At the foot of Mont Blanc, nestled on the slopes of Courmayeur, House Montagna stands as a contemporary refuge shaped by nature’s rhythm. Once a humble mountain chalet, it has been reimagined by the Belgian collective Maison Osaïn into a place where simplicity and serenity define the experience of living. The structure, rebuilt almost entirely from local materials, opens directly to the alpine landscape — where light, texture, and silence become the true architecture. Strategically positioned at the edge of the ski slopes, the house balances rugged authenticity with refined craftsmanship. Inside, aged oak and soft grey concrete create a dialogue between warmth and restraint; each space flows naturally into the next, framing views of the valley and the peaks beyond. Behind this transformation stands Maison Osaïn, founded in 2022 by architect Thomas Maria Verschuren and designer Ann Butaye.

A SANCTUARY ON THE MONT BLANC SLOPES — A PLACE TO EXHALE 

House Montagna is a renovated chalet that feels both authentic and new. How did you balance its mountain heritage with a contemporary language?

We wanted to honor the spirit of the region — not replicate the past, but reinterpret it with integrity. The chalet was almost entirely rebuilt using local materials. Its exterior echoes traditional alpine homes: slate stones and timber-framed windows anchor it in its surroundings. For the interiors, we sourced aged oak planks that already carried traces of life. Their imperfections bring depth and authenticity.

To balance the warmth of the reclaimed wood, we introduced rough concrete and microcement for the walls and floors — soft grey tones that let the timber breathe. It’s this contrast between old and new, rustic and refined, that gives the house its serene, timeless quality. A sanctuary carved into the Mont Blanc slopes; a place to exhale after a long day on the mountain.

The project was conceived as a place to disconnect. How did you translate calm, simplicity, and slowness into spatial design and material choices?

The project was conceived as a refuge — a place to disconnect and slow down. Given its modest footprint of 50 square meters per floor over three levels, the design focused on openness and flow. Built-in benches along the perimeter walls double as storage and accommodate functions such as en suite bathrooms. This keeps the central space open — light-filled, transparent, and connected. By avoiding corridors and partitions, a natural continuity emerges: visual connections, shifting perspectives, and a quiet dialogue between spaces. This openness nurtures awareness — of one another, of light, of the surrounding landscape. It’s an architecture of calm and connection. 

The material palette was deliberately restrained: wood and concrete. The warmth of timber meets the raw honesty of concrete. The natural hue of the wood asserts a gentle presence against the soft grey surfaces. This simplicity invites mental stillness — allowing materials to speak their own language, unadorned and unhurried.

CONCRETE CAPTURES THE RAW STRENGTH OF THE PEAKS, WHILE WOOD ECHOES THE SLENDER TREES ALONG THE RIDGES, BRINGING WARMTH AND TACTILITY WITHIN 

The chalet stands at the edge of the slopes, surrounded by mountains. How did the landscape — its light, textures, and rhythm — influence your architectural and interior decisions?

Perched at the edge of the slopes, the chalet lives in close dialogue with its surroundings. We believe architecture should bring nature as near as possible — not as a framed view, but as an experience that seeps into daily life. Concrete reflects the rawness of the peaks, their strength and permanence. Wood mirrors the slender trees tracing the ridgelines, adding warmth and tactility to the interiors. Together, they create a language that feels both grounded and serene — a tactile translation of the landscape itself.

When the slopes fall silent at dusk, the mountain turns still. In that calm isolation, the chalet becomes a cocoon for reflection and shared presence. Its quiet simplicity invites closeness — a reminder that stillness is not emptiness, but depth.

Maison Osaïn works closely with local artisans, artists, and partners. What does collaboration mean to you, and how do these creative exchanges shape the final atmosphere of your spaces? 

We see ourselves less as architects imposing a vision and more as curators of space, creating a framework in which others can bring their mastery to life. We deeply believe in the synergy that emerges when different disciplines meet. This openness means the process is never entirely predictable — and that’s what makes it exciting. The key is trust: finding partners who understand your philosophy and can interpret it through their own craft.

For instance, we told the local carpenter we wanted to work with wood that already had a life behind it. He took us to his workshop, where he had gathered reclaimed boards, each with its own story. From these, he crafted the cabinetry, beds, and kitchen — pieces that carried warmth and history into the new space. 

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Because the site was perched high on the mountain, sometimes only accessible by cable car or helicopter, the process was unpredictable. We often didn’t know exactly how things would look until they arrived. Yet every surprise was a good one. It’s in these moments — where trust meets craftsmanship — that the true soul of a project emerges.

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Natural and circular materials are central to your philosophy. How do you define sustainability in practice — beyond material selection — and how did this idea manifest in House Montagna?

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A sustainable home, to us, is one that remains relevant through time — not because it follows fashion, but because it embodies balance and permanence. Its simplicity gives it longevity. Its restraint gives it strength.

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In House Montagna, this philosophy guided every decision. The chalet draws from traditional mountain materials but reinterprets them through a contemporary lens. It feels both rooted and renewed — honest and enduring.

THE TURNING POINT WAS DEEPLY PERSONAL

Maison Osaïn brings together two perspectives — architecture and design, logic and emotion. How do you divide roles when working together on a project? Does the process merge naturally?

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When a man and a woman design together, both the masculine and the feminine find their way into the space. That duality lies at the heart of Maison Osaïn — structure and softness, reason and intuition, function and feeling. Although it might seem the opposite, Ann is often the more practical one when it comes to planning. She designs from lived experience — thinking about flow, comfort, and how people truly inhabit a space. I tend to start from concept — from atmosphere, proportion, and the emotional resonance of an idea. Ann’s touch defines a home’s warmth and sense of belonging, while I focus on its technical and architectural framework. Material and color decisions are always shared — a dialogue where instinct meets precision. 

Maison Osaïn was born from a desire to give deeper meaning to the idea of home. What led you to create this platform, and what values guide your work today?

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The turning point was deeply personal. When Ann fell ill, we were confronted with life’s fragility. Caring for one another became a quiet ritual that reshaped our idea of home — extending beyond emotion to what we surround ourselves with, from nourishing food to honest, tactile materials. This experience shaped our philosophy: natural materials, chosen with intention, create spaces where people can truly thrive. Color, texture, and scent are not decorative but essential — awakening the senses and calming the mind.

Our work is guided by a set of values we defined early on: care, stillness, sincerity. Nature as a compass. Beauty as a language. A home that quietly nourishes the soul.

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If you had to describe the essence of Maison Osaïn in one sentence — not as a brand, but as a way of living — what would it be?

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As our baseline says: Sincere living. To us, that means living with intention — surrounded only by what feels true and meaningful. It’s about embracing simplicity not as absence, but as depth. Creating spaces that breathe honesty, warmth, and quiet strength. Sincere living is not just a design philosophy — it’s a way of being: gentle, grounded, and deeply human.

- The full story is featured in Vol.17 -