Villa Vals / SeARCH & CMA

Dec 2009

Uploaded by Nico Saieh — Filed under: Featured ,Houses ,Selected , CMA, Concrete, Iwan Baan, SeARCH, Stone, Switzerland

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Architects: SeARCH & CMA
Location: Vals, Switzerland
Design: Bjarne Mastenbroek & Christian Müller
Interior design cardboard bedroom: Studio JVM, Jeroen van Mechelen
Interior design excluding cardboard bedroom: Bjarne Mastenbroek
Interior advises: Christian Müller, Monica Ketting & Thomas Eyck
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
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
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Iwan Baan

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.

@ Iwan Baan

axo

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.

@ Iwan Baan

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.

: @ Iwan Baan

: @ Iwan Baan

: @ Iwan Baan

: @ Iwan Baan

: @ Iwan Baan

: @ Iwan Baan

: @ Iwan Baan

: @ Iwan Baan

: @ Iwan Baan

: @ Iwan Baan

: plan 01

: plan 02

: plans 03 & 04

: Elevation

: section 01

: section 02

: axo

: sketch

Cite:
Saieh , Nico . "Villa Vals / SeARCH & CMA" 09 Dec 2009. ArchDaily. Accessed 04 Feb 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/43187>

Comments (60)
Tweets (26)
Links to this entry (21)

josep says:

speechless! Amazing in so many ways!

# December 9, 2009 at 13:26

Matt says:

really great project!

# December 9, 2009 at 13:39

pathos says:

Incredible.

# December 9, 2009 at 14:07

Stephan says:

I expected a different surrounding, its position is dissapointing to me. Even more shocked by the Vals Therme in the Background, always thought it is surounded by landscape, not by houses.

# December 9, 2009 at 17:21

archiyed says:

absolutely i agree with you!

# December 9, 2009 at 20:13

E says:

It is not as crowded as it seems from the image. Vals is fairly rural and one still gets a wonderful sensation from the mountains.

I only hope the villa has a good heating system because it gets very cold up there.

# December 10, 2009 at 04:22

Rob.i says:

one of the main benefit of the building is that they don’t need a powerful heating system. all the sides are protected by the ground exept for one facade, which is (i guess) exposed to south.

# December 10, 2009 at 04:53

Nick says:

I have been in the Vals Therme and must admit, being inside, you don’t see any of these Houses, but the wonderful alpes and few old cottages..

# December 10, 2009 at 17:09

Aristid Chang says:

brilliant!

# December 9, 2009 at 20:57

wangshiqi says:

有趣的设计，中国的窑洞与这个很相似哦。

# December 9, 2009 at 21:13

mnkhs says:

one of the most amazing projects this year

# December 9, 2009 at 22:27

nidoll says:

so cute

# December 10, 2009 at 03:30

wtf111 says:

That thing will be a bitch to shovel when there’s snow ;)

# December 10, 2009 at 04:12

Hubbmax says:

Exactly. First thing I thought of. Wouldn’t this area have long, heavily snowed-in winters?

# December 15, 2009 at 13:22

Mahreen says:

Amazing project.

# December 10, 2009 at 05:45

Andrew Geber says:

lovely

# December 10, 2009 at 06:07

gn says:

that’s exactly what I wanted from you archdaily!!!!! awesome

# December 10, 2009 at 06:44

shankar narayan says:

bravo!

# December 10, 2009 at 07:07

ingrid says:

charming.

# December 10, 2009 at 09:20

gorgos says:

I really respect the out of the box thinking of this project.

One point of criticism: Was it really the only way the problem was able to be solved regarding the fence which protects people from falling in from above? It looks rather clumsy. Maybe the wall of the house itself could have continued a bit more vertically to protect. The fence to me sort of represents the fact this concept is lacking real world practicality.

I too was surprised with the congested surroundings the thermal baths of Zumthor are located in. The steep inclinations of the landscape, which are not obvious on the aerial photos, probable help a lot though.

# December 10, 2009 at 10:28

Andreas says:

That fence is the standard fence used on Swiss ski hills for protecting ski traffic from cliff drops etc. The hill behind the baths can be skied from Vals resort so I am sure it is a must by the resort. They look pretty makeshift but when there is a 2m snowfall base they work really well.

I agree though, it does remove somewhat from the project styling.

# December 10, 2009 at 19:21

bebeb says:

It’s not a ski protecting fence but an avalance fence.
Rather ‘handy’ when there’s 2 meters of snow or a big shift from the roadshovel 20-meters uphill. Funny enough it’s not obligatory since you can drop down anywhere in this steep valley

# December 11, 2009 at 15:57

C says:

I think is beautiful, but in the same time is SO weird, no??

# December 10, 2009 at 11:46

CMO ARCH says:

More pictures here…

http://thechive.com/2009/12/07/amazing-underground-house-on-a-hill-24-photos/

# December 10, 2009 at 12:47

chenlu98 says:

冬暖夏凉视野也不错！
不知窑洞可否叫cave dwelling

# December 11, 2009 at 01:47

hazel swayne says:

Would you live here? An #innovative architectural project. http://bit.ly/8rZcoR

# December 11, 2009 at 14:48

tim nolan says:

Live here? http://www.archdaily.com/43187/villa-vals-search-cma/ I might

# December 11, 2009 at 14:51

harry says:

Great

# December 11, 2009 at 16:30

Al says:

Great reveresed house, although i would like to meet more wood inside,

# December 11, 2009 at 16:37

Daniel says:

Wow wow que bueno ver proyectos como este………..nice saludos de México

# December 12, 2009 at 09:47

adli says:

brilliant, i love how smart it’s integrated in surrounding space. and the inner space looks cosy and smart too. i give 9/10

# December 13, 2009 at 12:33

have a closer look at http://www.villavals.ch or http://www.vllavals.com
the house has its own website

# December 13, 2009 at 14:51

of course it should be http://www.villavals.com, not http://www.vllavals.com

# December 13, 2009 at 14:52

mckowalczyk says:

I really like it! :D

# December 15, 2009 at 14:41

saimon says:

brillant!

# December 15, 2009 at 21:36

ali shaghaghi says:

good & simple concept

# December 16, 2009 at 01:52

tseug says:

Great job! i like its simplicity

# December 16, 2009 at 05:53

Great job! i like it

Mario Estay says:

Incredible project and beautiful place. I really love this job

# December 17, 2009 at 19:48

Laurent Gloaguen says:

Pas de minarets en Suisse, mais des maisons originales http://www.archdaily.com/43187/villa-vals-search-cma/

# December 18, 2009 at 10:53

ALI says:

it’s incridible;i love it!

# December 19, 2009 at 05:34

Esben says:

Nice, very fascinating.

# December 26, 2009 at 11:28

mybirthdayis925 says:

one of te most inspiring project i have ever seen
i can see there is room for developing

# January 1, 2010 at 22:10

patrick cristaldi says:

Somebody was pointing out that is disapponting that the house is sorrounded by other houses.
This is the greatness of this project, its etichal statement. The house is telling us: “If everybody else builds the same way as I did, the landscape would be mostly preserved. And I’m not doing this for my own interest (I dont see myself from my windows) but for yours!”

# January 6, 2010 at 04:08

Toumisha says:

SIMPLY THE BEST…AMZNG

# January 19, 2010 at 08:03

Steven says:

Very good!

# January 28, 2010 at 11:40

Ana Cristina says:

when i was little I wanted to live underground… so this is pretty awesome to me http://www.archdaily.com/43187/villa-vals-search-cma

# February 24, 2010 at 18:34

Guilherme Rebelo says:

gênio! http://tinyurl.com/y8569x5

# March 12, 2010 at 08:41

Mark Bailey says:

Dream House of the Day: Villa Vals by SeARCH & CMA – http://ow.ly/1gnpP

# March 14, 2010 at 21:30

Dream House of the Day: Villa Vals by SeARCH & CMA – http://ow.ly/1gnqk

Luiz Dumont says:

Reading: "Villa Vals / SeARCH & CMA | ArchDaily"( http://twitthis.com/y2fez7 )

# May 12, 2010 at 17:18

Doda says:

Villa Vals, onde eu queria morar: http://www.archdaily.com/43187/villa-vals-search-cma/

# June 7, 2010 at 09:09

Mandy Fierens says:

@kevinholesh You would like this http://www.archdaily.com/43187/villa-vals-search-cma/

# June 25, 2010 at 16:52

LooLoo says:

Very cool project. The only thing I don’t like, is that it seems a bit too crowded inside, because of all those very dominating lamps everywhere. If they got rid of those and the blue hot tub in the courtyard, it would be the best resort.

# June 26, 2010 at 07:46

Diego Carvalho says:

http://www.archdaily.com/43187/villa-vals-search-cma/ Que tal morar em um buraco ?(literalmente)

# June 26, 2010 at 08:33

Edgard Georges says:

Como viver em uma toca, com classe: Villa Vals, Suiça: http://tinyurl.com/26srr8a

# June 26, 2010 at 18:57

Shawn Swisher says:

is there another home that encapsulates modernity and anthropology this well? please show me! http://tinyurl.com/y8569x5

# June 27, 2010 at 21:13

bialopes says:

villa vals ou hobitt? http://www.archdaily.com/43187/villa-vals-search-cma/ arquitetura contemporanea!

# June 29, 2010 at 20:56

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# November 10, 2011 at 14:09

Claus Schioldann von Eyben says: