PETER ZUMTHOR VALS THERMAL BATHS STILL DRAWS CROWDS 26 YEARS LATER

## The Stone Cathedral That Redefined Wellness Peter Zumthor completed the Vals Thermal Baths in 2000, creating what many consider the most important spa building of the 21st century. The Swiss architect carved his masterpiece into a hillside 4,757 feet above sea level in the Graubünden canton. 60,000 slabs of locally quarried Vals quartzite form the building's monolithic walls. Each slab measures approximately 3 feet by 1 foot, creating a texture that mimics the surrounding Alpine landscape. ## Engineering Marvel Meets Ancient Ritual The complex taps into natural hot springs that reach temperatures of 86 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Zumthor designed the building to feel like an ancient Roman bath discovered after centuries underground. Construction took 4 years and cost approximately $30 million Swiss francs in 2000. The architect specified that every quartzite slab be hand selected to ensure perfect color matching. ## Pritzker Prize Winner's Defining Work Zumthor won the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2009, with the Vals project cited as evidence of his mastery. The jury praised how he transformed a simple spa program into a spiritual experience. The building measures 203 feet long and extends 50 feet underground. Natural light enters through carefully placed openings that create dramatic shadows throughout the day. ## Instagram Architecture Before Instagram Existed Type 7's recent Instagram post calling it "legendary" reflects the building's enduring appeal 26 years after opening. Architecture students and wellness tourists make pilgrimages to experience Zumthor's stone cathedral. The spa restricts daily visitors to maintain its contemplative atmosphere. Hotel guests at the 7132 Hotel receive priority access to the baths. ## Modern Wellness Mecca in Alpine Village Vals village has only 980 residents, making the thermal baths its primary attraction. The building generates over 100,000 visitors annually, transforming the remote Alpine community. Zumthor's design philosophy emphasizes sensory experience over visual spectacle. The quartzite walls absorb sound, creating an almost cathedral like silence broken only by flowing water. ## Legacy That Shaped Spa Design Architects worldwide now reference the Vals project when designing wellness facilities. Projects like Gando School Library by Francis Kéré and Therme Vals influenced a generation of architects to prioritize materiality and atmosphere. The building appears in over 200 architecture books published since 2000. Phaidon's "Architecture Today" calls it "the most influential spa design of the modern era." ## Future of Contemplative Architecture Zumthor continues working at 83 years old, recently completing the Los Angeles County Museum of Art expansion in 2024. His Vals approach of using local materials and emphasizing sensory experience influences sustainable design practices. The thermal baths will likely remain relevant as architects seek alternatives to flashy, Instagram focused buildings. Zumthor proved that restraint and material honesty create more lasting impact than digital age spectacle.