Our Mission
Chalissima consists of over 150 architects, designers and carpenters. Active in the luxury construction industry for over 60 years in Switzerland and growing in Colorado and throughout the world since 2016. Committed to new ideas, innovation and creation, we believe that “Nothing ventured truly is nothing gained.” Our specialization is authentic alpine design, in the purest tradition or with some modern and creative adaptations. We own an inventory – unique in the world - of more than 5,000,000 board feet of carefully-selected reclaimed wood with fascinating histories. This wood is stored in our 120,000 sqft warehouse in Switzerland (which is definitely worth coming and visiting by the way).
Design & creativity - Antique Woodwork - Master Craftmanship
We use the noblest materials, paying particular attention to the wood that defines them. The lumber we use is always between 200 and 350 years old, with a patiently acquired patina that gives any construction an unrivalled natural result, impossible to replicate with chemical stains. To find it, we scout out old Alpine cabins – or “mayen” - in Switzerland, Italy, Austria and further afield in order to reclaim authentic lumber, never aged by artificial techniques.
Our inventory offers a choice of character (axe hewn or smoothly planed), siding and shingles (antique wood, “cat’s claws”, or plank style) and ceiling timber (structural axe hewn beams or Heidi style…). We combine traditional methods and new technologies to give the “mayen” of the past a second life. Building with wood using traditional methods requires exceptionally skilled professionals: machines may be increasingly sophisticated but every detail is always finished by hand to ensure authenticity and quality.