Peter Zumthor designed the spa/baths which opened in 1996 to pre date the existing hotel complex. The idea was to create a form of cave or quarry like structure. Working with the natural surroundings the bath rooms lay below a grass roof structure half buried into the hillside. The Therme Vals is built from layer upon layer of locally quarried Valser Quarzite slabs. This stone became the driving inspiration for the design, and is used with great dignity and respect. The combinations of light and shade, open and enclosed spaces and linear elements make for a highly sensuous and restorative experience. The underlying informal layout of the internal space is a carefully modelled path of circulation which leads bathers to certain predetermined points but lets them explore other areas for themselves. The perspective is always controlled. It either ensures or denies a view.
| Image Details: | |
| Image File: | FEGU-0074-0003 |
| Caption: | Vals Thermal Baths, Vals, Switzerland. Architect: Peter Zumthor, 1996. Interior bathing space with entrance to pool. |
| Property Release: | No |
| Model Release: | No |
| Dimensions in PX: | 5016 x 3345 pixels |
| Date of Photograph: | 16/02/2005 |
| Restriction: | No Restriction |
| Credit: | Fernando Guerra/VIEW |
| Building Details: | |
| View Project Number: | 61305 |
| Building Name: | Vals Thermal Baths |
| Headline: | Vals Thermal Baths, Vals, Switzerland. Architect: Peter Zumthor, 1996. |
| City: | Vals |
| Country: | Switzerland |
| Architect: | Peter Zumthor |
| Architect Website: | |
| Category: | Health And Beauty |
| Building Type: | Health Spa |
| Year of Completion: | 1996 |
| Collection: | VIEW Architecture |
| Public Notes: | Peter Zumthor designed the spa/baths which opened in 1996 to pre date the existing hotel complex. The idea was to create a form of cave or quarry like structure. Working with the natural surroundings the bath rooms lay below a grass roof structure half buried into the hillside. The Therme Vals is built from layer upon layer of locally quarried Valser Quarzite slabs. This stone became the driving inspiration for the design, and is used with great dignity and respect. The combinations of light and shade, open and enclosed spaces and linear elements make for a highly sensuous and restorative experience. The underlying informal layout of the internal space is a carefully modelled path of circulation which leads bathers to certain predetermined points but lets them explore other areas for themselves. The perspective is always controlled. It either ensures or denies a view. |
| Keywords: | Vals Thermal Baths; Vals Thermal Baths image series; architecture; Health Spa; Europe; Switzerland; Vals; 1996; 20th Century; Peter Zumthor; series; 2 people; incidental people; general view; day; interior; stone; Valser Quarzite; mystic quality; water; bathing; context; gneiss; masonry; scale; terrace; balustrade; play of light; health farms; health resorts; health spas; health-farms; wellness centres; wellness centers; spas; spa resorts; health clubs; interiors; indoors; building; structure; architectural; health resort; spa resort; health farm; healthfarm; health-farm; wellness center; wellness centre; spa; health club; European; Swiss; Twentieth Century; real people; two people; people; overall view; overview; daylight; day time; daytime; day-time; indoor; inside; internal |
| Orientation: | H |
| Type: | Health Spa |
| B/W or Colour: | Colour |
| Number of People: | 2 people |
| Technique: | Full Frame |
| People Incidental: | Yes |
| Point of View: | General view |
| Time of Day: | Day |
| Interior or Exterior: | Interior |
| Photographer: | Fernando Guerra |
| Source File Name: | FEGU-0074-0003.jpg |
| Copyright Info URL: | www.viewpictures.co.uk |