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Therme Vals

Facts

Research & Development project 3D capacity
Architect: Peter Zumthor
Location: Vals, Zwitserland
Completed: October 2009

The Therme Vals Virtual Scale Model application was awarded the first prize at the Quest3D Awards 2009 competition and nominated among the top 5 architectural real-time 3D productions world wide at the CG Architect 3D Awards 2010.

More information about Therme Vals can be found on Wikipedia or the Therme Vals website.

Screenshots

therme vals thumbnail1therme vals thumbnail2therme vals thumbnail3therme vals thumbnail4therme vals thumbnail5therme vals thumbnail6therme vals thumbnail7therme vals thumbnail8therme vals thumbnail9 Please click a thumbnail to open a larger version.

Stone

Therme Vals is a spa complex in Switserland, designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. The building, mainly constructed with slabs of 'Valser Quarzit', seems to have naturally grown out of the mountain landscape. The free positioning of massive bathing blocks with names like ice stone, fire stone, sound stone and grotto, allows a meandering space with spectacular lighting that begs to be explored.

Light

To maximize this experience, a HDR (High Dynamic Range) daylight system has been implemented in the Virtual Scale Model. While the sun passes over the building, a beautiful play of light and shadows comes into being. Uniquely, this also changes the indirect light in the scene, bathing the grey stones in the colorful tones of the sky and the environment.

Framework

The Therme Vals application is the first Virtual Scale Model to use the new Virtual Scale Model 2.0 framework. Apart from numerous new technical features, this framework offers a new user friendly interface and the possibility to use a Xbox 360™ or SpaceNavigator™ controller for navigating the Virtual Scale Model.