Therme Vals

Created in 1996 in Graubünden, Switzerland, the Therme Vals is a bath house/spa/hotel for people desiring to get away from the stresses of every day life in a place that very much resembles the nature surrounding it. Peter Zumthor designed the place with the hope that it could have the feel of "being inside the mountain"; he very much wanted its inhabitants to feel as though they were one with the stone. The stone, which is actually a series of Vals Quartzite (gneiss) slabs, feels gentle and warm to the skin, creating a sense of relaxation. Additionally, Zumthor utilizes negative space and rhythm to simulate the feeling of meandering through the woods - as if around every corner a new mystery is to be unlocked - this, too, contributes to the natural ambiance.

Additionally, the roof of the building is integrated with the side of the hill, and is made of grass. It very much is designed with the intention of being one with its surroundings; perhaps an effort by Zumthor to get its users to feel a therapeutic benefit of taking in nature.

Therme Vals from Above

Notably the roof is made out of grass and the building (unseen) continues on inside of the hill. It
is designed to feel like the interior and exterior are connected.

Therme Vals from the Side

A perspective shot of the Therme Vals demonstrating it's rhythmic use of windows and entrances,
but also displaying use of line. One thing to note is that the building material is a series of beautiful
Vals Quartize (gneiss) slabs.

A Sketch of Therme Vals

This perspective is kind of odd because it captures two perspectives of the Therme Vals, however we still cannot see inside it. Also the sketch demonstrates how the bathhouse is built into the side of the hill.

Source:

"Hotel." Therme Vals: Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2016.

"The Therme Vals / Peter Zumthor." ArchDaily. N.p., 10 Feb. 2009. Web. 04 Feb. 2016.