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Modern Mountain Cabin Stands Outs In Spite Of Strict Architectural Guidelines

By Simona Ganea | Published on

Trying to be creative while being very limited in your options is never easy but rather than letting that discourage them, architecture studio Razavi perceived this as a challenge. They had to design and build a mountain cabin in a highly preserved Alpine valley from the Manigold region in France. Numerous very strict building regulations and architectural guidelines didn’t really leave much room for freedom. The architects had no say in deciding the building materials, window size or even the height and width ratio or roof slope. All these limitations made all the structures in the area look pretty much the same, as if they’re all mimicking the same exact design of a traditional mountain cabin.

The house is situated in a very beautiful Alpine valley with wonderful views and gorgeous landscapeView in gallery
The house is situated in a very beautiful Alpine valley with wonderful views and gorgeous landscape
The house has a 200 square meter total floor plan and was completed in 2017View in gallery
The house has a 200 square meter total floor plan and was completed in 2017
The upper floor has full-height windows and large openings which let the views and natural light insideView in gallery
The upper floor has full-height windows and large openings which let the views and natural light inside
The interior design is modern, minimalist and very welcomingView in gallery
The interior design is modern, minimalist and very welcoming

In spite of all the restrictions, the architects managed to make this mountain retreat look special. They made the structure entirely code-compliant and they respected all the rules but they found ways to insert their own style and to control the smaller details in their favor. They also got rid of all unnecessary elements present in the designs of local houses and simplified everything as much as possible. This allowed the house to look modern despite its traditional framework and to have character. This is a house that stands out while blending in.

Open balconies serve as extensions of the indoor living space, bringing users closer to natureView in gallery
Open balconies serve as extensions of the indoor living space, bringing users closer to nature
A custom double bunk bed system give this tiny bedroom a super warm and cozy lookView in gallery
A custom double bunk bed system give this tiny bedroom a super warm and cozy look
Wood-paneled walls and ceilings ensure a timeless, warm and inviting feel throughout the spacesView in gallery
Wood-paneled walls and ceilings ensure a timeless, warm and inviting feel throughout the spaces
The bathroom is compact, with wood and marble surfaces and a clear glass walk-in showerView in gallery
The bathroom is compact, with wood and marble surfaces and a clear glass walk-in shower
The spaces are generally small, including the main bedroom which has a modern look with rustic influencesView in gallery
The spaces are generally small, including the main bedroom which has a modern look with rustic influences
Wood is the primary building material and the main interior design finish for almost everythingView in gallery
Wood is the primary building material and the main interior design finish for almost everything
The small, square-shaped window gives this bedroom a very cozy and intimate lookView in gallery
The small, square-shaped window gives this bedroom a very cozy and intimate look
The views are from the living room which is situated on the upper floorView in gallery
The views are from the living room which is situated on the upper floor
The kitchen is upstairs as well. It's minimalist and open and furnished with dark gray cabinetryView in gallery
The kitchen is upstairs as well. It’s minimalist and open and furnished with dark gray cabinetry
Large windows expand across the top floor, letting in lots of light and magnificent views of the valleyView in gallery
Large windows expand across the top floor, letting in lots of light and magnificent views of the valley
The living room, kitchen and dining area form an open space but feel like individual, separate spacesView in gallery
The living room, kitchen and dining area form an open space but feel like individual, separate spaces