Vals, Switzerland

7132 House of Architects

Accommodation Type

Boutique Hotel

Number of Rooms

73 architect designed rooms across four distinct concepts

Location

Vals, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland

Setting

A quiet alpine village embedded in a narrow mountain valley, defined by stone, water, and silence

Who It Is Best For

Architecture and design lovers, wellness seekers, slow travelers, couples, intellectually curious solo travelers

Travel Mood

The Nurturer, The Dreamer

Main Activities

Thermal bathing, architectural exploration, alpine walks, quiet village wandering, reflective stays

Signature Feature

Four radically different room concepts by Peter Zumthor, Kengo Kuma, Tadao Ando, and Thom Mayne, all with direct access to the world renowned 7132 Thermal Baths

7132 House of Architects

An architect designed hotel in Vals

Set beside the iconic thermal baths in the alpine village of Vals, the 7132 House of Architects offers a rare way of staying with architecture rather than simply observing it. Conceived as part of the 7132 vision, the House invites guests to inhabit radically different architectural ideas, where space, material, and proportion become the essence of the experience.

Overview

The 7132 House of Architects is built around a singular proposition: each guest room is conceived as an independent architectural work. Four internationally renowned architects, Peter Zumthor, Kengo Kuma, Tadao Ando, and Thom Mayne, were invited to design rooms according to their own architectural philosophy. Rather than creating variations on a shared theme, each architect developed a distinct spatial language, allowing guests to choose how they want to experience architecture during their stay.

The offering is intentionally varied. Peter Zumthor’s rooms focus on atmosphere and tactility, using stucco lustro finishes and carefully controlled light to create deeply sensorial spaces. Kengo Kuma’s rooms are shaped as warm oakwood interiors, conceived as protective cocoons with open, floor level showers set on local granite. In Tadao Ando’s rooms, restraint and clarity dominate, drawing inspiration from Japanese tea houses and directing attention toward the alpine landscape beyond the windows.

Thom Mayne’s rooms introduce a more dynamic spatial experience, using wood and dark stone to explore contrast, volume, and movement. Freestanding shower elements become sculptural components within the room, encouraging guests to move through the space with heightened awareness. Across all four concepts, architecture is not decorative. It is physical, experiential, and meant to be felt through the body.

Guests of the House of Architects enjoy direct access to Peter Zumthor’s 7132 Thermal Baths via a glassed in passageway, allowing the experience of architecture to continue beyond the room. Bathing becomes part of the architectural narrative, extending the dialogue between stone, water, and silence. The House of Architects is not designed for comfort alone, but for presence, offering a stay that rewards curiosity, attention, and time.

Photography by Julien L. Balmer, courtesy of 7132 Hotels.

"In total, four internationally renowned architects created spaces around the property: Peter Zumthor, Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma and Thom Mayne. From the entrance to the restaurants, guest rooms and our architecture gallery - architecture takes you through your stay at 7132 like a journey."

— Katrin Rüfenacht, General Manager

Tips & Recommendations

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Nearest Airport

Zurich Airport is the most convenient international gateway. From Zurich, the journey to Vals takes approximately three hours and becomes increasingly remote and scenic as you enter the Valsertal.

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Getting There

Vals can be reached by car via Chur, Flims, and Ilanz, with the final stretch winding into the mountains. By rail, travel is via Chur to Ilanz, followed by a direct postal bus to “Vals, Therme.” 7132 Hotels also offers private limousine transfers and helicopter flights within Switzerland for guests seeking a seamless arrival.

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Best Time to Visit

Late autumn and winter are particularly powerful, when snow and cold air heighten the sensory contrast of the thermal baths. Spring and early summer bring quieter trails and soft alpine light. For the most contemplative experience, plan visits to the baths early in the morning or late in the evening.

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What to Bring

Swimwear for the baths is essential. Pack comfortable layers for changing mountain weather and walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain. Interiors are refined but informal, and understated clothing feels most in harmony with the setting.

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Choosing Your Architect

Each room concept offers a distinct experience. Guests drawn to atmosphere and material depth may prefer Peter Zumthor’s rooms, while those seeking warmth and tactility gravitate toward Kengo Kuma. Tadao Ando’s rooms appeal to lovers of clarity and calm, while Thom Mayne’s spaces suit guests curious about spatial tension and contrast.

Nearby Attractions

Vals Ski Area

Location - 4.5km

A small, uncrowded ski area above the village, offering quiet slopes, alpine scenery, and a relaxed alternative to large resort skiing.

Nature

Zervreila Dam & Lake

7132 Vals, Switzerland - 9.6km

A dramatic alpine reservoir surrounded by mountains and hiking trails, located above Vals and known for its scenic landscapes.

Nature

Tomülpass

7109 Safiental, Switzerland - 4.9km

A historic high-alpine pass above Vals, Tomülpass is a demanding but rewarding hike that crosses remote mountain terrain, offering expansive views, silence, and a deep sense of Alpine wilderness.

Nature