Therme Vals

spa, Vals, Switzerland

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July 17, 2026

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The Therme Vals is a spa complex in Vals, Switzerland, designed by architect Peter Zumthor. Completed in 1998, the baths are built into a mountainside using local gneiss stone and concrete, creating a labyrinth of cave-like pools. The design emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow, with carefully placed lamps and shafts of daylight illuminating the spaces. An outdoor pool offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Zumthor's design aims to create a visceral and intentional experience, integrating the building seamlessly into its natural environment. The Therme Vals is celebrated for its masterful use of materials and its ability to evoke a sense of both indulgence and fundamental architectural experience.12

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Peter Zumthor
A commission to design the Therme Vals (1996) in Vals, Switzerland, presented Zumthor with a prime opportunity to create a series of varied spatial experiences. The structure, appearing like an enormous geometric rock carved within the hillside, is made from local quartz and concrete. The building’s entry is a dark…
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A commission to design the Therme Vals (1996) in Vals, Switzerland, presented Zumthor with a prime opportunity to create a series of varied spatial experiences. The structure, appearing like an enormous geometric rock carved within the hillside, is made from local quartz and concrete. The building’s entry is a dark…
Read More