Chalet 1936 Reimagines Alpine Living with Reclaimed Charm

Tucked into the slopes of Verbier at 1,500 meters above sea level, Chalet 1936 is the latest project by interior designer Marianne Tiegen. Once a hotel, the building has been thoughtfully reimagined as a private alpine home for a family from London. Rather than relying on new construction or modern minimalism, the project leans heavily into the character of reuse—tapping into the language of reclaimed materials, artisanal techniques, and time-worn finishes. The result is a residence where materiality and memory shape the experience of space.

A Designer Grounded in Storytelling

Marianne Tiegen is not a designer who follows trends. With offices in Switzerland, France, and California, her work is rooted in the textures of history and the nuances of place. For Chalet 1936, Tiegen drew from her background in residential and hospitality design to compose a space that feels both lived-in and distinctly bespoke. Her practice centers around what she describes as “material integrity and personal storytelling,” which comes through clearly in every corner of this project. Each object has provenance, whether it’s a zinc farm gutter turned light fixture or a fireplace from another century, reinstalled with care.

Circular Design as Core Principle

The guiding logic behind the renovation was circular design—using what already exists, extending the life of the built environment, and favoring handmade over mass-produced. Tiegen sourced materials from antique markets, local dealers, and architectural salvage, working with artisans to modify pieces for their new setting. The building’s surfaces read like a material diary: limestone-based paint on the walls, cladding from dismantled barns, concrete countertops, and antique textiles used for bedding and upholstery. These components weren’t just added for visual texture—they were chosen for their ability to age in place, acquiring patina and character over time.

Living With the Past, Not Just Beside It

The home contains eight en suite bedrooms and a series of generously proportioned communal areas. Each space is designed with a consistent yet relaxed palette: soft creams, earthy browns, raw wood, aged metal, and stone. There’s no push for symmetry or polish; instead, the design invites imperfection and traces of previous use. In the dining room, a reclaimed oak table anchors the space under a suspended zinc gutter light. The office houses a mid-century Florence Knoll desk beside a collage of mercury mirrors. Even the pool area embraces a kind of nostalgia, featuring a salvaged neon hotel sign alongside custom loungers made from old timbers. The home doesn’t just preserve the past—it actively lives with it.

A Private Home With Public Intentions

Although Chalet 1936 is a private residence, it stands as part of a broader architectural conversation—one that values reuse, local craft, and long-term thinking. Tiegen’s work here resists the spectacle often found in alpine luxury properties. There’s no shine for the sake of shine, no sterile perfection. Instead, the house offers a warm, layered atmosphere that encourages reflection on how homes are made and remade over time. This is a project that doesn’t just sit in its environment—it’s built from it.

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