Morphosis Architects and 7132 Ltd recently announced their collaboration on a new luxury hotel in Vals, Switzerland. The design for the hotel is driven by the desire to create a new alpine landscape experience.
The unveiling of the design follows an international competition launched by 7132 Ltd last June, when eight architectural practices contended for the opportunity to design the hotel. Morphosis was selected by the client for their proposal that uses a minimalist approach to help the hotel blend with the mountain landscape at the existing resort campus.
The new hotel will be defined by three 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 tower holding a sky bar, restaurant, and 107 guestrooms with panoramic views.
With the completion of the hotel, the 7132 resort will feature buildings by three Pritzker Prize winning architects, including the Therme Vals spa designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, and the Valser Path by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, which is slated for completion in 2017.
The transparent and slim 7132 Tower was designed by Thom Mayne of Morphosis.
The new development represents the first project in Switzerland for Morphosis Architects. The architectural firm was founded in 1972 by design director Thom Mayne and is based out of Los Angeles and New York.