Haus Balma

Vals, a picturesque swiss village in the alps of the canton of the grisons, is known in the world of architecture and design for many reasons, not least its characteristic quartzite, a stone favoured by designers for its durability and distinctive grey to green and blue colour.

The Truffer family has been quarrying and processing this stone for more than forty years with the aim of developing new products and being open to constant innovation. The company’s entrepreneurial philosophy and passion for architecture is reflected in the design of its new headquarters: a four-storey building with basement and raised floors for different functions, designed by master of architecture Kengo Kuma.

Based on the geometry of the triangle, the building evokes a pagoda – a reminiscence of the architect’s homeland – but it was designed to integrate itself as much with the surrounding nature as with the architectural language of the village, showing the exceptional character of Vals quartzite in innovative details and applications. The stone itself becomes a connecting element between tradition and contemporaneity, a key that harmonises glass, wood and metal.

The uniqueness of haus balma was also recognised by the blt built design awards – an initiative that recognises the expertise of professionals involved in the realisation of outstanding projects, on a global basis – by awarding it the prestigious ‘architectural design of the year’ prize for its great aesthetic impact, which clearly demonstrates that the many challenges of today’s world have been taken into account.

The intention was to create a unified environment that would give the impression of being inside a quarry. For this reason, the intricate spaces built on a triangular base are structured and organised by a central linear void: the monumental staircase running diagonally and vertically along the entire length of the architectural volume connects all the levels of the building. The large skylight becomes a long gap of light that enhances the texture of the stone and is the main point of reference for the design of the artificial light.

The building thus becomes a metaphor for the activity and spirit of the Truffer family: the quarry is the core of work, enterprise and creativity.

The ground floor welcomes visitors with a large triangular counter, a reminder of the fundamental geometry on which the entire building is built on.

Following the same lines, there is a sequence of bacchetta magica, whose clean design makes itself recognisable without undermining the preciousness of the materials and the peculiarity of the architectural volumes. A further contribution to the diffused lighting is made by foro, a solution designed by another great master who has marked the Vals architectural landscape, Peter Zumthor. Along the natural split stone walls there are niches for displaying Vals quartzite artefacts illuminated by micromen spotlights, whose miniaturisation ensures on the one hand an unobtrusive lighting fixture, and on the other a precise, high-performance light dedicated to each object. While the first and second floors are dedicated to offices, the third floor features two private residences whose lighting design always follows the same principle: selecting light fittings whose finish and capacity for integration immerse themselves in the architecture, letting the materials – and in particular the stone – and textures talk. In the different rooms, the cuts in the stone create broken lines with kaleidoscopic effects enhanced by the use of bacchetta magica and arcoled, while m1 micro scomparsa totale and p1 provide diffuse lighting, becoming an integral part of the building. In the underground level there is a space designed as a showroom, but also used for meetings, events, concerts and exhibitions. Here, natural light arrives via a ‘drowned garden’ above which there is a skylight. Between the striking wooden beams, n55 binario provides punctual lighting that can easily be modified according to the needs and rearrangements of the space itself. The unifying element of all the floors is the staircase, tall and narrow, enclosed by stone walls and lit by the large skylight. From above, the defined beam of the n55 sagomatore marks the treads of the steps, accompanying people as they walk. Along the walls, in a narrow slit, are hidden the fi50 linear leds which – by allowing the temperature of the white light to vary – contribute to enhancing the surface of the stone, creating suggestive shades.