Zumthor | Water Between Stone Layers: Darkness and a Ray of Light in the Thermal Baths

The bath is buried within a volume constructed from layers of gneiss, with the stone laid in extremely thin horizontal layers, making the wall surface resemble a cut geological cross-section. The space is deliberately kept in low light, with most of the light coming from slender slits cut into the ceiling. The light falls on the water surface and reflects back onto the stone walls, becoming the only bright spot in the room. Different pools are scattered among the stone blocks, some only large enough for one or two people, reached by passing through a narrow passage. The water surface is almost ripple-free, with steam hovering about a hand's height above the water. Shoot at eye level indoors, with the stone stratification, water reflections, and ceiling light slits all visible simultaneously. Avoid: overall bright lighting, use of tiles and glossy materials, adding poolside loungers and parasols, intense waves on the water surface.

Translated from Chinese by AI.

浴池被埋在一座由層層片麻岩砌成的量體裡,石材以極薄的水平線一層層疊上去,牆面因此像是被切開的地質剖面。空間刻意維持在低光度,大部分的光來自天花被切開的細長縫隙,光落在水面上再反射回石牆,成為房間裡唯一的亮處。不同的池分散在石塊之間,有的只容得下一兩個人,要穿過一段窄的通道才會到。水面幾乎不起波,蒸氣停在水上約一個手掌的高度。室內平視拍攝,石材的層理、水面的反光與天花的光縫同時可見。避免:整體照明打亮、使用磁磚與亮面材料、加入池畔躺椅與遮陽傘、水面出現激烈波浪。