Peter Zumthor - THERMAL BATHS - Vals

[ajwtaylor]

Here is the repost as promised, sorry for the delay.... ;)

Thermal Baths Vals
Vals
Graubünden
Switzerland

Peter Zumthor 1996

Vals is a remote alpine village in the canton of Graubünden, which has recently become well known all over Switzerland and to some extent the rest of the world - it went through the Bilbao effect before Bilbao.
During the early 1980s the community of Vals bought a bankrupt hotel consisting of three buildings from the 1960s, and commissioned Peter Zumthor to build a new thermal bath. The building became a success in Switzerland: only two years after its opening it became a protected building; you can find photographs of it in any kind of magazine in that country; the name of the architect is well know to the common citizen of Graubünden; the village of Vals is again on the map.

Zumthor uses images of quarries and water flowing spontaneously from the ground to describe the conception of the building, ideas charged with an archaic atmosphere. Its geometric rigor reflects a huge rock embedded in the hillside.

The building is made from local Valser quartzite and concrete. Water, light and to some extent steam and heat, add to the definition of areas within the ritual of the bath.

The primal act of bathing organizes the building. Entrance is through an underground tunnel where the iron richness of the Valser water first shows as it pours from wall-mounted copper pipes and stains the stone that lies beneath its flow. Following the tunnel there is a filtering volume where the bather enters from one side, undresses, and comes out from the other side ready for the bath. Stepping out of the changing rooms the bather will be on a longitudinal balcony space that overlooks the therme; from here he can go into the Turkish baths or flow down to the main floor using a ramp that runs parallel to the balcony.
The main floor is organized by a series of 'stones' (cubic volumes) which house baths at different temperatures, showers, and sweating, drinking or resting spaces. Between these stones is water, and beside them larger empty areas lead towards two large windows which frame the view of the mountains. Wandering into the central bath the swimmer can move into the outdoor bath and finally onto the terrace. Below the baths is a therapy level containing smaller rooms that serve for varied types of massage and physiotherapy.

Seemingly static at first glance, the spatial concept is in fact completely dynamic, and this duality of impression between the still and the kinetic makes the building a place of relaxation through action, an awakening of senses.

The ceiling consists of cantilevered concrete slabs, each piece separated from the others by 'fissures' - light slits that also add to the sense of fluidity of the overall space.

Reference taken from here (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156)

The official website of the baths (http://www.therme-vals.ch/?__locale=en)

[ajwtaylor]

view 1 of Swank-E's model

[ajwtaylor]

view 2

[ajwtaylor]

view 3

[ajwtaylor]

plan and sections in AutoCAD dwg 2000 format....

[ajwtaylor]

Book reference for Zumthor can be found here (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0817660992/qid=1124134421/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-0425967-6391223?v=glance&s=books)

[SWANK-E]

hey, i just noticed that you didn't post the model file itself.
lemme see if i can dig it up again.... ok, here it is

[ajwtaylor]

whoops, what a numpty! thanks Swank-E! :rock on:

[msr]

Has anyone here actually been to the Baths?
From any of the photos that I have seen the interior looks quite gloomy. Is this a correct perception?

[SWANK-E]

Has anyone here actually been to the Baths?
From any of the photos that I have seen the interior looks quite gloomy. Is this a correct perception?

obviously you haven't seen THIS (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161) thread

i don't think gloomy is the correct word to describe the spatiality and the lighting

[primocordara]

obviously you haven't seen THIS (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161) thread
Boy, you missed Kevin on his Mission Imposible, the best thread everr!! :rock on:

[msr]

Thanks, I've found & read Kevin's thread.

That was great work on Kevin's part - although he did leave himself open to comment on the size of his "camera".

[SWANK-E]

Thanks, I've found & read Kevin's thread.

That was great work on Kevin's part - although he did leave himself open to comment on the size of his "camera".

you know what they say... 'size doesn't matter', but in this case, it does... the smaller the better :cool:

[imasayer]

Boy, you missed Kevin on his Mission Imposible, the best thread everr!! :rock on:

Have to agree primo! Any chance we will get to see that one again Swank-e?

[SWANK-E]

Have to agree primo! Any chance we will get to see that one again Swank-e?

sorry, what do you mean? the thread??? it's there (see post above)

[imasayer]

sorry, what do you mean? the thread??? it's there (see post above)

Oh, I am sorry. I thought that that one was lost when we were hacked. Great thread, one of my favorites ever! I don't know about his camera, but Swank-e would have to have some rather large...you know... to pull a stunt like that. :cool:

[SWANK-E]

oh no, just noticed that this is an earlier file without the lights! anyone out there who has got the one with the lights?

[ajwtaylor]

Is this the one?

[tadao]

Please comments for the Library of Saigon Architectural university
We've won the competition 2nd prize (no 1st).

[digdoi]

Please comments for the Library of Saigon Architectural university
We've won the competition 2nd prize (no 1st).

Hey, great news Tadao!!! Congratulations! :cheers:

But why did you posted it in this thread? :wondering
I'm waiting to see your proposal in the projects section. ;)

[davidsk]

Anyone got structural detail drawings for the stacked stone exterior walls?

[MICHEL]

Check A+U PETER ZUMTHOR (http://www.japan-architect.co.jp/english/2maga/au/aux_index.html). The book is sold out but you will surely find it in any uni library. Nice set of construction details.

[oztyocho]

What is a SKP file.
How can I open it??.

[takesh h]

What is a SKP file.
How can I open it??.
welcome to pushpullbar, oztyocho.
How to open a .skp file in the Architectural Models forum? (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2785)
and now, Google SketchUp is free to download!;)

[eckoooooo]

really cool~3ks

[eckoooooo]

there may be some mistakes in this su-models~
i can't open it in sketchup5~

[Frenchy Pilou]

...even with the free Google Sketchup (http://sketchup.google.com/) :D
Cool model! :cool:

Generaly problems are from old version to new, but new version "fix" the little problems and load in any case your old model! :cheers:

[takesh h]

there may be some mistakes in this su-models~
i can't open it in sketchup5~
You mean you cannot download the file? Looks like you just registered...
In that case go read "I have registered, but why can't I view or download components?" (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/faq.php?faq=vb_board_usage#faq_new_faq_download):e ek:

[dhaa]

I've just finished watching the documentary (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3752285599883171481) and it reminded me of the story of the clock (check around 24:30 in the video) - I can't see them in the model, Kevin! What a shame! :wondering :D

[SWANK-E]

sorry, forgot about that one!
now i recall the clock after watching the video

[chris kiwi]

Hi SWANK-E,
I have only just joined this forum & last night I downloaded your SU file of the thermal baths. Thank you for putting in the time and effort and sharing it. This is such a great way to explore a design.
Regards from across the ditch.
Chris

Opps that was supposed to go in the Peter Zumoth thread. How does this thing work? D'oh!
Chris

Oh i give up.

Ahhh... Now i understand,
I hadn't read the tail. Sorry for clogging the airwaves. 10 4
Chris

[SWANK-E]

no problem, welcome to the forum

[ryarch]

Hey,
Thanks to everyone for the info, the model and the link to the movie. I am combining thanks from a couple of threads, but this is really a thanks to the PPB2 community for the endless hours of interesting info and help. I have started a 'movie' luncheon at my office. We are discussing great buildings while we eat. The Baths are first on our list. With all of your help, I have been able to compile a great deal of info in a short amount of time, and am able to share it with my peers.

Once again, PPB2 is an asset in my professional growth, and now the growth of other members at our office.

Thanks Again.
:clap:

[trogers]

I have started a 'movie' luncheon at my office. We are discussing great buildings while we eat. The Baths are first on our list.

Interestingly enough, we're starting up a movie series at our office tomorrow over lunch. Same idea, same time...

Great minds think alike... :rock on:

[ryarch]

Nice trogers. There is alot here @ PPB2 to suppliment the post movie discussion: Plans, elevations, sections, model, secret 'camera in my pants' photos. This place is great!

[Frenchy Pilou]

secret 'camera in my pants'
...Bond :D

[nicolasrivera]

I'm getting in to this project a lot, thanks for the model, here are my renderings.

Nico.

[nicolasrivera]

Another view.

[spadestick]

whoa you legend! is this straight from using the skp model we find here? or did you add anything? This is the first time I've seen it in concrete! :)

[Marr]

Exelent renders although you probably know the texture is not correct, its clad with stacked thin layers of local stone.
Did you make these renders with the new artlantis beta?

[ryo]

Did anyone see THIS? (http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=eRvM2KKDeGA)
:D:D:D:confused::confused::confused:

[MICHEL]

Did anyone see THIS? (http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=eRvM2KKDeGA)
:D:D:D:confused::confused::confused:

Oooh yes my dear RYOsan, you're late... this is rumantsch hip hop, already mentionned here (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showpost.php?p=64574&postcount=90).

[missnikki]

I know this is an old thread but i had a quick question in regards to this facility, what is done with the water after, i have a clip on it, but i dont understand as it is in german. how often do they change the water and what the most sustainable means of using the water after? or is there a good use for the water after????

[firewoodwolf]

UH yes! Your model and drawings are really helpful! I was trying to make it but I have no time for a presentation. Thank ya!

[derricm]

I can download and unzip the files that a lot of the pictures are presented in, but I can't open the actual file afterward. I really want to see these. Is it because I don't have the right programs? Anyone know why?

[derricm]

nevermind i figured everything out, and everything posted here is great! i love the thermal baths..

[ArchiPim]

nice model, rendering it with v-ray for SU makes it even a lot nicer than the original SU pics. looks very good even with standard settings. the renders posted here look very good too!

[faupino]

hi. I've just completed my register here and this is my first message. What I'm about to say is probably known for everyone and will thus soud stupid. if that's the case, please forgive me: I'm just a rookie.

There's a good quality documentary series available on youtube whitch includes the vals thermae. It's called Architecture!

I found it quite interesting. Hope you like.

[Hasko]

visited his museum in köln (kolumba) a while ago, peter zumthor is definitely a great architect and made a wonderful job there aswell. nice job on the model :)

[heriberto74]

Hello iam a student at harrington college and decided to use the therme Vals builing for my thesis prep project and I can not find any good floor plans i bought the therme vals book but it is not super helpful if anyone is willing to share the cad plans i would really appreciate it very much. thank you very much in advance.:not worth

[spadestick]

Just extract it from the model in Sketchup... export to 2D DWG

[shannon_fiona@hotmail.com]

does anyone know if there is an organised procession through the various types of baths or is it a matter of using each in whatever order you please? thanks :)

[morri]

Will ask my inlaws tomorrow, we sent them there for their golden wedding anniversary, I am guessing there is an order, we were nearly arrested in Baden thermal baths (also in Switzerland) a few years back for going to different stations out of sequence and wearing the wrong gender swimhats.

[morri]

Here is the lowdown from my motherinlaw-

"VAls was not like Baden. We did not have to follow a circuit and were not massaged in the indoor pool (no jets). Outside there were three jets, always occupied by somebody who wanted to get massaged. We managed to stand in front of these jets and were nearly pushed over by the forceful jets."

She is actually from Switzerland so she will have done the right thing and understood everything correctly. Hope this helps

[SWANK-E]

you know there is a travel thread on Therme Vals (http://www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161) in this forum?

[shannon_fiona@hotmail.com]

thanks Morri

[danu]

a lil bit render

[danu]

2nd shot

[danu]

3rd shot c&c are :) welcomed