ILYA CORPORATION envisioned L’ALPAGE as a 12 room auberge set within the rich natural landscape of the Tateshina highlands, recalling the atmosphere of a French country estate. Named after the French word for “summer meadow”, the hotel was conceived as a place where guests could enjoy a gentle rhythm of life shaped by warmth, comfort and refined everyday living.

The project involved the rebuilding of a historic hotel that had long been beloved by the local community. Respecting this emotional legacy, ILYA CORPORATION developed a design that carefully blends old and new elements, avoiding ostentatious expression in favour of a calm and harmonious environment. The concept draws on the owner’s lifelong exposure to French lifestyle and culture, aiming to recreate the “comfortable normality” associated with French residences.

At the centre of the ground floor is a two storey atrium winter garden, around which the reception, restaurant, bar and other facilities are arranged. A fireplace anchors this space, while a large skylight allows natural light to pour in during the day, creating an outdoor like atmosphere. In the evening, the lighting transforms the garden into a more dramatic and intimate setting. Circulation corridors gently encircle this core, with artworks displayed along the walls to evoke the feeling of a small art museum.