therme vals | graubunden canton, switzerland | peter...

Therme Vals | Graubunden Canton, Switzerland | Peter Zumthor

Arch 3114 Term 2 2012-2013, STUDIO U4 Structure & Passive Environmental Design Case Study Research Qian Ruobing 1155002136Du Wenfei 1155001905

Ng Tsing Yin 1155017979

SITE ANALYSIS

LOCATION

CLIMATE

Vals is a remote village located in the Penninicum zone of the Alps and belongs to the Alpine, continental climate zone, with the Alpine ridge forming the climate line. Since Vals lies directly on the border to the canton of Ticino, you can really notice the Mediterranean influence.

The village is located in the valley and the Thermal Vals was set on the slope. It faces to the grand mountain views which experiences distinguished seasonal change over the year.

Vegetation in Switzerland is derived from that of the four European climatic regions that converge in the

SUN ANGLE

Noon (12:00pm)

March 21st : 43.5°June 21st: 75°Sep 21st: 45°Dec 21st: 20°

Great difference of the sun angle can be found between summer and winter time, which leads to the large temperature and lightness difference.

In the summer the sun is almost 80 degrees in altitude and is above the winter altitude for almost 12 hours. In December, the sun is quite low all day, never rising above 20 degrees in altitude.

The ceiling of thermal vals has a wonderful ribbon of light shafts running along walls – since all windows are on the south east face of the building, these ceiling apertures would really take off after noon when there is no longer a eastern stream coming through the windows.

The geography of Switzerland encompasses the geographical features of Switzerland, a mountainous and landlocked country located in Western and Central Europe. It is surrounded by 5 countries: Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, France to the west, Italy to the south and Germany to the north.

Switzerland has a maximum north-south length of 220 kilometres and an east-west length of about 350 kilometres.

Our case Thermal Bath Vals is located in the canon of Graubuenden, Switzerland. Sited on a slope of the valley, the building was surrounded by 5 main hotels and a traditional small village.

The Swiss climate is generally temperate, but can vary greatly between the localities, from glacial conditions on the mountaintops to the often pleasant near Mediterranean climate at Switzerland's southern tip.

Appealing Factors of the Climate:

- Cool, extremely dry- Clean air, scarce clouds- virtual absence of fog- Prevalent and intensive sunshine

According to the Koppen Map Climate Classification, Vals, Switzerland is classified into the group Dfb, which means the climate there is tending to be colder than most countries in the world. And somewhere on the Alps, it even has polar climate(ET) due to the height.

LOCAL CONDITION& VEGETATION

country and has been influenced by the varied relief. During the summer time, the highest temperature will not above 30 degree. Pasture covers the mountain as well as the bath roof. However, since they are on the border to the south side of the Alps, Vals as well as northern Ticino and Engadine receive heavy snowfall in the wintertime.

Location of Vals

Location of Therme Vals

Topographic map of Switzerland

Koppen Map (Europe Part)

Summer

Winter

Sunpath Diagram

Sunlight Chart




Average number of rainy days per month and hours of sunshine per day

Annual Temperature

Temperature

The highest temperature average: 27°CThe lowest temperature average: -2°CAnnual temperature drop: 29°C

Precipitation

Average Annual Precipitation: 933mmThe most distinguished precipitation features of vals is that it rains a lot during the winter time( as well as snow)

During the winter time (Dec-Feb), Switzerland is under the control of Westerliesit. Adding the effect of coriolis force, the wind direction and intensity are sited on the North-West. West wind brings the vapour from the Atlantic ocean, together with the rainfall and wet weather.

After the Spring Equinox, the Sun originally overhead in the southern hemisphere moves north gradually. West wind is weakened and south-east wind grows.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Spring(Mar-May)

Summer(June-August)

Autumn(Sep-Nov)

Prevailing Wind Direction: North-WestAverage Wind Speed : 5

WIND

The temperature is the same as the normal temperate countries; however, the precipitation of Switzerland is a little different from other areas. Affected by the Westerlies, Switzerland Vals has an average of 121.1 days of rain per year and on average receives 1,185 mm of precipitation. The wettest month is August during which time Vals receives an average of <100 mm of precipitation. During this month there is precipitation for an average of 12.6 days. The month with the most days of precipitation is May, with an average of 12.8, but with only 129 mm of precipitation. The driest month of the year is January with an average of 55 mm of precipitation over 12.6 days.

TEMPERATURE& HUMIDITY

Sunlight:

Annual Sunshine Hour: 1541hVals rains a lot in spring. From the chart, it is easy to see that May is at the peak of the annual rainy days. And during this time, the sunlight reduced to minimum.

Since rainfall tends to increase in direct proportion to altitude, precipitation varies according to relief. Thus, because of the marked variation in relief that characterizes Switzerland, differences in precipitation within short linear distances are often very great.

Prevailing winds are mainly from the west, but in valleys air currents are channelled into particularly frequent or violent local winds such as the Bise, a cold northeast wind that sweeps across the Mittelland and funnels down Lake Geneva to the city of Geneva. Foehn (German: Föhn) winds, which are associated with the leading edge of a low-pressure system moving across Europe north of Switzerland, often blow for one or two days; though they may occur anytime during the year, they are most frequent in spring. Sudden temperature increases occur because the foehn, which crosses the Alps from south to north (it can also blow from north to south, affecting Ticino), cools at a slower rate rising over the mountains because of precipitation; it is

then heated and dried as it descends down the northern valleys, thereby moderating the climate on the northern slopes of the Alps.

http://www.holidaycheck.com/climate-wetter_Vals-ebene_oid-id_14811.htmlhttp://www.windfinder.com/windstats/windstatistic_san_bernardino.htm&fspot=stafelti




Out of the eastern land of the basin-shaped valley of Vals, a good 1200 meters above sea level rises a spring. The site next to the spring was once occupied by a modest spa hotel dating from 1893. The hotel had a number of finely appointed bathing cabins and shower rooms, and from around 1930, its clientele dwindled. The committee decided to bought the spa area in the name of the village and further developed it.

It was designed to follow the role: The establishing of a special relationship with the monument landscape, its natural power, geological substance and impressive topography. It tries to make us believe that it is always standing there and seems to be the part of the landscape. It is probably profoundly archaic heritage.

The new thermal baths is an independent structure set into the sloping southwest corner of the existing hotel. Access is via a subterranean passage leading from the hotel.

The thermal bath is an independent structure. The building takes the form of a large, grass-covered stone object set deep into the mountain and dovetailed into its flank. Working with the natural surroundings the bath rooms lay below a grass roof structure half buried into the hillside.

Design--Site

Natural Surroundings Humanistic Environment

Historical Site

When the first spa resort was developed in 1893, an ancient basin was dig out, laying just beneath the foundation of Therme Vals today. People could not make sure whether it was for religion or not, but at least it announced itself as a site with a long tradition in the relationship with the thermal spring.

While looking for an architectural idiom to express our “underground” baths, we noted several parallels close by: the many tunnels and galleries constructed between Ilans Vals to protect the road from rockfall and avalanches, and the dam of the Zervreila reservoir way back in the valley: all powerful and impressive architectures, feats of civil engineering built into the mountains to keep them in check but also testifying to their might. And the interiors of these structures are essential, quintessential. Sometimes they are like cathedrals, as shown in the picture taken inside the Albigna dam.-------Peter Zumthor




This space was designed for visitors to luxuriate and rediscover the ancient benefits of bathing. The combinations of light and shade, open and enclosed spaces and linear elements make for a highly sensuous and restorative experience. The underlying informal layout of the internal space is a carefully modelled path of circulation which leads bathers to certain predetermined points but lets them explore other areas for themselves. The perspective is always controlled. It either ensures or denies a view.

Program Layout

Secondary Floor: the primal act of bathingMake-up room, changing room, Showers

Main Floor: a series of stones cubic volumesThe central bath, the outdoor bath, the terrace

The first idea consist of cutting gigantic tables out of the blocks of our quarry, them joining them together and stacking them on top of each other in order to get the building that we envisioned. But then the image of a great monolith began to take hold.

The space in between them was there as well, creating many places where certain functions instantly nestled: pools of water, hot and cold baths, runnels, waterfalls… The work in this space-we call it a meander-played a substantial role in shaping the blocks. But the blocks owe their shape not only to the spatial wishes that the meander had to fulfil. The bath is also conceived in terms of the blocks. Above all, as a construction. But also as a composition.

To enrich the visual experience and to distinguish the expression of each of them, the bathrooms are colored according to the warmth of their water.

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Program Layout

Fire Bath, looking inside the block

Indoor Pool

Design--Program




Ecology-- Daylight

Window--View Window--Lighting

Most of the windows, big or small, are facing down the slope, in such way that they have an elevated view of the mountain opposite and the village in the vally. Grand views are availiabe around the year.

Inside, on the eastern side of the building, there are two rest areas - essentially, alcoves with big windows looking over the valley. The window is flushed with the outside wall to gain more area that can be heated by sun. In summer, this area is much warmer than in winter.

Winter

Summer

Orientation

Large openings are on the east side to recieve the morning sunshine.

The outdoor pool locates in the South to gain more sunshine at noon.

Winter sun rise at 08:18

Summer sun rise at 05:48

E

Winter 20°

Spring &Autum 43.5°

Summer 67°

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Skylight--Fissures

Ecology-- Lighting

Artificial Light

Fissures are arranged in a certain pattern so that they are intersecting to form the shape of T instead of a cross. Aesthetically, the light on the stone walls are somewhat like the marks left by the spring.

Narrow spaces are assigned with long fissures letting sunlight in. These avoid opening numbers of windows, so that more heat can be trapped in this building.

Light slits add to the sense of fluidity of the overall space.One side of the block is washed by top light while the other part of the stone wall sinks into darkness, making the light path more extraordinary.

Roof birdview

The spot light on the roof plate above the indoor pool. The size of the light facility is about 1/5 of that of the opening, letting natrual light flow into the pool during the day. The blue bold will add some cold and mysteriour tone to the sunlight, creating the atmosphere.

The effect of the spot light. Interior photos towards the indoor pool.

Corridor

Corridor leading from the hotel lobby to the bath. Spot light under the water.

With gloomy light, you back to the ancient time; with blue light, you next to the water




Ecology-- Thermal Performance

Natural Heating

The outdoor pool on the southern end of thermal vals is protected from the wind on 3 of four sides and uses the thermal mass of water and stone to retain heat and create a bit of an outdoor microclimate throughout the day, in summer and in winter. These two images show the relation between the sun and a particular stone block throughout a winter day. the block’s position is such that it is in direct sunlight for the majority of the day – passively heated.

Summer

Winter

http://wmn4r.wordpress.com/2010/12/02/therme-vals-microclimate-and-passive-design/

Thermal Capacity of Stone and Water

The thermal capacity of the stone is much lower than that of the water. Facing to the sun, the temperature of the stone rises fast, so that the heat will be transferred to the water.

Heating Effect with Solar Altitude

Solar Elevation Angle (SEA) changes with season. The larger the angle of sunlight and the surface of the Earth, the more effective the heating effect is. For Switzerland, a country with large latitude, solar altitude in winter is too small to keep warm. Thus it is significant to gain more area that can receive direct sun radiation.

Heating Estimation

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W/sqm on HS

In summer

SEA at noon =67°

W/sqm on Horizontal Surface estimates about 930W/sqm

Every house the concrete surface will gain Q=power x time x surface area =930W/sqm x 3600s x 27sqm= 90400 kJ

The surface temperature of the stone goes upQ=cm△ t △ t = 90400kJ/ (0.97(KJ/kg ℃ )) (100000kg) = 0.93 ℃

Which means in the noon hour in the summer, the surface temperature of the stone will raise by 0.93℃ .

In winter

SEA at noon =20°

W/sqm on Horizontal Surface estimates about 240W/sqm

Every house the concrete surface will gain Q=power x time x surface area =240W/sqm x 3600s x 27sqm= 23328 kJ

The surface temperature of the stone goes upQ=cm△ t △ t = 23328KJ/ (0.97(KJ/kg ℃ )) (100000kg) = 0.24℃

The stone is only a little bit warmer than that of water, but when the thermal conductivity of water and concrete is compared, that of the concrete is much higher, thus the reception of warmth is higher on the block.

The surface area of the stone = 27sqmMass of the stone block= 10000 kg

Plan, showing the highlighted stone adjacent to the outdoor pool

Water volumn in the pool = 360 cubic meterWater mass= 360000 kg




Response to Climate and WaterContraction and Expansion of the Greenroof

The separation of roof plates and connection with rubber in the joint allow contraction and expansion without developing structure failure. The roof is followed the structural principle and in the same time, providing a fantastic visual effect and atmosphere.

turf

meshconcrete

concrete

waterproofing glass rubber

L steel concrete to hold it compound

Temperature and Water

Highest Temperature around the year in Vals27°C in July and AugustLowest Temperature -15°C in January

Highest temperature of the water in thermal bath 36°CColdest water 14°C

The weight of the indoor pool water: 50 tonsThe weight of the outdoor pool water: 100 tons

The building is in the valley in a cold temperate zone, whereas it is also a thermal bath. It has to confront with the temperature, weight of water and the seasonal change. The water in the pool is changed every week, during which the several tons of water disappear and then appear again; the wall exposed to the air is -15, while that in the water is above 36. Thus the contradition and expansion is inevitable.

Different Systems of Foundation and Roof

Digital model showing the position of green roof, which is connected to the mountain.

Photo from south facade. Green roof is flat.

Conceptual drawing. 15 blocks.

Cantilevered roof. Tie beams hold the cantilever and the wire on the vertical wall goes to the ground.

In the foundation of the building, the concrete is a whole and uniform piece. For the temperature of the underground will be kept balanced due to its thermal preservation property. For the portion which faces to the exterior or to the large temperature oscillation, the building module was divided into several slabs to allow enough expansion and contraction.

Consequently, the roof slabs are separated and the joint should perform the expansion without causing faliure. And the stones on the wall should not be cladded, otherwise they will fall down due to thermal movement.

Comparison of thermal expansion of concrete and rubber. Rubber can withstand extreme temperatures without losing its elasticity.




Construction Type-- Material Description

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kecko/7782512578/

The historical village in the vally of Vals, located in the canon of Graubuenden, Switzerland. The barn and the house were roofed with Valser quaritize slabes for a long tradition. The abundant storage was found in nearby mountain mine and the slabs were processed locally by a manufactory.

We observed the place, its surroundings. We were interested in the stone roofs, their structure reminiscent of reflexes on water. We walked around the village and, suddenly, everywhere there were boulders, big and small walls, loosely stacked rough plates, split material; we saw quarries of different sizes, slopes cut away, and rock formations. Thinking of our baths, of the hot springs pushing out of the earth behind our building site, we found the gneiss in Vals more and more interesting; we started looking at it in greater detail – split, hewn, cut, polished; we discovered the white “eyes” in what is called augen gneiss, the mica, the mineral structure, the layers, the infinitely iridescent tones of grey.

------Peter Zumthor

Properties

Convinient and cheap.Easy to be processed. High resistance to temperature change.

The ediface of the building was constructed by 60,000 pieces of Valser quaritize slabs from the quarry 1000m further up the vally, and those slabs were transported to the site and built on the same slope.

He went back to the essence of bathing.

"I knew from a book the Rudas Bath in the period of turkish colonial time. Light came from the small opening on the dome, illustrating a space which might not be perfect for bathing: some stone sinks were filled with water, vipor was on the surface. In the dim light of sky, the whole atmosphere is totally relaxing. In the shadow of the lateral rooms, we seemed to hear sound of water which rings differently with the echo of the room. The serenity, peace and primitivity made people prostrate to it. "

------Peter Zumthor

Stone and water thus became his focus. They interacted with each other to generate the expected and unexpected atmosphere and interpreted the meaning of bathing.




Construction Method-- Expression

To achieve the specific aspiration in the site of Vals, the stone became the driving inspiration for the design, and is used with great dignity and respect.

Whilst these initially appear random, like an ashlar wall, there is a regular order. The cladding stones are of three different heights, 61mm, 47mm and 31mm. Althought the sequence of the three types was not in any regulation, these three are always put on top each other to form a strip, together with motar of 3mm, so that the total of the three is always 15cm, so it allows for variety in arrangement, whilst facilitating construction.

The butt joins are always scarttered to enhance the stability. But there is no repetitive pattern, so that it will not draw any attention of the visitor and is recessive to the background when compared to typical brick walls. This continuity, a crucial factor in the provision of a state of visual calm, depends heavily on the absence of visually superfluous elements that might unbalance the composition or otherwise disrupt the perception of the whole.

The baths were designed to look as if they pre-dated the hotel complex, as if they were a form of cave or quarry-like structure. This is particularly evident from observing the grass roof structure of the baths, which resemble the foundations of an archaeological site, and reveal the form of the various bath rooms which lie below, half buried into the hill-side.

15 cm is also the standard height of each step of the staircase.

Peter Zumthor pays meticulous attention to materials and to their visual, tactile and even olfactory attributes. He applies materials with the sophisticated precision and he pursues the sills and techniques of construction.

The whole building is built by stone. The section and profile of the structure as a whole is determined by a conscious series of natural stone strata--Layer upon layer of Vals gneiss.

The principle of uniform stone layering was consistent throughout the building, forming the texture of floor, stairs and walls. The deep, graphite colored stones were not mere facing, but wholly structural as well. Zumthor took a very different way of constructing the wall. The two layers of brick slabs were constructed first and then concrete was cast into the void space between the layers. Concrete is the part that takes the weight of the roof but stones can be taken as concrete template which sustains the pressure of pre-curing concrete.

Stone Strata

the corner was carefully constructed so that both surfaces are random and smooth.




Construction Method

Comparison of walls in Thermal Vals and typical masonry walls

Double leaf masonry: Two layers of uniform modules interlock or paralleled. In the latter case, concrete will be poured into the wall and tie rods will help to stick two layers together.

Concrete wall with cladding: Template helped to shape the concrete and will be taken down after curing. Cladding tiles has no structural meaning but only hang on to the concrete. There is possibility that the tiles could fall off due to loose connection.

Concrete Masonry: The concrete masonry units are stacked to form the structure. Can either be reinforced or not reinforced. Infill will be poured into the cores to combine the units.

Walls in Thermal Vals: Bricks are of different thickness so that zigzag contour lines were formed in the section. The touching area between bricks and concrete has increased so that stones will stick more firmly to the concrete, thus no tie rods are required.

Reinforced cores are filled with grout to secure the reinforcing in proper relationship to the structure.

Support: The concrete masonry unit. Could also be reinforced.

Could have a cavity to increase thermal performance. The courses are paralleled but intersected in the corner.

Support: Bricks.

The stone layers are erected first and become the tempelate of concrete. The inner surface is not smooth so that the stones strongly stick to the concrete. Two dimensional steel cage inside concrete, without any reinforce connecting the stone layers.

Support: Concrete.

Double wythe Wall Concrete Masonry Wall Therme Vals

Tempelate and reinforce bars are set up before the concrete was cast. The timberframe work will later be disassembled.

Support: Concrete. Reinforce bars take tensile forces.

Concrete Wall




Concealment of Insignificant Details

Response to Confrontation

In terms of appearance, the stone-course-layering scheme plays a central role in the creation of a setting for bathing which expresses a poetic metaphor; however it also serves a more important function in relation to the technicalities of the building’s embodiment and the mundane demands of its setting. The layered construction of the walls as well as the expansive network of technical infrastructure required for the provision of comfortable conditions for the programme are in direct contrast with what is expressed in the areas experienced by bathers, which are characterised by a minimal, seemingly simple and unassuming aesthetic. Moreover, what is apparent in Therme Vals is a recurring motif of concealment in which the architect very purposefully employs the use of systems which are subsequently hidden from the view of the bathers.

This aspect of the scheme’s role in the construction is best illustrated in a series of key moments, most notably in the assembly of the external walls of the building, the relationship between the inner concrete cores and its accompanying layers, and the fitting of hte thermally insulated window frames. In keeping with the technique of perimeter insulation outlined previously, a thin layer of insulation is applied on the exterior perimeter of the building which cuts the concrete floor slabs into two pieces which rest on the same pillar. This layer extends upwards and meets the horizontal insulation layer of the roof slab, thus providing a continuous insulating perimeter. The same technique is used in the side fittings of the window frames, which are held in place by T-shaped insulation members adjoined to the primary insulating layer. The windows are subsequently placed directly onto these thermally insulating fittings, preventing any heat loss through the contact of the window frames with the cold exterior concrete and stone compound masonry10. The effect of the compound masonry surface however is never disrupted by the underlying complexity; on the contrary it binds it and conceals it, thus maintaining the continuous appearance of the stone layers.

What is revealed in published drawings of the building is the presence of thick mass on certain ends of the concrete blocks that comprise the building’s body. In the majority of cases, the layers combine to form a double-leaf load bearing pillar which supports the soaring cantilevering roof slabs. Due to structural requirements, the walls on the cantilevering side of the roof are thicker than the others; however, what is revealed through the study of the layered principle in the construction of the walls is the presence of gaps between the layers of concrete and compound masonry. Drawn as black masses on paper, these houses a significant amount of the technical infrastructure of the baths, most importantly the drainage system from the green roofs as well as plumbing and electrical installations. The roof slabs themselves consist of 480mm members of pressurised reinforced concrete, with added layers of thermal and vapour insulation beneath the grass roof finishing. In order to aid water collection and drainage, the underlying layers of the green roof including the concrete are given a concave shape which concentrates the water and channels it through the concealed system of drains mentioned previously.

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Figure 8: Plan illustrating the layers of construction at the bath level. 1 : 200

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1 Exterior Wall 1a. Stone Wall Slab 1b. Filled-in Concrete 1c. Insulation 1d. Reinforce steel bar

2 Interior Wall 2a. Stone Wall 2b. Concrete 2c. Cavity

4. Expansion Joint Roof Connection 4a. L-steel 4b. Turf 4c. Protective Glass Layer 4d. Double layer Glass 4e. Frame Support 4f. Rubber

5 Roof 5a. Steel Support 5b. Concrete Slab 5c. Wire Reinforcing 5d. Insulation 5e. Reinforce bars 5f. Skylight Channel

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3 Floor 3a. Ground Tile 3b. Radiant Heating system 3c. Insulation 3d. Concrete Floor Slab

therme vals | graubunden canton, switzerland | peter...

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