Saint-Andéol Mountain House Renovation and Landscape Extension by Banquet Architects – A Contemporary Alpine Retreat Rooted in Nature

Located in the eastern foothills of the Vercors plateau within the protected Trièves nature reserve, the Saint-Andéol House Renovation and Extension by Banquet Architectsreimagines alpine living through a minimal, landscape-responsive design. Completed in 2023, this 50 m² addition transforms an existing mountain dwelling into a contemporary retreat that balances architectural rigor, environmental sensitivity, and panoramic immersion.

Context: Architecture Embedded in the Landscape

Situated a few kilometres from Gresse-en-Vercors, the house sits among scattered detached dwellings surrounded by dramatic mountain formations. The architects redefined the initial brief—rather than attaching a standard 50 m² extension directly to the existing structure, they designed an independent volume linked by a horizontal base. This base acts as both a connective threshold and a semi-outdoor living space, forming a belvedere that frames uninterrupted views of Mont Aiguille and the serrated “Dolomites du Trièves.”

The open transitional zone becomes a seasonal living room, enhancing outdoor comfort while establishing a gentle architectural bridge between old and new.

Design Approach: A Respectful Yet Contemporary Intervention

Banquet Architects adopted a design strategy centered on restraint and landscape integration. The extension’s simple geometry and horizontal emphasis echo the rugged topography while ensuring it does not visually overpower the mountain environment.

Earthworks were minimized to maintain a direct, honest relationship with the existing terrain, preserving the natural contours and ecological character of the site. This minimal-impact approach allows the new structure to settle naturally into the land rather than dominate it.

Framing Nature: Interior Atmospheres Shaped by Views

At 1100 meters altitude, the extension opens to vast alpine vistas. Each façade incorporates carefully calibrated window arrangements—some expansive, others intimate—to frame views of the Grand Veymont, Mont Aiguille, and the distant Belledonne massif.

The interplay of large and small apertures forms a series of natural tableaux that shift with the seasons, bringing dramatic light variations and constantly evolving atmospheres into the home. Interior warmth is enhanced by the palette of natural materials, creating a calm refuge amidst the sweeping landscape.

Materiality and Construction: A Contemporary Interpretation of the Alpine Chalet

The architectural system blends durability with organic expression. A site-cast concrete base provides visual continuity between the terrace and the extension while anchoring the building within the mountain slope. Above this base, a timber frame clad in larch defines the exterior, weathering over time to harmonize with its alpine surroundings.

Inside, birch paneling creates a warm, tactile environment and extends the chalet tradition in a refined contemporary language. The design embraces the idea of architecture as a living object—changing subtly as seasons shift, snow accumulates, or light moves across the façade.

A fully planted green roof enhances landscape integration, supports biodiversity, and contributes to natural insulation and rainwater management. This ecological layer softens the architecture’s profile and strengthens its environmental performance.

A Mountain Retreat Connected to Place

The Saint-Andéol House Renovation and Extension stands as a thoughtful reinterpretation of mountain living. Through simple forms, restrained interventions, and immersion in the surrounding environment, Banquet Architects deliver a project that respects the region’s natural beauty while offering a modern, light-filled refuge.

All photographs are works of Camille Lemonnier