ILLA VALS
LOCATION: Vals, Graubünden, Switzerland
ARCHITECTURE: SeARCH / Christian Müller Architects
YEAR: 2009
STYLE: Experimental Landscape Architecture / Underground Architecture
Hidden within a steep alpine hillside in the Swiss village of Vals, Villa Vals is an extraordinary example of contemporary architecture conceived in direct response to its natural surroundings. Designed by SeARCH and Christian Müller Architects, the house challenges conventional ideas of residential architecture by placing almost its entire structure beneath the surface of the mountain.
Rather than constructing a visible building within the landscape, the architects chose to integrate the residence into the hillside. The result is a discreet architectural intervention that preserves the visual continuity of the surrounding alpine terrain while creating an unexpected spatial experience within.
The most distinctive element of Villa Vals is its large circular opening, carved into the slope to form a sheltered courtyard. This dramatic architectural gesture provides natural light and expansive views of the valley while revealing the otherwise concealed presence of the house.
The circular courtyard acts as both an entrance to the visual identity of the project and an essential source of daylight. Its curved retaining wall creates a striking contrast with the natural irregularity of the mountain, establishing a clear distinction between the precision of contemporary architecture and the organic character of the landscape.
Inside, the house unfolds across several levels, with living spaces arranged to maximise the relationship between interior architecture and the surrounding scenery. Large glazed openings face the courtyard, allowing daylight to penetrate the rooms and framing uninterrupted views of the alpine valley.
The interiors combine contemporary simplicity with a restrained palette of materials. Timber surfaces, carefully considered furnishings and understated detailing create a warm domestic atmosphere that contrasts with the monumental character of the excavated exterior.
Access to the house is provided through an underground passage connected to a traditional building nearby. This unusual entrance sequence reinforces the project’s architectural concept, allowing visitors to move through the mountain before emerging into the unexpected openness of the courtyard.
The decision to conceal most of the building within the hillside is central to its architectural identity. By reducing its visible presence, Villa Vals demonstrates an alternative approach to building in sensitive landscapes, where architecture is conceived as an intervention within the terrain rather than an object placed upon it.
Originally designed as a private residence and subsequently made available for short stays, Villa Vals offers an intimate opportunity to experience experimental contemporary architecture. Its unusual spatial organisation and close relationship with the alpine environment make it a distinctive example of architecture-led accommodation.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Villa Vals represents a radical approach to landscape-integrated architecture, in which SeARCH and Christian Müller Architects conceal a contemporary residence within an alpine hillside. Its monumental circular courtyard, underground access and carefully framed mountain views demonstrate how architecture can transform the experience of a landscape while maintaining a remarkably discreet physical presence.
