Bringing architecture and environment together in Crans-Montana

From the subterranean arrival sequence that echoes the mountain’s geological layers to the near‑zero‑emission heating system powered by reclaimed sawdust, Six Senses Crans‑Montana stands at the crossroads of architecture, ecology, and Alpine culture

Six Senses Crans-Montana: the arrival

Perhaps nowhere is the architects’ commitment to storytelling more evident than in the dramatic entrance to Six Senses Crans-Montana. Guests arrive via a roadway that burrows below the mountain—a deliberate choice, reminiscent of descending into the geological layers. This tunnel, described as a “promise of what is to come,” was conceived to create a multi-sensory experience. Transitioning from bright alpine sunlight to a protective, subterranean world, visitors are gradually introduced to the design language of the resort.

High in the Swiss Alps, perched at an elevation that guarantees both sweeping mountain panoramas and a sense of isolation, Six Senses Crans-Montana redefines what a high-end alpine resort can be. Brought to life by the architectural firm AW², with a guiding philosophy rooted in merging design with local heritage, this property is as much a love letter to the Valais region as it is an inspired leap into the future of hospitality.

Crans-Montana: The Origins of a Vision

Crans-Montana’s past is woven from strands of agricultural heritage and emerging tourism. The first hotels that appeared in the early 20th century coexisted with—and often depended upon—local farmers, dairy producers, and cheesemakers. These influences remain palpable to this day, coloring the region’s culinary traditions, community festivals, and built environment. AW²’s approach has been to gather these threads and weave them into a coherent design philosophy.

The architects sought to embed the spirit of the Valais region into the resort’s DNA. It was not enough to replicate the iconic chalet style or simply source local wood; the goal was a deeper synergy, one where the property would appear to have emerged from the mountain itself—rooted in place, shaped by local references, and anchored in historical authenticity. This vision manifests in everything from the façade materials to the shape of the balconies, reflecting both the Alpine identity and modern principles of responsible construction.

AW²’s design process: Architecture and Environment in Harmony

AW²’s design process, seen at projects around the globe, always begins by respecting the local environment. In Crans-Montana, that meant integrating the mountainous topography, glacial climate, and traditions of Alpine farming into the blueprint. The guiding question: how can architecture align with nature, rather than dominate it?

Central to this ethos is the palette of raw materials—primarily stone and wood—chosen for their ability to connect the interior spaces with the rugged outdoors. Local quartzite, larch, and references to Valais shapes all come together to tell the story of this land. Each material was selected not only for aesthetic or functional reasons but also for its ability to form an authentic relationship with the environment.

This commitment goes beyond the surface. The synergy extends to engineering solutions that conserve resources, tapping into local supply chains, and ensuring that the resort’s carbon footprint remains as minimal as possible. The result is a clear identity. From the forest to the ski slopes, from the orchard to the cheese dairy, the entire region’s heritage shapes the design narrative.

A canopy designed by woodworker Steven Leprizé

Passed the tunnel, At the drop-off point, guests pass under a canopy designed by woodworker Steven Leprizé—a masterpiece called “Arc,” crafted from poplar. Its crystalline geometry mimics a mineral structure, evoking the notion of rock strata transformed into organic lines. Immediately, materials begin a conversation: the mineral hardness of the mountains meets the pliable warmth of the timber canopy, setting the tone for the interplay that continues indoors.

Once inside the lobby, guests are greeted by a tableau of wood, stone, and light. Pine branches and needles arranged artfully near the entrance echo the forests that surround the property. Lighting fixtures—designed by craftsman M.A.Aston—add a softness that balances the earthy feel. The walls boast a mineral texture, complementing the wooden lattices fashioned by André Weidé. There is a sense of warmth, despite the subterranean environment. This is the first step of acclimatization: an arrival that feels both hidden and nurturing, like stumbling upon a secret chamber in the heart of the mountain.

Walls are clad in textural linen by Ateliers Gohard

Emerging from the underground arrival, the journey continues upward to the suites. Rough-hewn wood paneling nods to traditional chalet construction. Walls are clad in textural linen by Ateliers Gohard, whose grain appears almost stratified, evoking the mountain’s geological layers that visitors have just traversed.

Stone from Blanc Carrara frames the bathrooms, continuing the minerality introduced at the lobby and reinforcing the concept of rooms being carved directly from the mountain. Private balconies overlook the resort and ski slopes, bringing the grandeur of the Alps into everyday view. Colors—soft earth tones, shimmering metallics, and muted neutrals—intentionally echo the natural elements. A guest’s first impression is of a space that feels warm, secure, and intimately linked with nature outside.

The feeling of immersion extends to every piece of furniture, which is selected or custom-made to blend seamlessly with the architectural narrative. This is neither arbitrary decoration nor an eclectic mix of styles; it is a holistic ensemble carefully orchestrated to reinforce the resort’s identity. Curved lines mirror the curved edges of the wood paneling, while occasional rough textures match the raw stone surfaces. Materials are repeated in different forms, ensuring an unbroken continuity of design.

The Indoor Swimming Pool at the Six Senses Crans-Montana: 14,000 suspended poplar strips

One of the best examples of AW²’s “destination within a destination” approach is the indoor swimming pool. Here, the same principles used throughout the resort—careful use of stone, references to suspended wood, interplay of light—are applied to create an environment reminiscent of a tranquil mountain cave. The walls and floor are stone, while the sculpted ceiling consists of 14,000 suspended poplar strips (also created by Arc², the studio that designed the arrival canopy).

Light seeps in gently, augmented by reflections off the pool’s surface. The effect is mesmerizing: a dance of shadows and glimmers that change with the seasons. Through large windows, birch trees in the garden filter sunlight, connecting this enclosed oasis with the ever-shifting outdoors. This space is less about swimming laps and more about the meditative experience of floating in clear, mirror-like water, suspended between mountain stone and an artful tapestry of wood above.

2,000 square meters of Spa area

Occupying more than 2,000 square meters, the spa is a centerpiece of Six Senses Crans-Montana. It draws on Montana’s historical identity as a health-oriented destination. Spas and “cure resorts” featured prominently in the early 20th century, and the modern incarnation nods to that heritage.

In the spa, guests encounter a design language of softly rounded corners and dimmed lighting. Timber specialists Wider constructed the treatment rooms to feel like mountain huts nestled in a forest. Light is filtered from an Alpine garden just outside. Each hut-like chamber is clad in wood, evoking the sensation of being in a tranquil nest, insulated from the hustle of daily life. The wet treatment area, carved out of the mountain with curved mineral surfaces, amplifies this womb-like, restorative ambiance. It is a carefully choreographed world where mineral strength meets watery stillness.

The Alpine Garden: Breathing Life into the Architectural Core

Early 20th-century hotels in the region often contained central gardens. One of the most striking elements of the property is the Alpine garden nestled within the building’s footprint. This large, open space is landscaped exclusively with plants and trees endemic to the Valais region. Sunlight flows in, and guests can walk through the garden on a suspended wooden footbridge—a modern homage to “bisse,” the historical irrigation channels that snake through Valais mountainsides.

This addition serves multiple purposes: it provides fresh air, frames interior façades, and draws natural light into the spa and other key areas.

The Podium: Embracing the Alpine Horizon

Between two chalet-like structures, on a stone podium, guests find the main outdoor swimming pool. Flanked by forest to one side and open views of the Alps to the other, it celebrates the privilege of the resort’s location. Morning sunlight streams from the east, turning every swim into a golden-hued memory. The podium also accommodates a fireplace, informal seating areas, and even an outdoor cinema. Whether sipping mulled wine in winter or cozying up to watch a film, guests enjoy a direct relationship with the environment, reminded at every turn of the region’s staggering beauty.

Communal Areas: The Pathways of a Narrative Journey

All of the communal spaces—corridors, lounges, library, smoking room, kid lounge—continue the resort’s narrative journey. Even the bespoke carpets, designed to resemble snowy landscapes or meandering Alpine rivers, speak to the sense of place.

Furniture by Reda Amalou Design, along with carefully placed lighting, ensures cohesion. The bar, lounges, and library become destinations in themselves, each with its own mood and reference points to Alpine life. The bar, for instance, features a Villa stone counter crafted by Blanc Carrara, echoing the mineral anchors found in other public spaces. Shelving with open-worked wooden cabinets visually unites these areas, while vintage furnishings add elements of warmth and nostalgia. The result is that drifting from lounge to restaurant feels like walking through chapters of a story told by wood, stone, and subtle lighting.

Wild Cabin, the property’s main restaurant, forms a bright and cheerful pivot point for guests. South-oriented windows flood the space with sunlight. Surrounded by vertical wooden panels, the restaurant harnesses light in a narrative sense: after leaving the more shadowy subterranean arrival, guests step into an airy dining area that resonates with positivity and Alpine views. It’s a nod to the region’s sunny disposition and a place to take in the mesmerizing landscape while sampling local dishes.

Sustainability at Six Senses Crans-Montana

Behind these architectural triumphs lies a resolute commitment to the planet. Space heating comes entirely from a biomass boiler fed with sawdust pellets—a by‑product of nearby timber mills—eliminating the need for fossil fuels. Closed‑loop systems harvest surplus heat from kitchens, the spa, and technical rooms, feeding it back into the resort’s thermal network. Electricity is drawn from the Swiss hydropower grid and topped up by solar panels installed on south‑facing roofs, while motion sensors, LEDs, and a smart building‑management platform allow whole wings to “hibernate” during low season. Air quality benefits from MERV‑13 filtration, and pool water passes through ultraviolet and activated‑carbon stages that halve chemical use.

The Earth Lab inside the Six Senses Crans-Montana

Open each day under the guidance of Sustainability Director Dominic Dubois, the Earth Lab turns theory into practice. Guests and local students render used cooking oil into aromatic candles, lacto‑ferment tired vegetables, and transform scrap paper into handmade stationery. Live dashboards track food waste; monitoring stations log solar‑panel output; technicians fine‑tune filtration matrices for the pool. The lab invites everyone to see sustainability not as a slogan, but as a series of concrete, repeatable actions.

Alpine water with a natural pH of 8.2 is filtered on site and bottled in view of passers‑by. Rinsing, filling, and sealing unfold in a compact line whose precision would satisfy any Swiss watchmaker. The process removes single‑use plastic, spares thousands of transport kilometres, and saves the hotel roughly CHF 4,000 to 5,000 per month—proof that fiscal and environmental interests can align.

Circular Practices, Biodiversity, People and Purpose

A composting station converts more than a tonne of organic scraps into rich humus for landscaping, while pastry off‑cuts travel to a nearby design school, where students press them into biobased materials for creative projects. These loops illustrate the resort’s conviction that waste is only a resource awaiting a new purpose.

DNA analysis led by horticulturist Nicolas Lorétan has unearthed twenty‑two heritage fruit varieties in the Valais, four previously undocumented. Grafts now grow in specialist nurseries and will populate a “living museum” in the Ayent school district, allowing pupils and farmers to taste—and one day cultivate—fruits once thought lost. Outside the orchards, five beehives and two insect hotels support pollinators critical to alpine meadows. Embedded sensors monitor hive humidity and temperature, reducing intrusive checks and offering data for a planned live webcam.

Half a percent of annual revenue feeds a Sustainability Fund that supports a local food bank, pollinator meadow restoration, orchard revival, and research into wolf–human coexistence. New hires are asked about mindful consumption and community engagement, ensuring the sustainability mindset starts on day one and flows through every department, from finance to housekeeping.

Samuel Hernest