On June 13th the Leysin American School signed a purchase agreement for the historic 'Grand Hôtel' at the upper edge of the Leysin village. Phase 1 of this new plan, brings together two eras of Leysin and LAS school history with our bright and ambitious future. The 10,000 square meter building and 4.3 hectare grounds were originally developed in 1890, during the 'Belle Époque' as a lavish hotel and sanatorium clinic for the world's elite families. In the early 1980s, after decades of transition in Leysin from health clinics to education centers, the complex became the home of the American College of Switzerland, originally founded by Fred and Sigrid Ott in 1964 after the successful start of LAS in 1960.
After the 18-month initial renovation project, LAS plans to open a premier school facility, the new home of the growing International Baccalaureate Diploma program. This Full-IB campus will supplement the Main campus with state-of-the-art classrooms, science labs, dormitories, recreation facilities and staff apartments. LAS is proud to restore one of the historic hotels in the region, a true jewel of the Suisse Romande. We are committed to it being the perfect example of how to look to the future without forgetting the past. Beginning in July, follow our progress here.
Renovations diary < september - october 2009> < july - august 2009> < may - june 2009> < mar - apr 2009> < jan - feb 2009> <nov - dec 2008> <oct - nov 2008> < sep-oct 2008> < jul - aug 2008>
Architectural plans
Various stages in the evolution of the Grand Hôtel Belle Époque
Initial renderings show proposed structural alterations
A close-up view of the Art Center
An early rendering of the initial plans
A recent rendering from the West Wing
Drawings showing internal changes, proposed colour schemes and the distribution of light within the room
Facing the mountain
Internal view 'through' the roof
Renovations so far
September - October 2009
Video, recorded early October, showing lessons and classes in full swing
July - August 2009
Interactive whiteboards installed and ready for use
Classrooms being finished off - new furniture in place
Arrival of new furniture
Dining Hall: practical and functional with beautifully restored period details
Science Labs fitted and inspected
Reading room
West Wing facade after scaffolding removal
Grande Salle: the perfect location for a summer of events and performances
Safety and security systems installed
Staff apartment furnished and ready
Library fitted with new iMacs
May - June 2009
Video, recorded mid-May, showing various stages and work processes
March - April 2009
Corridors cleaned, polished and prepared
Illuminated for the big event
Dining room floor sanded and varnished
Scagliola and detailing near completion
The final touches to the Scagliola
Tables ready for the big event
The big event in full swing
January - February 2009
Original floors brought back to life
Sanding and varnishing
Wooden roof structures complete
Detailed work
Wallpaper circa 1900 uncovered
Natural hazards of working in the mountains
John Squier inspects site before insertion of data cables
Heating pipes, soon out of site, underneath the flooring
November - December 2008
Construction of Academic Center approaching completion (externally)
Rotunda room being cleaned and restored
Period details uncovered
Antique details being restored to original beauty
Basement of Academic Center, structurally complete
Formal rooms cleared, prepared for redecoration
Hard work!
Command center for troop debriefing!
October - November 2008
The open space where the new staircase between the 4th and 5th floors will be placed
Original wallpaper prints from the belle époque era
Clearing rooms before reconstruction
In conference: What to do next?
Ready for new steel beams. A 600KG element requiring at least 6HP (Human Power)
Supports to prevent the building from collapsing while steel beams are being placed
Preparing to pour the slab
Shuttering in place before cement is poured
Ground floor cement structure builds up
Fitting water and gas during surprise snowfall
Ground floor of Academic Center complete
September - October 2008
Historic, decorative features await restoration
Continued facade renovation
Roof ready for tiling
Swimming Pool as seen before demolition
Swimming Pool after demolition
Second bitumen layer finished throughout (east facing)
Second bitumen layer finished throughout (south facing)
Second bitumen layer finished throughout (west facing)
Small crane for assembly of larger cranes
Two 45m high cranes now on construction site
July - August 2008
Eighty year old tin roof, before renovation
Old tin removed and new waterproofing added
'Before and after' - Tin roof, during removal in foreground, waterproofing in place in background
Hidden details revealed behind original roof line
Second layer of bitumen in place on flat sections of roof
Timber ready for helicopter collection
Height and location mean helicopter is often the most efficient transport for building materials. Here, it is collecting gravel for the roof
Abandoned swimming pool, cleared of waste, ready for demolition
7000 square meters of scaffolding in preparation for facade reconstruction
Gazebo, used in German film 'Der Zauberberg', ready for renovation