Enabling Skill - Assignment 1

ENABLING SKILLS & RESEARCH PRACTICE BENV 1080 Assignment 1, 2012 Therme Vals, Switzerland, 1996 Peter Zumthor

Ying Wai Johnathon Yip z3384646 jonathan.yip8@hotmail.com

TABLE OF CONTENT

Therme Vals Introduction

1 3

Space and Function Concept Space Enclosure

Connection to Land

7 8 9 14

Construction

Construction Overview

Materiality Layering Scheme Corner Joints

17 20 21 23

Study of Concealment Concealment Concealed Insulation

27 31

Illumination Fissure

35

Conclusion

42

THERME

VALS Peter Zumthor Switzerland, 1996

Introduction

Winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize in year 2009, eminent Swiss architect Peter Zumthor designed the spa component of Therme Vals which became an iconic contemporary architecture soon after its opening for the public in 1996.

Celebrating Switzerland’s traditional and cherished act of bathing, the hotel and spa combination complex is located over the only thermal spring in Graubuenden of Vals, Switzerland. Among many of Zumthor’s built work, Therme Vals has successfully captivated both viewers and bathers with its object simplicity and material sophistication.

Inspired by the complex’s majestic and scenic surroundings of Switzerland, Zumthor built the picturesque structure on a sharp incline of an Alpine mountain slope with grass rooftops to mimic the Switzerland meadows as well as to benefit from the therapeutic waters of the mountainside. Therme Vals is renowned among architects for its evocative sequence of spaces, exquisite construction details and layers upon layers of locally extracted Vals Gneiss stones.

3

�Interiors are like large instruments, collecting sound, amplifying it, transmitting it elsewhere. That has to do with the shape peculiar to each room and with the surface of materials they contain, and the way those materials have been applied�1 Peter Zumthor

SPACE AND FUNCTION

Title Page Therme Vals Introduction Page Exterior facade of Therme Vals.

Previous Page A photograph of a corridor leading to the rest area.

Top and Bottom Illustrations of Zumthor’s experimental and early ‘Block Sketches’.

Concept The main conceptual idea behind Therme Vals was to metaphorically create a form of cave or quarry-like structure at the side of the mountain that would emulate the tranquillity of Switzerland’s natural scenery. The idea was also to strongly relate to the geology of local mountainscape and the impressive topography of the valley2. In his concept of Therme Vals, Zumthor wanted to embed a fundamental architectural message of completing a building that “is joyful in their manifestation of form, material and construction.”3 Metaphorically perceived as a quarry, the thermal baths were experimented by relating them into rectangular stone masses and the integration of void and hollowing. Through his illustrations, it is evident that Zumthor avoids formal solutions and instead primarily focus on abstract interpretation.

8

Space

Enclosure

The intention of Therme Vals is to offer a silent experience of bathing and insular relaxation in different temperatures of water. Zumthor achieves this by incorporating two large irregularly shaped pools and applying assortment of hollowed ‘blocks’ separating from one another. In addition, described as “boulders standing in the water”4, the blocks have distinct rooms that are designed not to confine the body but to compliment the naked human form whether young or old and guide it into an immersive and interactive journey. Eventually, through the process of voiding and hollowing, the building’s interior generates an underlying network of caverns and submerged water gullies that serve as the defining element of the interior space.5

From the exterior, Therme Vals is seen as a massive porous stone yet Zumthor intricately manipulates the interior to look comparable to a labyrinth arrangement of spaces that obscure full length visibility. The absence of focal point assists to situate the bather in a non-transitional and restful place.6 In addition, each entrance of the individual block contains at least one bend that leads into the space, thus adding another layer of obscurity.7 As one of Zumthor’s strategy, the dimly lit enclosures plus the discernable spaces of each block summons a sense of calmness and curiosity that adds a mystical dimension to the act of bathing.

Hence it is this luxurious nature of the enclosed baths that makes the experience of the bathers so unique.

Left Temperatures of water are varied depending on size and positioning of each unit.

Scale 1:400 Right Lengthy visibility is limited due to the assortment and close proximity of the pinwheeling blocks of stone.

Scale 1:400

10

Above Plan illustrating the layers of construction at the bath level.

Scale 1:200 Note the distinctive pinwheeling arrangement where the blocks are positioned in a clockwise direction to achieve smooth and flowing circulation. The continuous space in between allow guest to look around and explore on their own.

12

Above The half buried building appears to emerge from the mountain slope.

Opposite Situated high above the mountains, the spa complex is seemlessly merged with the landscape.

Connection to Landscape Due to limitation that the building must be built only upwards on a mountain slope to avoid obstruction between the hotel and the view to the mountains, Zumthor cleverly responded by partially sinking the building into the slope similarly to that of a quarry where the blocks of stone still remain on a hill. Having a flat roof covered with grass, the building seemingly non-existent is blended harmoniously with the landscape. The transition from the slope to the protruding extension of the building is barely noticeable yet it is only the geometrical array on the roof that truly reveals its presence. The close connection with the land is best expressed in Zumthor’s own words: “the new structure conveys the feeling that it is older than its existing neighbour, that it has always been here in this landscape.”8 14

CONSTRUCTION “Mountain, stone, water, building in stone, building with stone, building into the mountain, building out of the mountain – our attempt to give this chain of words an architectural interpretation, to translate into architecture its meanings sensuous, guided our design for the building and step by step gave it form.”9 Peter Zumthor

Pervious Page Photograph of exterior bath.

Right The only mountain-facing facade with its alternating full and empty spaces reveals the construction style of the building as a whole.

Construction Overview The understanding of Therme Vals begins with the use of Vals Gneiss stone as the primary building material for the solid exterior as well as the cavernous interior setting. This characteristic is especially noticeable in the early stage of the building’s conceptual design, during which it was Zumthor’s intention to apply massive, hollowed-out blocks.

He sought to emphasize the monolithic impression by applying blocks exactly as it is when broken from the quarry. Due to the limitation in transport and manipulation, his plan was soon abandoned10.

The unlikelihood of the strategy however, has led to an alternative system of layered stone slab capable of achieving the same desired monolithic effect whilst being easily produced at the quarry and transported. Thus ,the technical feasibility proved to be both limithing and helpful in the design process.

17

“The more we trusted the stone and allowed it to play the leading role, the more it began to reveal its subtleties, its grain, its structure, its beauty.�11 Peter Zumthor

Materiality

Opposite Locally quarried stones are interchangeably positioned on top of one another.

Layered stone upon stone and displaying itself stunningly with natural light, the crystaline Vals Gneiss is built in harmony with the mountains and the surrounding landscape from which they came.12 Zumthor has specifically chosen to use Vals Gneiss stone throughout the monolithic structure as it accomplishes a sense of grandeur. The stone served in this context as a mixture of sand, gravel and cement to make concrete and gneiss. The stone further brought about a spiritual connection with the landscape of the Vals region. From this, it is apparent that the stone with atmospheric qualities became the driving inspiration for the design and brilliantly employed with great dignity and respect.

20

Top Layers upon layers of thinly cut Vals Gneiss slabs.

Bottom A continuous visual pattern across adjacent surfaces.

Right The entire building is seen as a monolithic structure.

Layering Scheme The architecture, fragmented in nature yet monolithic in appearance, attempts to emphasize itself as a singular mass through Zumthor’s ideal selection of stone and reinforced concrete. However its monolithic presence is not achieved through the material itself but rather the consequence of a methodically constructive technique now known as “Vals laminated stonework” (Valser Verbundmauerwerk).13 Zumthor’s newly developed technique or simply stone-course-layering scheme is a precise system of interchangeable layering of thinly cut stone belts that form a non-repetitive pattern throughout the entire building’s visible surface. Zumthor’s intention of this arrangement is to create a continuous and visually diverse pattern yet preserving consistent visual appearance.

Displaying Zumthor’s sensitivity towards stone craft, the stone-layering scheme envelopes the entirety of the building forming a cavernous sanctuary. As part of his metaphorical narrative, the simple lamination of stone “produces an almost literally monolithic impression.”14 21

Corner Joints The position of every slab of stone is placed according to the location of joints in the layers beneath. The layers themselves are in various thicknesses consisting of 31, 47 and 63 millimetres thick slabs which are rested interchangeably.15 Similarly, corner joints follow this assembly but rely on alternating placement of crosslaminated stone slabs with varied width and length.

The alternating directions allow the pattern to continue across adjacent surfaces so that at first glance “no apparent rule or repetition can be recognized in the wall pattern.”16 Thus it is “according to the same consistent lamination princple”17 that strengthens the continuous impression of the wall structure.

Left The stone-course-layering assembly achieves a consistent visual appearance throughout the entire building’s visible surface.

Centre Profile drawing of a corner joint.

Right Drawing illustrating the alternating placement of stone slabs for the corner joint.

24

“When we look at objects or buildings that seem to be at peace within themselves, our perception becomes calm and dulled. The objects we perceive have no message for us; they are simply there.�18 Peter Zumthor

STUDY OF CONCEALMENT

Concealment The stone-course-layering scheme plays a major role in crafting the interior atmosphere. However, it also serves a more important purpose in relation to the technical aspects of the building. Zumthor successfully utilises this scheme to hide any distracting features such as underfloor heating system, water channels and layers of roof top construction.19 More importantly, any evident technical features are concealed from the eyes of the bather.

27

Left Photograph of interior bath Right The interior corridors convey a sense of enclosure and confinement.

Previous Page Photograph of corridor leading to the underground bath level.

Above Section illustrating the concealed infrastructure and its enclosed effect on the interior.

Note that the underfloor heating system and multiple layers of construction on the ceiling are concealed whilst still maintaing a contiuous visual effect throughout neighboring floors.

Right Technical features are hidden from the eyes of the viewers. Photograph of the rest area.

29

Concealed Insulation Zumthor consistently conveys a recurring motif of concealment throughout the entire building even through the smallest of spaces such as the interior of the walls. A thin layer of insulation is applied to both the interior perimeter of the building’s wall as well as the inner divding walls. The walls’ interior includes an insulating layer that extend upwards to meet with the horizontal layer on the roof slab 20, hence providing a continuous insulation that envelopes the space without the bathers noticing it.

Above Detailed plan illustrating the concealed insulating infrastructure and its enclosed effect on the interior.

Scale 1:50 Bottom Detail section illustrating the joining and concealment of the building’s insulating elements.

Scale 1:10 Opposite Photo of the rest space contained in the concrete core.

32

�From the start, there was a feeling for the mystical nature of a world of stone inside the mountain for darkness and light, for the reflection of light upon water, for the diffusion of light through steam filled air.�21 Peter Zumthor

ILLUMINATION

Fissures The light penetrating through the small slits from the roof slab is called fissures. They serve as a type of atmoshperic illumination.22 Guest moving from outdoor to the indoors mean that they pass from an open space to a more intamate space with the interior’s play of shadow and light.

Top Aerated concrete model illustating light shinning through fissure slits.

Left Concrete model of interior corridor demonstrating lighting through small openings.

Right Lighting effect of the indoor bath

35

Above An illustration showing Zumthor’s studies of the relationship between light on certain wall (yellow lines) and the floor joints that touches the water (blue lines).

Bottom Miniature stone models casting shafts of light through fissures.

Opposite Lighting of the Interior Following Page Exterior bath.

End Page Peter Zumthor.

40

Conclusion

Peter Zumthor’s masterwork of Therme Vals has explored the tactile and sensory qualities of spaces and materiality whilst retaining a minimalist feel. Most importantly, Zumthor, artistry in the work of stone, has not only sculpted a stunning success that embraces all the elements of heat, light and sound but conjured an environment to awaken all the senses.

42

“In order to design buildings with a sensuous connection

to life, one must

think in a way

that goes far beyond form and construction.�23 Peter Zumthor

36 44

Endnotes Page

Number

Reference

5 1

Peter Zumthor, Thinking Architecture (Berlin: Birkhauser, 1999) 56

7 2

Peter Zumthor, ‘ A work of many’ in Architectural Association Exemplary Projects 1 Thermal Baths at Vals (London: Architectural Association, 1996) 55

7 3

David Chipperfield, “Thermal Bath at Vals by Peter Zumthor,” AA Files. no.32, Autumn (1996): 72-75

9 4

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor. Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 27

9 5

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor. Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 23 - 27

10

6

Bruno J. Hubert, “Lithiques: thermes et bains de Vals, Suisse,” Techniques et Architecture, n.442, Apr (1999): 84-89

10

7

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor, Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 61

14

8

Dietmar Steiner, “Peter Zumthor: Bagni termali, Vals, Svizzera = Thermal bath, Vals, Switzerland,” Domus, n.798, Nov (1997): 33 - 34

16

9

Peter Zumthor, Thinking Architecture (Berlin: Birkhauser, 1999) 43

17

10

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor. Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 168

20

11

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor. Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 140

20

12

Peter Zumthor, “Le terme di Vals,” Casabella. vol.61, no.648, Autumn (1997): 56-57

21

13

Dietmar Steiner, “Peter Zumthor: Bagni termali, Vals, Svizzera = Thermal bath, Vals, Switzerland,” Domus, n.798, Nov (1997): 27-35

21

14

Dietmar Steiner, “Peter Zumthor: Bagni termali, Vals, Svizzera = Thermal bath, Vals, Switzerland,” Domus, n.798, Nov (1997): 32

23

15

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor, Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 95-108

23

16

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor, Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 169

23

17

Dietmar Steiner, “Peter Zumthor: Bagni termali, Vals, Svizzera = Thermal bath, Vals, Switzerland,” Domus, n.798, Nov (1997): 34 46

Page

Number

25

18

Peter Zumthor, Thinking Architecture, Second Epanded Edition (Berlin: Birkhauser, 2006) 17

27

19

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor. Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 104 - 105

31

20

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor. Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 95 - 97

34

21

Peter Zumthor, Thinking Architecture (Berlin: Birkhauser, 1999) 56

35

22

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor. Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 67

44

23

Peter Zumthor, Thinking Architecture (Berlin: Birkhauser, 1999) 57

Reference

48

Image Credits Page

Position

Reference

1 - 2

“Therme Vals”, Static Panoramio, accessed April 18, 2012 http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/15864045.jpg

3-4

“The Therme Vals by PeterZumthor”, Flickr, A. Choupina, last modified December 11 2010, accessed April 21 2012,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67317135@N02/6131572011/

5

“Interior”, Serpintine Gallery, accessed April 14, 2012 http://www.serpentinegallery.org/VLS_BH_052%20press%20page.jpg

8 Above

Zumthor, Peter “Le term di Vals”. Casabella. vol.61, no.648, Autumn 1997: 61

Below

Zumthor, Peter “Le term di Vals”. Casabella. vol.61, no.648, Autumn 1997: 62

9

Zumthor, P., Three concepts, Basel: Boston: Birkhauser Verlag, 1997, 25

10

Zumthor, P., Three concepts, Basel: Boston: Birkhauser Verlag, 1997, 25

11 - 12

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor, Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 98 - 99

13

Peter Zumthor, Therme Vals, Gray Matter, last modified August 15 2011, accessed April 16, http://www.graymatters.gatech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC_3153-1.jpg

14

“Therme Vals Roof”, Flickr, Blisterman, last modified August 1 2009, accessed April 17 2012,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22052353@N00/3877164831/

16

“Outdoor Pool”, Flickr, Galaad, accessed April 17 2012,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/galaad_569/2524533699/sizes/l/in/photostream/

17 - 18

“Therme Vals”, Follow the Flammias, accessed April 20,

http://followtheflammiasdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/dsc_0340.jpg

19

Peter Zumthor, Therme Vals, Gray Matter, last modified August 15 2011, accessed April 16, http://www.graymatters.gatech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC_3116-1.jpg 50

Page

Position

Reference

21

Top

Peter Zumthor. ‘ A work of many’ in Architectural Association Exemplary Projects 1 Thermal Baths at Vals (London: Architectural Association, 1996) 19

Bottom

Peter Zumthor. ‘ A work of many’ in Architectural Association Exemplary Projects 1 Thermal Baths at Vals (London: Architectural Association, 1996), 14 - 15

22

Hubert, “Lithiques: Thermes et bains de Vals, Suisse” Techniques et Architecture, no.442, April 1999, 87

Right

23 Left

Centre

“Therme Vals Roof”, Flickr, Aidanlawes, last modified August 13 2010, accessed April 21 2012,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanelawes/5558248148/

24

Peter Zumthor, ‘ A work of many’ in Architectural Association Exemplary Projects 1 Thermal Baths at Vals (London: Architectural Association, 1996) 20

Right

Peter Zumthor, ‘ A work of many’ in Architectural Association Exemplary Projects 1 Thermal Baths at Vals (London: Architectural Association, 1996) 18

25

“Interior Space” Nagyitas, last modified February 14 2009, accessed April 22 2012, http://nagyitas.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Therme_Vals_6.jpg

27

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor, Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 120

28

“Therme Vals Roof”, Flickr, Trixli, last modified March 13 2009, accessed April 22 2012,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/trixlipics/2274209560/sizes/o/in/photostream/

29

Peter Zumthor, ‘ A work of many’ in Architectural Association Exemplary Projects 1 Thermal Baths at Vals (London: Architectural Association, 1996) 20

30

Man Make Home, Wordpress, Accessed April 15 2012

http://manmakehome.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/vals-6.jpg

31

“Therme_Vals_5”, Nagyitas, last modified December 20 2010, accessed April 17 2012 http://nagyitas.net/termalfurdo-prehisztorikus-kovekbol/

32

Above

Bottom

Peter Zumthor, ‘ A work of many’ in Architectural Association Exemplary Projects 1 Thermal Baths at Vals (London: Architectural Association, 1996) 21 Peter Zumthor, ‘ A work of many’ in Architectural Association Exemplary Projects 1 Thermal Baths at Vals (London: Architectural Association, 1996) 21

52

Page

Position

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor, Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 53

33 - 34 35

Reference

Top

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor, Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 70

Bottom

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor, Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 70

36

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor, Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 139

39

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor, Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 157

40

Top

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor, Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 68

Bottom

Sigrid Hauser and Peter Zumthor, Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (Zurich: Verlag Scheidegger & Speiss AG, 2007) 71

41 - 42

Accessed April 14 2012 http://www.serpentinegallery.org/VLS_BH_049%20press%20page.jpg

43

Accessed April 23 2012 http://www.d-talks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/EG_PORTRAIT_-%C2%A9-gerryebner.ch_.jpg

40 54