on a triangular lot that literally came to a sharp point, so we designed the architecture to come to that sharp point.” That chalet – which was ultimately called ‘The Crescendo’ – was also located on a steep slope, with the narrowest point of the property at the higher elevation fanning outwards. That added to the challenge and made a conventional design “all but impossible,” Denis recalls. His solution was a contemporary design, embedded into the mountain and turning the contours of the slope into “a feature rather than a flaw.” The design involved five floors fanning out from a circular staircase in a split-level fashion that embraced the elevation change. In addition, The Crescendo also boasted features including a ski-in breezeway and ski locker, custom wall-beds for guests, and breathtaking views from every room. There are also extravagant luxuries such as a 12-by-16-foot indoor-outdoor hot tub that is half-inside and half-outside. There is a window above the surface that divides that pool in two, allowing someone to swim under the glass. It featured nine jets inside, a resistance pump outside, and an exterior surround that was heated to snow-melt temperatures. The finished product is offered as a vacation rental. The owner has gifted Denis and his family vacations there several times, and Denis says “it’s always fun to read the guest book.” “People come and stay there from Europe and all over the world, and almost all of them have very nice things to say about the home we created,” he reports. “That’s always very gratifying to read.” One guest, in their review of The Crescendo, APRIL 2024
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