In brief
- The Le Rucher d’Evolène project enhances a complex of fifteen historic buildings in the heart of the Val d’Hérens in Switzerland.
- The first phase reveals the seven-bedroom Hôtel Le Central, connected by an underground passage to a cave-like stone spa.
- The architectural firm Alp’Architectures is orchestrating this bold restoration, combining traditional square timbers, soapstone and corten steel.
A major project for Evolène
This Friday, the preserved village in the Val d’Hérens unveils a new model of heritage hospitality with the opening of Le Rucher, a hotel in Evolène designed by the Alp’Architectures firm through the restoration of historic buildings. This major project, actively supported by the Valais municipality, breathes subtle modernity into the municipality’s traditional architecture. By combining the restoration of Hôtel Le Central with that of century-old chalets and traditional granaries, the establishment lays the foundations for high-end tourism rooted in the pursuit of regional identity.
A hotel in Evolène reinvented
At the origin of the project, the plan was merely to renovate a traditional hotel establishment. However, the architects at Alp’Architectures chose to completely rethink the concept, extending it to around fifteen buildings scattered throughout the historic centre of Evolène. This scattered hotel concept makes it possible to preserve the authenticity of an unspoilt village while providing the modern comfort demanded by today’s travellers. Hôtel Le Central, located opposite the village church, opens its doors this week alongside two restored chalets and two ancient barns entirely converted in keeping with the local character.
The dialogue of stone and metal
Authenticity in the heart of Valais
The architectural authenticity of the Val d’Hérens harmonises particularly well with measured contemporary innovations. To achieve this, the designers paired antique timber and period masonry with subtle touches of corten steel. The ancient timber and rubble-stone structures were preserved, enhanced by modern elements such as adding windows to hay barns that historically had none. This approach makes it possible to offer bespoke holiday accommodation, ranging from fully appointed hotel rooms to characterful apartments within chalets and ancient barns transformed into intimate sanctuaries.
The technical challenges of a high-altitude construction site
Carrying out work of such precision in a densely built environment required genuine technical feats. Installing construction cranes in the village’s winding, bustling alleyways posed a major logistical challenge for the teams. The municipality also took advantage of this momentum to modernise the pipework network adjacent to Hôtel Le Central. Inside the historic building, the establishment houses a grotto-like stone spa reminiscent of the mysterious atmosphere of the underground lake of Saint-Léonard. The acquisition of an adjoining barn along the way also enabled the hotel to expand, adding a decorative Alpine garden and bringing the current capacity to seven rooms.
Design and subtle modernity
Access to the upper floors is via a spectacular staircase, composed of hundreds of hand-assembled timber pieces and adorned with a corten steel sculpture created by an Italian artists’ collective. The old rubble-stone walls have been meticulously restored, while the original beamwork has been highlighted, setting the aesthetic tone for the entire hotel project.
The next stages of development
Towards high-end tourism
The transformation of Evolène does not end with this first phase. Next year, the project will continue its rollout with several major openings. Next year will see the opening of a fine-dining restaurant within a historic former village guesthouse. The architects are also working on extending the hotel capacity by converting the building adjacent to Central and restoring Hôtel Ermitage, a true Belle Époque architectural landmark. A small cultural centre will complete this ensemble dedicated to the Valaisan art de vivre and culture.
La Revue’s take on this model
This major restoration proves that preserving historic heritage can align with the demands of a more conscious luxury. This subtle dialogue between Alpine authenticity and contemporary architecture is orchestrated by the Alp’Architectures firm.
