A building that appears almost unreal stands high in the Swiss Alps, where snow covers the valleys like silk and silence hums like a heartbeat. Built entirely of glass, the 7132 Tower in Vals is more than just a piece of architecture; it’s an experience that blurs the lines between the human and the horizon. It reflects the mountains rather than overshadows them. The building, which was created by Morphosis Architects’ Thom Mayne, feels like a fragment of air that forgot to vanish.
The tower, which rises 381 meters above the ground, exudes a humble yet powerful presence. Even at its height, it hardly disturbs the scenery. Every passing cloud and slant of sunlight is reflected by the glass façade, which causes the building to appear and disappear throughout the day. It is a sort of architectural meditation rather than just a hotel. When visitors enter, they are surrounded by light, and their reflections blend with the Alps outside, giving the impression that they are suspended between the sky and the ground.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | 7132 Tower, part of the 7132 Resort in Vals, Switzerland |
| Architect | Thom Mayne, Morphosis Architects (Pritzker Prize Winner) |
| Location | Vals, Switzerland, in the Grisons Mountains |
| Structure | Built entirely with glass and mirrored surfaces |
| Height | 381 meters (approximately 1,250 feet) |
| Rooms | 107 luxurious suites with panoramic alpine views |
| Notable Features | Sky bar, spa by Peter Zumthor, helicopter transfer service |
| Developers | Remo Stoffel (Founder, 7132 Ltd.) and Pius Truffer (Executive Director) |
| Architectural Concept | Transparency, reflection, and environmental harmony |
| Reference | designboom.com |
Mayne’s design philosophy is remarkably straightforward: let the surroundings do the talking rather than the building. The project has frequently been characterized by him as “a minimalist act that reiterates the site.” Essentially, the glass acts as a lens rather than a wall, reflecting the natural rhythm inward. Time feels elastic in the resulting space. While the evening transforms the entire building into a prism of soft pink and gold, the morning sun streams through the translucent corridors.
Peter Zumthor’s renowned Therme Vals, an architectural icon renowned for its thermal baths carved from local quartzite, is already located within the larger 7132 Resort, which includes the hotel. Mayne’s optical accuracy and Zumthor’s tactile earthiness work together to produce a unique conversation between two opposing geniuses. It’s a dialogue between substance and reflection, stone and sky.
The founder of 7132 Ltd., Remo Stoffel, envisioned a project that would transform Vals from a mountain village into a destination for design enthusiasts. They teamed up with Vals native and resort director Pius Truffer to create a building that complemented rather than overshadowed its surroundings. Their choice to use glass was philosophical in nature as well as aesthetically pleasing. Transparency evolved into a metaphor for emotional and physical connection.
It’s a very immersive experience inside. The hotel’s 107 rooms are more like living views than enclosed areas. Each wall blends into the surrounding landscape. Sleeping inside the landscape instead of next to it is a sensation that guests frequently characterize as dreamlike. At night, it seems as if the sky itself has fallen to rest on the glass because the alpine stars are so close together.
The property was dubbed “the hotel that lets you sleep inside a reflection” by Forbes, and that sums up its charms perfectly. Every moment becomes a sort of cinematic still thanks to the mirrored surfaces, which infinitely multiply perspectives. Even moving through the hallways seems surreal because of the way the light and weather cause reflections to ripple across the glass like flowing water, creating a constantly shifting piece of art.
The opulent facilities are just as captivating. Visitors can arrive at the hotel’s rooftop landing pad from anywhere in Switzerland with the help of a private helicopter service. While the spa below, which is fueled by Vals’ natural thermal waters, rejuvenates the body and mind, the sky bar provides expansive views that seem endless. Modern alpine cuisine and Michelin-starred tasting menus presented with theatrical precision are among the dining options. Everything feels incredibly planned, from the linen’s texture to the rooms’ aroma—a choreography of coziness and clarity.
A growing trend in modern hospitality is reflected in the architectural dialogue between transparency and invisibility. Today’s tourists look for experiences that are environmentally conscious, visually stunning, and emotionally authentic. That change is beautifully captured by the 7132 Tower. The structure’s use of cutting-edge glass technology preserves energy efficiency, reduces visual intrusion, and reflects natural light in a way that has a substantial positive environmental impact. It is a rare combination of form and function that is both exquisite and incredibly effective.
This haven has drawn the attention of celebrities and innovative thinkers. Leonardo DiCaprio, who has long supported sustainable design, is credited with being one of the first to ask about a stay. Others, such as foreign artists and collectors, view it as an inhabited art installation rather than just a hotel. There, luxury is defined by simplicity rather than excess, and staying there is like taking part in a perception experiment.
His method, according to architect Thom Mayne, is one of reduction. He emphasized how specificity spurs innovation by stating that “each design begins with the site.” Because of its mirrored exterior, the tower is contextually invisible, restoring the dominance of nature. This idea is consistent with other contemporary masterpieces, such as Tadao Ando’s meditative areas and Olafur Eliasson’s light installations, where architecture enhances rather than rivals the natural world.
The tower appears weightless even when viewed from a distance. At dawn, it shimmers with silver and amber hues; at sunset, it completely disappears into darkness. Visitors who stand at its base frequently see their image strewn throughout the valleys, reflected infinitely, serving as a reminder of how tiny yet exquisitely interconnected we are in the vastness of nature. It has a strikingly humble effect.
It is impossible to ignore the impact such design has on society. Mayne has made a statement about the future of architecture by designing an invisible structure, where greatness is no longer determined by visibility. Rather, success is defined by balance, self-control, and environmental awareness. In a time when glass giants designed to dominate urban skylines abound, this strategy is especially novel. In contrast, the 7132 Tower encourages humility by letting nature take the lead.
A wider cultural change is also reflected in this architectural philosophy. Contemporary tourists, particularly those in their younger years, place a higher value on sustainability and sensory engagement than on conventional luxury. Similar ideas have been used by glass hotels in Finland, Iceland, and Norway to create transparent spaces that fully immerse visitors in their surroundings. However, none have come close to the Swiss glass tower’s poetic aspirations, which successfully combine identity and invisibility.
The tower completely disappears as night falls over Vals, revealing only its luminous interior, which resembles a lantern floating over the mountains. Inside, with an endless sky as a backdrop, guests toast champagne. It is serene, introspective, and remarkably human. The experience is more akin to being briefly engrossed in the design of nature than it is to staying in a hotel.
