Urfeld 26

There’s a very special place right at the top of the chalet in Urfeld, just below the ridge: A cushioned lounger positioned under a generous skylight between the sky and the hillside. Lying here, you can gaze at the tips of the fir trees and the vastness of the sky—and forget for a moment that you’re inside a house. In fact, it feels like there’s no boundary between inside and out, as if the building has decided to move a little closer to the landscape. But it’s not only here that the magnificent vista offered by the hillside location has been thoughtfully considered. From the terrace decks, you can enjoy the turquoise, shimmering Walchensee lake and the forest landscape—unwinding in the sauna is even more relaxing, gazing upon those swathes of blue and green. During the renovation of the 1960s house located on the northern tip of the Alpine lake, the natural surroundings were taken into account—in every respect. Here, sustainability is a priority, and existing and regional materials were primarily used in the renovation. The new roof truss, the façade, and the custom-made fixtures are made of local silver fir, and the wood from the old building was reused for the floorboards. The minimalist design, characterized by clean lines, has already won several awards, including the German Design Award 2021. The interior focuses on the quintessential, offering plenty of space to relax and let your thoughts run free. Not only is there a cushioned lounger platform in the loft, which can be reached via an elegant wooden staircase, but also many other places in and around the house where you can feel close to nature—and wonderfully far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• In the course of the renovation by the Munich-based architectural firm Arnold / Werner, the dated vacation home was remodeled to showcase the great panorama.
• The curved building envelope, which was designed using regional silver fir, blends harmoniously into the landscape.
• The ambience of the interiors, which convey a sense of calm thanks to the focus on a few natural materials and the restrained color scheme
• The carefully selected furniture and home textiles from Kvadrat, &Tradition, and Space Copenhagen
• The living area, which has a beautifully airy feel thanks to its open-plan design and the use of pastel mint green, white, and light wood, charmingly combines retro with minimalism.
• The bedroom on the gallery, which has the feel of a cabin, provides a super cozy retreat.
• The view of the mountains, forest, and lake, which has been taken into account throughout: In the open floor plan, seating areas with a view, and the newly installed gallery windows
• The great attention to detail that gives this house its personality: The wardrobe with pine green fronts, the rope handrail for the stairs, the antique bench in Norbert Wangen’s designer kitchen, and the splashes of color in the form of bright red lights
• You can create your own little spa moments in the Finnish sauna, the outdoor shower, and the bathroom with underfloor and wall heating.
• The terraced outdoor areas, surrounded by lots of greenery and offering plenty of beautiful seating areas to enjoy the view
• Walchensee lake, which has an almost unreal water color, is only a few steps away.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• The 80-square-meter house can accommodate two to six people. It has two double beds, and two children can sleep in the gallery bedroom.
• Young guests are very welcome here—a high chair, crib, and travel cot are available.
• Adapted to the hillside location, the first floor is divided into two levels: The kitchen and bathroom are in the upper area, a few steps down are the living room and bedroom, and there’s another bedroom on the gallery.
• The open-plan kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, induction hob, espresso maker, Nespresso capsule machine, toaster, and SodaStream.
• Thanks to the photovoltaic panels on the roof and the fireplace, the house can be run self-sufficiently in all seasons.
• Equipment for cozy indoor moments: TV with satellite reception, WiFi, Bluetooth sound system, books, reading material, and board games
• The area is perfect for an active vacation. Nearby, you can go hiking, mountain biking or road cycling, and explore the lake by rowboat, sailboat, pedal boat or SUP; you can also windsurf, fish, ski, and cross-country ski.
• If you feel like an adventure, head to the Walchensee Museum, the Franz Marc Museum or the Glentleiten Open-Air Museum, or relax at the Kristall Therme Trimini spa.
• Getting there: The nearest airport is Innsbruck, a good 60 minutes away by car; the nearest train station is Kochel, 15 minutes away by car. The Kochel a. See Urfeld bus stop is a one-minute walk away.
• Minimum stay of seven nights in high season.