Thermal Baths Vals Floor Plan

Built over the only thermal springs in the graubunden canton in switzerland the therme vals is a hotel and spa in one which.

Thermal baths vals floor plan.

Images by unknown photographer. In total 450 m of vals quartzite panels were processed for the walls of the thermal baths 3100 square feet of wall surface layers with 20 sqm. The building definitely rewards its visitors with the rare pleasure of experiencing a genuine example of timeless architecture. Praised as one of the best completed works by 2009 pritzker laureate peter zumthor the vals thermal baths might be one of the most iconic buildings in swiss contemporary architecture.

Made from 60 000 slabs of vals quartzite the thermal baths were granted protected heritage status shortly after their completion. Built over the only thermal springs in the graubunden canton in switzerland the therme vals is a hotel and spa in one which combines a complete sensory experience designed by peter zumthor. A bankrupt hotel complex from the 1960s was transformed by zumthor s ingenuity. Peter spring at a pleasant 30 celsius makes the time you spend in the thermal baths a deeply relaxing experience.

T his article is part of an installment of essays and examples illuminating the essence of good architecture which as slow space founder mette aamodt defines comprises the three fundamental qualities of empathy experience and beauty the exploration of peter zumthor s thermal baths in vals switzerland represents a paragon of architecture as experience as an extraordinary sensory. From within the baths the fissures topped with several layers of glass mark at least one edge of each stone shaft about the central pool. The thermal bath at vals in graubünden switzerland are often considered architect peter zumthor s masterpiece at least by the public. Already in 1998 just two years after its opening it became a national monument.

Thermal baths in vals switzerland by peter zumthor first published in ar august 1997 this piece was republished online in august 2015 vals lies an hour away from chur by car deep in a valley dotted with shepherd huts and enlivened by the sound of cowbells. His trademark simplicity of design created a popular thermal spa in the heart of the swiss alps. Length all the strips together stone used is 62 000 linear feet. This resultsin certain flanks being washed in zenithal light but also divides up the ceiling plan so that each shaft housing supplementary structure supports its portion of roof.

The vals thermal resort is situated in a valley on the only thermal springs of the swiss canton of graubündens switzerland between mountains of rock formations and alpine meadows. Vals quartzite gneiss.