The Chavants Lake Recreation Area: a Sensitive and Strategic Site
Designed as an open natural space for everyone, the site called for a transformation that would feel effortless, deeply rooted in its surroundings, and free from artifice. At the foot of Mont Blanc, our approach was guided by restraint and respect. This is a landscape that demands humility: in such a grand setting, our ambition was to design a project that is discreet, clear, and inseparable from its place. To work at Chavants Lake is to accept stepping back, so that the landscape itself can come forward; it is about reimagining a living space in constant dialogue with nature.
Beyond the landscape itself, the project is also part of a broader vision led by the municipality: diversifying its offer and providing activities across all seasons. In a territory long shaped by winter tourism, the development of Chavants Lake reflects a conscious move to adapt to climate change by encouraging a more balanced, year-round use of the site. The lake thus becomes a tool for transition, welcoming residents and visitors alike throughout the year.
We structured the site around its central element: the lake, a mirror of the wider landscape. All our design decisions sought to improve how the public experiences the site throughout the year, while enhancing activities without losing sight of its natural identity. By clarifying circulation, redefining entrances, and optimizing parking without compromising the view, we created a calm, legible space. It is a site for walking and cycling, for play and sport—where simplicity is the guiding principle.
With an awareness of both the site’s fragility and the municipality’s climate transition goals, we favored subtle, nature-oriented interventions: reed beds, spawning grounds, and the reinforcement of wetlands. The use of durable materials and the care given to every detail affirm our commitment to a landscape design that respects and strengthens its territory.
Project Data
Landscape architecture: Atelier LJN
Other designers involved in the design of landscape: Urbathème (architect), Alp’VRD (Engineering)
Project location: Les Houches, Haute-Savoie, France
Year completed: 2024
Photo credits: Christophe LECARDRONNEL
