morphosis plans mirrored skyscraper for swiss valley site

morphosis plans mirrored skyscraper for swiss valley site
all images courtesy of morphosis architects

morphosis architects have revealed the design of a new luxury hotel to be built in vals, switzerland. the unveiling of the scheme follows an international competition in which eight of the world’s leading architectural practices contended for the opportunity to complete the project. the concept is defined by three primary forms: a podium linking the building with neighboring structures; a cantilever containing a restaurant, café, spa, and bar – public amenities shared with the town; and a 381 meter-tall tower containing a sky bar, restaurant, and 107 guest rooms with sweeping panoramic views.

a podium links the building with its neighboring structures

with the completion of the hotel, the 7132 resort will feature buildings by three pritzker prize winners, including the internationally renowned therme vals spa designed by peter zumthor and the valser path by japanese architect tadao ando, which is slated for completion in 2017.

‘the transparent and slim ‘7132 tower’ designed by thom mayne of morphosis will create a completely new world of hospitality in vals,’ commented ando. ‘I believe it will harmonize in the beautiful landscape and will attract and impress various guests and visitors from all over the world.’

the site’s public amenities are shared with the town

commenting on the opportunity, thom mayne says: ‘specificity is really the central driver in our practice. each design starts from unique conditions in site, program, performance… the architectural solution generated is correspondingly unique to each project. for the 7132 hotel and arrival, the incredible setting demands reducing materiality and presence in the design so that, as in all our work, the connection to site becomes paramount. as much as possible, the hotel is a minimalist act that re-iterates the site and offers to the viewer a mirrored, refracted perspective of the landscape.’

107 guest rooms offer sweeping panoramic views

the resort’s ongoing development is born out of the collaboration between the complex’s long-time executive director pius truffer and 7132 ltd founder remo stoffel, both local residents who were born in vals. the group has owned and operated the therme vals since 2012, when 7132 purchased the resort from the municipality. the hotel is is scheduled for completion by 2019.

the lobby at ground floor level

the view from the penthouse

model detailing the scale of the project

project info:

location: vals, switzerland
client: 7132 ltd
size: 570,087 gross sqf / 53,000 gross sqm
height: 1,250 ft / 381 m
program: luxury high-rise hotel with 107 guest rooms and suites; amenities include grand arrival and reception, spas, restaurants, café, bar, sky bar and dining, ballroom, gallery, library, pool, fitness and business centers; support spaces include administrative, loading and delivery, technical, kitchen and laundry
competition design: 2014
project development: 2015
projected date of completion: 2019
type: hospitality

morphosis team
design director: thom mayne
project principal: arne emerson
project manager: arne emerson
project architect: robin williams
project designers: tom day and jason minor
project team: natalia traverso caruana, jessica chang, adeline morin
project assistants: natalie abbot, emma entress, chip hubert, eric meyer, nicole meyer, parham hakimi, ari sogin, henry svendsen, derrick whitmire, helena yun
visualization: jasmine park, sam tannenbaum

consultants
associate architect: giubbini architekten, chur.
structural: thornton tomasetti, los angeles
MEP: arup, los angeles
cost estimator: global assistance development (GAD), milan
code/life safety: arup, los angeles
vertical transportation: van deusen associates
fire protection: arup, los angeles
wind: rowan williams davies & irwin inc. (RWDI)