Sir Norman Foster’s House of the Future in St. Moritz

He is one of Britain’s most revered architects, with projects around the world ranging from the supersized Beijing Airport to Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California. Yet Norman Foster has a particular affinity for the Swiss mountain resort of St Moritz. A well-connected destination with year-round appeal, it’s a place he has returned to many times. Foster has also worked on several projects in the town, including the Posthaus restaurant and The Murezzan – a substantial development that encompasses two hotels, apartments, and retail stores.

Yet if there is one project that really defines Foster’s impact here, it is Chesa Futura. This rounded, three-story apartment building exhibits the dynamic form and innovative appearance of a Norman Foster creation, but combines this with native materials and contextual references. Built in conjunction with local architect Arnd Küchel, the landmark property features a timber framework and is coated in a quarter of a million locally sourced larch shingles.

Perched upon the Corviglia hillside, Chesa Futura overlooks the exclusive village of St. Moritz and the Alps. The Chantarella funicular is moments away, offering an open invitation to ski the slopes of one of the best ski resorts in the world.

The luxurious living spaces frame magical village and mountain views. Chesa Futura is located within minutes of the glamorous attractions of St. Moritz: world-class shopping, dining, nightlife, and recreation. In addition to excellent skiing and winter sports, the resort is also a summer paradise for hiking, kite-surfing, mountain biking, and golf.

The tailored interiors feature bespoke elements and dynamic statement pieces, all inspired by the curvaceous architecture of the building itself.

The dining room flows out to the south-facing terrace and features a dramatic sculptured chandelier.

“Chesa Futura is unique,” says Michael Blaser of Wüst und Wüst AG. “Architecturally there’s just nothing comparable in the Alps.

The master suite features a private terrace of its own, as well as a luxuriously appointed bathroom with rounded wooden bathtub and an adjoining hammam.

“The design was driven by the views and the orientation, which generated complex lines in space,” Foster has said. “It’s very alive.” The bubblelike form of Chesa Futura, which means “house of the future” in Romansch, one of Switzerland’s four national languages, has an organic quality reinforced by its coat of textured wood, echoing the traditional mountain chalets of the region. Substantial terraces create sheltered outdoor rooms with breathtaking views of the snow-capped Alps, while also introducing a rich quality of natural light.

One of the largest of the five apartments at Chesa Futura, with a prime mid-level position, is now being marketed by Michael Blaser of Wüst und Wüst AG, an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate. “With 320 sunny days a year, the climate here is also great, and the scenery is outstanding; the surrounding lakes, forests, and snowy peaks make this property a temptation all year round.”

In St Moritz, outstanding scenery, a very special kind of light, and the curvaceous beauty of this unique Norman Foster-designed Alpine property will take your breath away.

The state-of-the-art 5,920-square-foot, five-bedroom apartment has a vast open-plan living room with wall-to-ceiling windows that frame breathtaking mountain views.

[ Excerpt from Christie’s International Real Estate’s 2015 Luxury Edition — A curated collection of the world’s finest properties. Explore more properties here ]

Photography by Bill Kingston