BA Architecture Year 2: Contemporary Theories of Architecture: Therme Vals Phenomenology

THERME VALS BY PETER ZUMTHOR EXAMINED IN A PHENOMENOLOGICAL APPROACH

JENNIFER WEBER 07.05.2020 CONTEMPORARY THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE DR CAROLINE RABOURDIN WORD COUNT WITHOUT BIBLIOGRAPHY: 1661

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INTRODUCTION “Architecture has its own realm. It has a special physical relationship with life. I do not think of it primarily as either a message or a symbol, but as an envelope and background for life which goes on in and around it, a sensitive container for the rhythm of footsteps on the floor, for the concentration of work, for the silence of sleep” – Peter Zumthor (1998)

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Mountains, stones, water and nature might seem like nothing special for the people of Tyrol at first sight. But the elements with which the community of Vals advertises a visit to the spa are presented in a such special way. The Swiss Architect Peter Zumthor has not only created a masterpiece which quality further underlines the recreational value of the Alpine medicinal spring. He is also one of the architects that incorporated and realized Phenomenology in his work.

The Vals Thermal Baths building was constructed between 1986 and 1996. It consists of a total of 60,000 of local Vals quartzite stone slabs, also known as „The Valser Gneiss“. Largely natural, layered on top of each other and provided with light slits, the stone has a cave-like appearance. Zumthor aimed to design the building into its surroundings, like an extension to the mountains and the nature around it, as if it was shaped by the landscape. Zumthor furthermore described his concept: „Mountain, stone, water, building in stone, building with stone, into the mountain, building out of the mountain- our attempts to give this chain of words an architectural interpretation, guide our design for the building and step by step gave it its form.“ 1 The thermal water itself may seem tamed in this man-made rock, yet is not torn from its original element, in my opinion its appearance is being highlighted. Voices, footsteps, water drops, the sound of water echo from the high walls. Small grottos are grouped around the central basin: For the ultimate experience of senses, in some the visitor can find a bath of flowers, one of fire or even ice. An architecture that welcomes its people with gentle scents of citrus fruits and eucalyptus in the dark spaces between the cosy warm sweat stones. Those who simply choose to be, are rewarded with an all-round experience: the senses of touch, hearing, smell and sight experience the power of water and stone in a new and different way. 2 The following Essay will examine the Therme Vals in a Phenomenological approach and draw connections to Martin Heidegger‘s approach in his famous work „Building, Dwelling, Thinking“.

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Pol, M. (2014) Vals Thermal Baths, ArcSpace Hauser, S. / Zumthor, P. (2007) Therme Vals, Berlin: Verlag Scheidegger & Spiess

SPACE AND LIGHT Enterring the space, a long and dark corridor symbolically leads one through the depths of the mountain, preparing its visitor for their upcoming experience. The entrance is supported by running water of a rusty colour, that escapes from the concrete walls. As a result, „drawings“ on the walls contribute to the original atmosphere. The only access from the hotel complex through the cogwheel is on the left to the dressing rooms, which are framed in fine mahogany. These form a pleasant and warm contrast to the grey stones and concrete. Black leather curtains give the transitions of the changing rooms a transparent form. Neither open nor closed, they do not prevent the penetration of temperature, light and sound. Although no doors can be found, intimacy is not disturbed. After the visitor has undressed and left the changing rooms, the bathroom can be viewed from a high position. A main part of the structure, the Ceremonial Staircase is enclosed by a brass tubular handrail. It finally leads to the pools on the main level of the spa. 15 split units are arranged and designed to divide the bath into a system of paths leading to the hot water bath, the outdoor pool, the couching areas and the resting lounges. Each space has been designed to reflect the water within it. Therefore, warm red lighting has been used for the warm-water pools and blue light to define spaces of cold water. 3,4,5

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Copans, R. / Neumann, S. (2003) Architectures Documentary Vol 2 Glanville, K. (2018) Phenomenology and Peter Zumthor‘s Thermal Baths 5 Zumthor, P. / Mostafavi, M. (1996) p.2 Thermal Bath Vals, London: AA Publications 4

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The bathing facilities are hidden in several different architectural units. When entering those, the visitor can finally find the showers and massage rooms, theme baths for the senses, including the cold bath, the flower bath, the sound bath, the fire bath, the drinking fountain as well as the spring grotto. Here, a mystic atmosphere was created with the help of artificial light, it has been reduced. Anyways, a beautiful contrast is created by illuminated water pools. 3 It is the diversity each room which contributes to an individual sensation and experience. The slits on the ceiling above the central pool allow light to enter the space and at the same time imitate the crack of a mountain. In some places the light gently touches the walls of quartzite, this effect gives them a lively and textile character. Incisions in the façade form terraces and glass fronts, so plenty of natural light can flow into the berths and resting lounges. Large window openings provide the visitor with a wonderul view of the topography from the valser valley and swiss mountains. It is an ultimate meditation space. 2,4

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Hauser, S. / Zumthor, P. (2007) Therme Vals, Berlin: Verlag Scheidegger & Spiess Copans, R. / Neumann, S. (2003) Architectures Documentary Vol 2 4 Glanville, K. (2018) Phenomenology and Peter Zumthor‘s Thermal Baths 3

SENSES AND THE BODY In the center of the building lays the human body. “Heidegger’s innovative thinking placed architecture higher than the technocratic altar of its time. He suggested that if we read architecture through the phenomenological lens, we should realize that architecture is the way people connect to the world and so, it has to help them center themselves there.“

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The structure, its materials, the details and surroundings rot-

ate around it. The Therme Vals is considered a healing space for both the body and mind. Apart from the thermal attractions, the senses are being stimulated throughtout the whole experience. It is the combination of elements such as light, water, stone, air and touch that contributes and impact on the human senses. Almost like experincing a mystical fantasy. Insignificant details, which could lead to the loss of imaginative contemplation and dreams, are skilfully hidden behind the sensitive execution. The building demands to be felt, it interracts with the person not through words, but through atmospheric energy. The simple act of bathing, cleaning, resting and mindfulness is celebrated in the spaces of the Therme Vals. The mountains can be felt through the use of stone throughout the building and the body seems timeless. Forgetting time and instead finding inner mindfulness and healing through a remarkable experince makes the building a work of art. Zumthor respected Heidegger‘s approach, which has been demonstrated in „Building, Dwelling, Thinking“ and agrees to the concept that an architectural space should provide its people with an experience for the senses and allow them to dwell. Designing a space in a Phenomenological approach has been proven successful by Zumthor, furthermore Heidegger‘s thoughts are reflected in those meaningful spaces.

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https://www.academia.edu/30674328/ARCHITECTURE_AND_PHENOMENOLOGY_ZUMTHOR_S_THERME_VALS_SPA_EXAMINED_WITH_A_PHENOMENOLOGICAL_APPROACH

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MATERIALITY Materiality that can be found in the Thermal Bath is mainly natural. Stone, water, metal and even natural light is enabled to enter a few spaces through systematically placed slots. Those natural materials create the atmosphere by their being, by their transformation through time and therefore reflect the age and history of the space.

Although water is not considered a real material, but an element, Zumthor has used it in its maximum advantage. The stone of the facade make it seem like the structure has been build one by one and yet, all together it is a composition of massive local quartzite slabs, perfectly sitting in the mountain as if it belongs there. When walking through the building, inbetween the large quartzite walls, through dark corridors, the space gives of an energy to its visitor which stays throughout the whole experience, a dramatic contrast to the outside world, leaving a person in „sleep“-mode ad still attentive. 5 This energy invites the body to dwell, reflecting back to Heidegger‘s philosophical approach. Zumthor furthermore spoke about his motivation to design spaces which speak to the senses and maintain a powerful, independent character: “To me, buildings can have a beautiful silence that I associate with attributes such as composure, self-evidence, durability, presence, and integrity, and with warmth and sensuousness as well; a building that is being itself, being a building, not representing anything, just being. The sense that I try to instill into materials is beyond all rules of composition, and their tangibility, smell, and acoustic qualities are merely elements of the language we are obliged to use. Sense emerges when I succeed in bringing out the specific meanings of certain materials in my buildings, meanings that can only be perceived in just this way in this one building.”

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Zumthor, P. / Mostafavi, M. (1996) p.2 Thermal Bath Vals, London: AA Publications

CONCLUSION In a Phenomenological approach, the Vals Thermal Bath is indeed a rich and successful project. It is really all about the experience, the idea as well as the little details are all focused upon creating an atmosphere that can be felt by wandering through the space and just being. The human senses are stimulated in a unique and calming, almost healing, way. The eyes are stimulated by the lighting, either warm or cold, dark or an interesting play with natural light and shadows. Material and textures, either rough, smooth or selectively cold stimulate the sense of touch. Aroma flowing through the spaces, evoke ones sense of smell and taste. A respectful silence, running water, echos and whispers contribute to the sense of hearing.

The experience of the Therme Vals creates a link between Architecture and Philosophy, finding its place in Phenomenology. Although the building is a great example for the theory of Phenomenology, it is important to mention that it contradicts with Martin Heideggers original approach, as the building, like most architectural projects, lays importance on mathematical, structural and mechanical, furthermore formal approaches, which in the eye of Heidegger only create and obstruction.6,7 Knowing that, the way Zumthor approached those obstructions careful and meaningful.

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Heidegger, M. (1954) Building, Dwelling, Thinking

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Sharr, A. (2007) Heidegge For Architects, New York: Routledge

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BIBLIOGRAPHY ONLINE SOURCES

• https://www.archdaily.com/13358/the-therme-vals • https://www.architectural-review.com/buildings/thermal-baths-in-vals-switzerland-by-peterzumthor/8616979.article • https://www.slowspace.org/architecture-as-experience-peter-zumthors-thermal-baths/ • https://arcspace.com/feature/vals-thermal-baths/ • https://www.academia.edu/30674328/ARCHITECTURE_AND_PHENOMENOLOGY_ZUMTHOR_S_THERME_VALS_SPA_EXAMINED_WITH_A_PHENOMENOLOGICAL_APPROACH

BOOKS AND ARTICLES

• Heidegger, M. (1954) Building, Dwelling, Thinking • Pallasmaa, J. (2005) 2nd ed. The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses, London: John Wiley & Sons • Sharr, A. (2007) Heidegge For Architects, New York: Routledge • Zumthor, P. (1998) Thinking Architecture, Köln: Lars Müller Publikationen • Hauser, S. / Zumthor, P. (2007) Therme Vals, Berlin: Verlag Scheidegger & Spiess • Zumthor, P. / Mostafavi, M. (1996) Thermal Bath Vals, London: AA Publications • Pol, M. (2014) Vals Thermal Baths, ArcSpace

FILM AND VIDEO

• Copans, R. / Neumann, S. (2003) Architectures Documentary Vol 2 • Glanville, K. (2018) Phenomenology and Peter Zumthor‘s Thermal Baths

PHOTOGRAPHY REFERENCES

Fig. 1: https://vals.ch/erleben/erholung/therme-vals/ Fig. 2, 3, 4: Hauser, S. / Zumthor, P. (2007) Therme Vals, Berlin: Verlag Scheidegger & Spiess Fig. 5: https://www.slowspace.org/architecture-as-experience-peter-zumthors-thermal-baths/