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.
More information about Therme Vals can be found on Wikipedia or the Therme Vals website.
Screenshots
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.
Practical Experience
The winner of this year is an excellent architectural presentation. The pools in the building are beautifully rendered using specialized shaders for refraction, ripple effects and reflection. Custom shaders are also used for sky color, synthetic clouds and grass and tree rendering in the surroundings.
Remko Jacobs
CTO
Act3D / Quest3D
Moebius House
3D capacity raises the bar of virtual realism with an interactive demonstration of the Moebius House designed by UNStudio.
