Peter Zumthor Thermal Baths

Image 1 - Thermal Baths

The Thermal Baths are located in Vals in Switzerland and are a grand spa complex built into the side of the Swiss Mountains over the only thermal springs in the area. Zumthor created this complex to appear as part of its surroundings, like it has always been there as a large rock face embedded into the hill, using grass on the roof to help it blend in. The spa is made from concrete and quartzite from the area. The way in which zumthor uses light in parts of the complex is very unique. There are large glass windows which allows light to flood into the public areas, which lead the visitor onto the pools. The pools are considerably darker, but open slits in the ceiling allow light to come down from above and light up the water creating a magical feeling.  

Image 1 - Thermal Baths - commons.wikimedia.org
Image 2 - The pools - www.stylepark.com

Image 2 - The pools

Yellow Treehouse

Image 2 - Yellow Tree House

Image 1

This is a very extraordinary tree house, that is actually a tree top restaurant. It can be discovered in a forest in New Zealand and was designed by Pacific Environments Architects. The tree house is 10m above the ground and can be accessed by a 60m walkway which meanders throught the tree canopies to give the visitors a real feel for where they are, before sitting down (in the air) to enjoy their meal. As the visitors travel through the trees it also gives them a chance to revisit their own childhood which was the concept for this design. Eventhough it is a restaurant the tree house is not very big and can only accommodate eighteen guests. the interior of the restaurant is very open, it has been made from timber beams which have been placed slightly apart so that the diners get great views across the valley. The "pod" as it is known is supposed to look natural, as if it could be part of the tree, but having a width of 12m, this is rather difficult to achieve. Even so the tree house is beautiful and it really does take you back to your childhood, not that many kids tree houses looked anything like that.

Image 1 - www.pacificenvironments.co.nz
Image 2 - Yellow Tree House - www.e-architect.co.uk