May-June 2012

ARCHITECTURE
Villa Vals embedded in its
landscape in Summer
Villa Vals in Winter
VILLA VALS,
SWITZERLAND
“Each project is unique, each
process different, each solution
provided reflects the style
appropriate to the challenge set.”-
Villa Vals
Holiday Villa Vals in Vals,
Switzerland, is joint venture of
SeARCH and Christian Müller
Architects. Designed by Bjarne
Mastenbroek and Christian
Müller, the villa is ideally located
in renowned Swiss village
hosting a world famous thermal
spa designed by architect Peter
Zumthor. Exhibiting less residential
characteristics as well as belonging
to its surrounding yet not
dominating it were the demands of
its developers.
A side of the hill was excavated 36
feet deep and reinforced concrete
retaining wall was constructed.
A concave aperture was given to
the façade of the site with a box
of 52 feet width and 26 feet depth
for the building. A two-and-a-half
storey building was aimed at the
site. The ground floor had common
spaces and a bedroom opening
to the patio. The rooms on the first
floor were planned on split levels
accessed through a long corridor,
exhibiting its unique cloistered
apartment character. The intention
of remaining concealed yet
accentuating was to keep the
panoramic view of narrow mount
valley and the neighborhood
undisturbed by construction.
Even though Villa Vals is less
resembling to contemporary
practice, it embraces local
building techniques, materials,
and craftsmanship. The façade as
well as the interior of the building
uses stones recovered from
the site. Besides, in compliance
to the characteristic of Alpine
architecture, a simple barn (made
of wood and stone) existing in
the site was incorporated in the
design. A 72 feet long tunnel was
excavated ascending from the barn
to the concave aperture of site.
The walls of the building are
insulated from the ground, thus
avoiding the moisture and dampness
of land. With an aim of minimum
dependence in artificial means of
energy, sustainable mechanical
systems, such as a ground-source
heat pump, heat exchanger,
and radiant floors have been
incorporated in design. The house
also uses hydroelectric power
generated at the nearby Zervreila
Water Dam.
Villa Vals has received a number
of recognitions, like Wallpaper*
Design Awards 2011 “Best New
Private House”, London Winner
‘Green Good Design Award’, The
Chicago Athenaeum, Chicago. Some
of notable publications of Villa Vals
include AD Architectural Digest,
March 2010 , Moscow, Architectural
Record, 4/2010, New York, GRAND
DESIGNS, May 2010, Epping, UK,
and many more.
spacesnepal.com 30
May - June 2012