Caldera House is the Height of Luxury Comfort
Photo: Courtesy of Douglas Friedman
Skiing is a favorite luxury past time, and while we’re past the golden age of the jetset in St. Moritz, the newly opened Caldera House in Jackson Hole is revamping the fashion of the winter sport at their new elevated ski lodge.
Memberships for the Caldera House ski club are over $100,000 to start, which sets it apart from the spaces in the area. As it only has around 100 members, it’s a fairly exclusive establishment, thus attracting guests who seek the best slopes and lodging, combined with exquisite personal service.
The renowned Los-Angeles based design studio, Commune, known for its esteemed work in architecture and various branches of design oversaw the elegant Caldera House. Combining the styles of Alpine skiing through the elements of Switzerland’s 50s and Gstaad in the 60s, as well as the Italian intricacies of Cortina, Commune’s branding of the Caldera House logo – a downhill skier – is quintessential to the style of the rest of the ski chalet.
Photo: Courtesy of Douglas Frienman
Roman Alonso, one of the two principals of Commune (alongside Steven Johanknecht) said the project came about after the client had visited some of the projects Commune designed for Ace Hotel, and appreciated the way that they each maintained their own personality connected to their locations. “They were looking for design that was sophisticated and alpine in feel but connected in a nuanced way to Jackson Hole,” says Alonso. “They wanted the spaces to feel unique for the location but somehow remain integrated to the surroundings, elevated and yet casual.” This brief would then turn into a minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired space focused on the texture and overall feel of a traditional ski chalet, brought to life by CLB Architects.
The resort was inspired by Charlotte Perriand’s Meribel Ski Resort in the Tarentaise Valley of the French Alps, Carlo Mollino’s Casa del Sole, as well as elements of mid-century modern Scandinavian design. The chalet incorporates ideas from the works of George Nakashima (American architect, woodworker, and one of the fathers of the American craft movement), Jean Prouvé (French metal worker, architect, and designer), as well as the work of local furniture and interior designer Thomas Molesworth. Other inspirations include 1950’s Sun Valley ski bums, and scenes from films such as Belle du Jour and Charade. Caldera House also features the craft of numerous contemporary artists and experts, such as Lindsey Adelman, BDDW, Nakashima Workshop, Axel Vervoordt, Michael Boyd, Caste and Heath Ceramics, among many others.
Photo: Courtesy of Douglas Friedman
The inside is not only cozy, but was designed to exhibit a “new type of luxury, rooted in comfort.” The surfaces are complete with natural finishes of the highest quality, including claro walnut, American oak, travertine, and unlacquered metals that “will age well with time and patina beautifully,” Alonso explains. A separate layer of comfort was also added to the furnishings and fabrics by adding cashmere, shearling, mohair, and handwoven fabrics. “Everything had to feel special and luxurious but not fussy or precious….it’s a fine line,” says Alonso. “Nothing pretentious.”
“Caldera House offers a mix of European sophistication with the comfort and casual attitude of the West,” Alonso concludes.
