Some places don’t need to be reinvented, just rethought a little. For example, what was once a simple campsite on the edge of Aschau in Chiemgau has been transformed into a stylish, modern chalet village – without losing even a hint of its intimate connection to nature. On the contrary. With the Agrad Chalets, a place of power has been created that blends quietly into its surroundings and is luxurious without saying it out loud.
The realisation was anything but simple. The site – embedded in a sensitive moorland area – placed special demands on planning and construction. But it was precisely this challenge that became the strength of the project. With technical finesse and a deep respect for nature, the Bavarian architects brüderl created a place that blends harmoniously into its surroundings – instead of changing them.
The natural boundary of the area was strictly respected. Not a single blade of grass had to give way, not a trace of soil was moved unnecessarily. The result: a new village that looks as if it has always been there.
A total of twelve chalets and a corner building with 15 suites form the centrepiece of the complex. Between them is a spacious outdoor pool with comfortable loungers – more than just a place to swim. It is a meeting place, a centre for encounters, a village square in a modern guise.
At the edge of the area, where the view opens up to the surrounding landscape, there is a light-flooded yoga and fitness room with panoramic glazing as well as a room for soothing massages. Those who feel the need to retreat will find their own little hideaway – with a private sauna or hot tub.
This creates a fine balance between a sense of community and privacy. Between closeness to nature and comfort. Between clarity of design and warmth of atmosphere.
But how can the character of this place be summarised?
It is deeply rooted in the region – Bavarian in the best sense of the word. It is natural – like the surrounding landscape, with its wide meadows and the striking silhouette of the Kampenwand. And familiar – supported by the Heinrichsberger host family, whose closeness to their homeland can be felt in every detail.
Local wood, regional plants and local art were used. The architecture picks up on traditional elements, but reinterprets them: minimalist, clear, contemporary. No kitsch, no overload – but a modern homage to the Alpine heritage.
What applies to the guests also applies to the chalet village itself: It is agrad. Just right, as they say in the dialect. In measure and attitude. A place that doesn’t stage luxury, but lives it – in harmony with nature, the region and the demand for genuine, unaffected hospitality.
Agrad Chalets is a Member of Lifestylehotels
Fotos: Agrad Chalets & Andreas Jakob