7132 HOUSE OF ARCHITECTS
LOCATION: Vals, Graubünden, Switzerland
ROOM DESIGN: Peter Zumthor, Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma, Thom Mayne
STYLE: Contemporary Architectural Interiors / Experimental Hospitality Design
Located in the alpine village of Vals, 7132 House of Architects presents an unusual approach to contemporary hospitality, bringing together the work of four internationally recognised architects within a single hotel. Part of the wider 7132 complex, the project explores how individual architectural philosophies can transform the experience of an interior space.
The hotel’s defining characteristic is its collection of rooms designed by Peter Zumthor, Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma and Thom Mayne. Rather than establishing a uniform interior identity, the project allows each architect to express a distinct understanding of proportion, materiality and spatial atmosphere.
Peter Zumthor’s rooms reflect the architect’s sensitivity to materials and the emotional qualities of space. Their restrained composition and carefully considered surfaces establish a quiet relationship with the surrounding alpine environment, echoing the atmospheric approach that defines his nearby Therme Vals.
Tadao Ando introduces a different architectural language, characterised by geometric clarity, controlled light and an emphasis on spatial simplicity. His interiors reflect the disciplined approach to composition that has become central to his architectural practice.
Kengo Kuma’s contribution explores the tactile and expressive potential of natural materials. His approach emphasises texture, warmth and the relationship between individual elements, creating an intimate atmosphere informed by his broader architectural philosophy.
Thom Mayne offers a more experimental interpretation of the hotel room. His design language introduces a dynamic relationship between surfaces, geometry and spatial organisation, contrasting with the quieter material expressions of the other architects.
Together, these different approaches transform the hotel into a collection of architectural experiences. The guest room becomes more than a functional space for accommodation; it becomes an opportunity to encounter a particular architect’s ideas at a personal scale.
The hotel’s location in Vals adds another dimension to the experience. Surrounded by the dramatic landscape of Graubünden and connected to the celebrated thermal baths, House of Architects forms part of a wider destination in which architecture plays a central role in the identity of the place.
Unlike hotels defined by a single visual language, 7132 House of Architects celebrates architectural diversity. Its significance lies in the contrast between individual design philosophies and in the possibility of experiencing contemporary architecture through the intimacy of everyday inhabitation.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
7132 House of Architects offers a distinctive model of architectural hospitality, bringing together interior concepts by Peter Zumthor, Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma and Thom Mayne. By allowing four different design philosophies to coexist within one hotel, the project transforms the guest room into an intimate expression of contemporary architectural thought.
