PETER ZUMTHOR'S THERME VALS
Peter Zumthor, a Swiss master that is admired for his focus and uncompromising and exceptionally determined nature designs buildings that are alien to the fashion trends. As his works reveal, the architect pays close attention to his phenomenological philosophy, that to stimulate a unique atmosphere, emotions and therefore communicates with the person that interacts with it, but also harmonizes with the surrounding architecture.
More than a hundred years ago, hot springs were discovered in the village of Vals, in Switzerland and German developer, Karl Kurt Vorlop built a hotel complex with over 1,000 beds to take advantage of the natural source, which provides water for Valser mineral water. Eventually the hotel was bought by the village, and Peter Zumthor was commissioned to develop a new separate spa building at the source of the thermal springs to replace the bathing facilities of the hydro hotel which were too cramped and in need of repair. The architectural language of the new spa underlines the essential context; emphasising the special relationship of the new Therme to the primordial forces of nature and the geology of the mountainscape, reacting to the impressive topography of the valley and the position of the warm spring which rises out of the primeval mountain just behind the new spa.