Pictures and Additional Information
Interior View of a bath within Therme Vals
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| Zumthor utilizes lights and darks as well as material choices to create a kind of otherworldly effect within the bathhouse. This can contribute to his overarching theme of stone and water because we very clearly have the quartz material used in conjunction with the water. |
Therme Vals as seen from Google Earth
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The grassy grid in the center of the rendering is the Therme Vals. It is difficult to notice from satellite imagery because it blends so well into the landscape. Notably, it is located right next to the Hotel Therme and the nearby areas appear to be fairly back-country. The nearest town, Vals, is relatively close by.Video/Interview with Peter ZumthorThe building itself has no doors and can only be accessed from within the Hotel Therme from an underground passage way. In this sense, it contributes to the effect of being within the mountain, much like the way a hot spring comes from nature. Zumthor is creating the sense that the bathhouse itself comes from nature with these building choices. Flickr Photo Reel   
These photos really capture Zumthor's use of lighting to contrast the intimacy and warmth of darkness with the boldness and freedom of light. Additionally, they also show the sheer scale of the bathhouse - it dwarfs people in comparison, contributing to a sense of awe. Perhaps the scale also adds a kind of natural sense, like only something of a non-human origin could have created something so in tune with nature.
Visitor's Blog to Therme Vals: Do's and Don'ts
The Peterthals comments on how the bathhouse was definitely not what she expected, with warm temperatures and high popularity among guests. She notes that the open feel and naturalness prompted some discomfort because many people were too in line with their natural selves publicly for her taste. Also, she had her towels stolen because everyone has the same towel. I personally think that her mediocre experience stems from the fact that the place was designed to feel uninhibited and true to nature, so perhaps she should just relax like Zumthor intended. Overall I learned from her that the spa itself can feel a bit crowded at times and that could contribute to a less relaxing experience.
The Architectural Review's view on the Therme Vals
Three notable details from the article:
1) Gneiss is used in combination with concrete and other materials to simulate a cavern.
2) Thermal bathing was a means to attracting a wider clientele to Vals.
3) Diverges into multiple paths that capture not only light effects, but acoustic effects too.
Biography on Peter Zumthor
1) Worked for the Department of Preservation of Monuments and analyzed historical villages. This contributes to his sense of history and ancient human practices such as bathing.
2) The building is used to accentuate the flat lines of the water, while also highlighting the water's fluidity. This is done with the overarching "stone and water" theme he mentioned in his book.
3) Zumthor is an architect who designs buildings with a specific purpose tailored for a specific group of people. His buildings cannot be used for anything other than their intended purpose, which in this case is a bathhouse.
Sources:
"Biography." : Peter Zumthor.
N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
Ryan, Raymond.
"Thermal Baths in Vals, Switzerland by Peter Zumthor."Thermal Baths in Vals,Switzerland
by Peter Zumthor.
Architectural Review, 1 Aug. 2015. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
Tantra, Patrick. "Peter Zumthor - Therme Vals, Vals, Graubünden, Switzerland 1." Flickr. Yahoo!, 06 Apr.
2011. Web. 09 Feb. 2016. <https://goo.gl/6HecGZ >.
The Peterthals.
"Therme Vals." Web log post. Peterthals in Austin. N.p., 7 Dec. 2009. Web. 5 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.peterthals.com/2009/12/therme-vals.html>.
"The Therme Vals / Peter Zumthor." YouTube. YouTube, 12 Nov. 2014. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
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