Villa Vals

The Hole (eng-ita) ENG - Shouldn’t it be possible to conceal a house in an Alpine slope while still exploiting the wonderful views and allowing light to enter the building? Surprised that it was permissible to construct a pair of dwellings so close to the world famous thermal baths of Vals, the client seized the opportunity to develop the site, without disturbing the bath’s expansive views. The introduction of a central patio into the steep incline creates a large façade with considerable potential for window openings. The viewing angle from the building is slightly inclined, giving an even more dramatic view of the strikingly beautiful mountains on the opposite side of the narrow valley. The Local Authority’s well intentioned caution, that unusual modern proposals were generally not favoured, proved unfounded. The planners were pleased that the proposal did not appear ‘residential’ or impose on the adjacent baths building. The scheme was not perceived as a typical structure but rather an example of pragmatic unobtrusive development in a sensitive location. The placing of the entrance via an old Graubünder barn and an underground tunnel further convinced them that the concept, while slightly absurd, could still be permitted. Switzerland’s planning laws dictate that it is only possible to grant a definitive planning permission after a timber model of the building’s volume has first been constructed on site. This can then be accurately appraised by the local community and objected to if considered unsuitable. For this proposal, logic prevailed and this part of the process was deemed to be unnecessary. ITA - La casa, denominata anche The Hole (il buco), appare nascosta nel pendio alpino, pur sfruttando la meravigliosa vista e permettendo alla luce di entrare nell'edificio. Il committente, sorpreso che fosse consentito costruire così vicino alle famose terme di Vals di Peter Zumthor, ha colto l'occasione per valorizzare il sito, senza disturbare le ampie viste delle terme. L'introduzione di un patio centrale nel ripido pendio crea una grande facciata con un notevole potenziale per le aperture delle finestre. L'angolo della visuale dall'edificio è leggermente inclinato, il che consente una visione ancora più forte e impattante delle belle montagne sul lato opposto della stretta valle. I progettisti sono soddisfatti che la proposta non si sia imposta sulle adiacenti terme. Il progetto è stato percepito come un esempio di sviluppo pragmatico e discreto in una posizione delicata. L'ubicazione dell’ingresso all’interno di un vecchio fienile e attraverso un tunnel sotterraneo ha convinto ulteriormente il committente che il concept del progetto, per quanto potesse sembrare assurdo, potesse effettivamente essere approvato dalle Autorità locali. All’interno, la casa, quasi interamente arredata con mobili moderni provenienti dall’Olanda, possiede una configurazione compatta delle stanze da letto al primo piano che crea inaspettati effetti spaziali con letti a castello, bagni in quota e podi rialzati con letti king-size. photo credits: © Iwan Baan - http://www.iwan.com/photo_SeARCH_Villa_Vals.php Architects: SeARCH and CMA Design: Bjarne Mastenbroek & Christian Müller Interior design cardboard bedroom: Studio JVM, Jeroen van Mechelen (www.studiojvm.nl) Interior design excluding cardboard bedroom: Bjarne Mastenbroek Interior advises: Christian Müller, Monica Ketting & Thomas Eyck (www.thomaseyck.com) Contractor main structure: Kurt Schnyder Bauunternehmung, Vals, CH Structural engineering: Alex Kilchmann, Schluein, CH Glass façade engineering and construction: Walch GmbH, Ludesch, AT Carpenter, interior finishing: A. Gartmann AG, Vals, CH Cardboard interior: Nedcam shaping technology, Apeldoorn, NL Cupboards, step chest: van hier tot Tokio’, Japanese Antiques, Amsterdam, NL Electrical installations: Comet GmbH, Vals, CH Plumbing & Water installations: Oscar Caduff, Vals, CH Mechanical Ventilation & heating regeneration: Lippuner EMT AG, Grabs, CH Avalanche protection: Geobrugg AG, Romanshorn, CH Fire places and stoves: Maurus Cathomas, Ilanz, CH