Peter Zumthor Therme Vals

by Sigrid Hauser, Peter Zumthor, Hélène Binet (Photographer)

Therme Vals, the spa complex built in the Swiss Alps by celebrated architect Peter Zumthor, became an icon of contemporary architecture soon after its opening in 1996. Inspired by the spa’s majestic surroundings, Zumthor built the structure on the sharp grade of an Alpine mountain slope with grass-topped roofs to mimic Swiss meadows, captured here in a series of sumptuous images. Peter Zumthor Therme Vals, the only book-length study of this singular building, features the architect’s own original sketches and plans for its design as well as Hélène Binet’s striking photographs of the structure. Architectural scholar Sigrid Hauser contributes an essay on such topics as “Artemis/Diana,” “Baptism,” “Mikvah,” and “Spring”—drawing out the connections between the elemental nature of the spa and mythology, bathing, and purity.

Annotations by Peter Zumthor on his design concept and the building process elucidate the structure’s symbiotic relationship to its natural surroundings, revealing, for example, why he insisted on using locally quarried stone. Therme Vals’s scenic design elements, and Zumthor’s contributions to this book, reflect the architect’s commitment to the essential and his disdain for needless architectural flourishes. This lavishly illustrated volume about the spa that catapulted a remote Swiss village onto the international architecture scene will entrance all enthusiasts of contemporary design.

 

 

 

Genres: Architecture

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Karl Gruenewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive volume on famed Swiss architect Peter Zumthor's most celebrated project, the post-modern masterpiece tucked away in the sleepy mountainside of a secluded village in the valley of Vals, Switzerland. This dense and beautiful book contains poetic musings of the archetype of the thermal bath and its role throughout world mythogy and religion, fascinating descriptions of the design process of the Therme Vals, and even technical insights into its construction and detailing that will delight those in the industry.

A treasure of a book for the scores of architects who idolize Peter Zumthor and his work.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This understated monograph (of course it's understated, it's Zumthor!) is beautiful. The Swiss never gave up on Modernism entirely, instead patiently ushering some of its finer qualities into the 21st century while leaving some of the more dogmatic dross by the wayside.

The thermal baths at Vals, Switzerland is one of Zumthor's most resonant works, demonstrating his love of materiality and the phenomenal behavior of light. Rather than blather on about how amazing it is, here is a link to Flickr photos tagged with Therme and Vals.

link: [http://flickr.com/search/?w=all&q...]

The monograph by Swiss publishing house Verlag Scheidegger & Spiess covers the inspiration behind the creative design process and it's execution as well as detailed construction documentation. The photography reflects the building itself; understated and a little sparse but expertly done and highly articulate.

[Kelly]

yes.

[Lwin Mar Kyaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Therme Vals is an stunning and meaning full building.