Nature & Sens

Situation

The “Nature et Sens” project involves the construction of 15 wooden villas in the charming village of Aproz, in the commune of Nendaz, in the heart of the Valais canton, near Sion. Designed to offer a harmonious, sustainable living environment, the project favors environmentally-friendly materials and advanced technical solutions. The villas, designed in a “CLT” (Cross Laminated Timber) structure with the wood visible inside, combine contemporary aesthetics with respect for the environment.

The 15 villas are divided into 11 3.5-room semi-detached villas and 4 single-family homes, ranging from 2.5 to 5.5 rooms. Each home features rendered facades on the first floor and anthracite metal sheeting on the upper floor, emphasizing a clean, modern style. The project configuration includes a single technical room for all 15 villas, facilitating energy management and reducing infrastructure costs. Photovoltaic panels cover the roofs, meeting the most demanding ecological standards, such as the CECB-AA label.

Design

The architects adopted a flexible approach, allowing future owners to personalize their villas. This freedom of modification required several adaptations and meticulous upstream planning by Alpenda, ensuring a perfect match with the purchasers’ expectations.

Construction

The structure of the villas rests on an insulated concrete raft, while the CLT walls are protected by rockwool insulation and clad in high-quality materials for enhanced durability. Energy solutions include a shared geothermal heat pump, guaranteeing exemplary thermal and acoustic performance.

Challenges

The project proved demanding in several respects, not least because of the precautions required to integrate the technical installations without compromising the aesthetic appearance of the exposed wooden walls. Each villa was modeled in 3D to anticipate connection points and validate the necessary recesses with precision. Technical management involved qualified partners, such as Valtherm Tech Sàrl for heating, ventilation and sanitation, and BTE SA for electricity.

Despite a six-month delay in obtaining the building permit, the villas will be delivered two months ahead of schedule, testifying to the efficient coordination between all those involved. This project, in line with modern expectations in terms of eco-responsibility and space optimization, is also distinguished by its careful integration into the Valais landscape, meeting the requirements of the Rhone flood zone.

This innovative project, supported by Alpenda, represents a successful alliance between modernity, architectural flexibility and sustainability, meeting the aspirations of customers seeking comfort and connection with nature.