Therme Vals
In a world enclosed between stones and water, wellbeing pulsates
Here the creative genius of Peter Zumthor has met the mysterious forces of nature that make a hot and miraculous water spring from the Alps.
Designed by architect Peter Zumthor and built between 1994 and 1996, the Therme Vals are the right place for Wellness & Design lovers.
Although built in a totally modern style, the Therme evoke archaic and almost sacred atmospheres, influenced by the relation between stone and water, in an architectural interpretation of history and of the natural environment. With the Therme Vals, in fact, the architectural ideas of Peter Zumthor have taken shape: “I like the idea that one of my buildings can contribute to enrich the atmosphere of a place that leaves good memories to those who visit or live there”.
Since its inauguration in 1996, the spa attracts visitors from all over the world and architect lovers bow before a building that only two years after its opening had already been considered an artistic heritage. The characteristic mystic shape of a big monolith, covered in grass and fit in the mountain, with which it forms a single entity, distinguishes the structure that at first glance leaves the spectator with a puzzled feeling; but the severity of the form and of the aesthetics does not overwhelms the pleasantness of the complex, which invites to rest body and mind.
The Therme actually change look once you enter the building: first a narrow gallery, barely two metre high that leads to the interior of the building, of the stone; then a spectacular display of concrete slabs and walls made of Vals quartzite, slabs of stone quarried only two kilometres away. In the baths, where sunlight cannot penetrate, you have the impression of being inside a cave. Only three imposing, ceiling-high windows allow a view over the valley. The boundary between the Therme and the environment is clear cut, although it feels as if architecture had been able to establish a profound relationship with the surrounding environment, successfully and spontaneously mixing thermal baths and nature. The Vals quartzite is everywhere, manufactured in many different ways, and the visitor moves around in a world of stone and water, interrupted only by brass banisters, glass doors and windows.
Peter Zumthor commented the Therme Vals: “Architecture is a tactile, tangible experience. Architectural materials are like notes to a composer. I work with materials, I like all of them. The interesting aspect is to match the notes to obtain something always new and a specific sound”.
Thus the spatiality of this spa comes from a careful study of what surrounds the materials and the ‘void’ left by their absence; so much so to transform space into an intense environment, rich of strong sensorial effects: going through pools characterized by different temperatures, through “breakings” in the walls, looking on to the alpine landscape, wandering through enclosed or intercommunicating spaces, up to the evocative names referring to the different “atmospheres” of the thermal itinerary: “resounding stone”, “fire pool”, “massage block”, “stone of sweat”. “Therapy” is the word written on a brass plate near the entrance turnstile to the Therme. On the left, a staircase leads to the wellness centre. Here the stone of Vals (gneiss) is treated to make it smooth and you will find concrete walls that seem velvet-like, rich brass doors on the upstream side while on the downstream side there are rooms dedicated to various treatments. Behind bright Murano blue glass there are the rooms for massages.
The walls and ceilings are painted with metallic colours and a small square window seems to frame the landscape, a picture dedicated personally to each guest, who can enjoy a wide range of thermal offers of the highest standard. The water comes from the only thermal spring in Graubünden and is rich in calcium, sulphate, hydrogen and carbonate for really exclusive treatments: massages, baths, mud-baths. Besides the classical massages, the spa offers aromatherapy, Thalassic therapy, Hawaiian massage lomi- lomi, the Esalen massage and the chance to choose the double Abhyanga massage: four hands will massage you simultaneously, warm ayurvedic oils will relax your stressed body.
The Garshan is a dry massage with raw-silk gloves; Udvartana, a full body massage using herbs powders; the Amazonian Ritual, a macadamia nut exfoliation treatment followed by a warming, mineral-rich Amazonian mask; the Lipodraine, a complete body treatment with a hydrating application.
Beauty, Travel And Holidays, Wellness Centers And Spas,
Tags: Peter Zumthor, Therme Vals
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