chalet

A typical chalet in the Swiss Alps

A chalet ( /ˈʃæleɪ/), also called Swiss chalet, is a type of building or house, native to the Alpine region, made of wood, with a heavy, gently sloping roof with wide, well-supported eaves set at right angles to the front of the house.^[1]

Definition and origin

The term chalet stems from Arpitan speaking part of Switzerland and French Savoy and originally referred to the hut of a herder. It derives from the medieval Latin calittum, which might come from an Indo-European root cala that means shelter.

A 'chalet' in the hills to the east of Orosí, Costa Rica

Many chalets in the European Alps were originally used as seasonal farms for dairy cattle which would be brought up from the lowland pastures during the summer months. The herders would live in the chalet and make butter and cheese in order to preserve the milk produced. These products would then be taken, with the cattle, back to the low valleys before the onset of the alpine winter. The chalets would remain locked and unused during the winter months. Around many chalets there are small windowless huts called mazots which were used to lock away valuable items for this period.

Modern international usage

A holiday 'chalet' in the Blue Ridge Mountains

With the emergence of the Alpine travel business, chalets were transformed into vacation houses used by ski and hiking enthusiasts. Over the years the term chalet transformed to its modern general meaning of a vacation house built in an Alpine style. In Quebec French, any summer or vacation dwelling, especially near a ski hill, is called a chalet whether or not it is built in the style of a Swiss chalet.

Nowadays, in North America and elsewhere in the world, the use of the word, chalet, can refer to more than just a mountain location. The term chalet is even used to describe resort like homes or residential properties located by the beach. For example, in Lebanon a chalet usually refers to vacation homes at one of the six Lebanese ski resorts, but the term can also refer to a beach cabin at seaside resorts^[2]. In North American ski areas, the word Chalet is also used to describe buildings that house cafeterias and other services provided to the tourist, even though may not resemble a traditional Alpine chalet.

See also

• Villa
• Cottage
• Bungalow
• American Craftsman
• Mar del Plata style
• Lodge

Bibliography

• Dana, William Sumner Barton (1913), The Swiss Chalet Book; A Minute Analysis and Reproduction of the Chalets of Switzwerland, Obtained by a Special Visit to That Country, Its Architects, and Its Chalet Homes (reprinted 2009 by Nabu Press) ISBN 1172292671
• Galindo, Michelle (2009), Chalet Architecture and Design, Braun Architecture AG ISBN 3037680210

References