Peter Zumthor is a cult figure within the realm of architecture. His portfolio may be relatively small, but his influence is beyond imagination. He is renowned for his authentic approach to his design, his craftsmanship, and his innovative use of materials and light. The Therme Vals in Switzerland, one of his best-known projects, shows Peter Zumthor’s own high standards, with no apparent compromises. The objective of this study is to explore his design methodology to design emotional architecture and discover new emotional design vocabulary. As a methodology, Therme Vals’ emotional design method is to be investigated via literature review, field study, and the opinions of not only Peter Zumthor himself, but also of previous researchers. The Analysis result had shown that Peter Zumthor’s spatial approach is unique. Compared to the existing emotional architecture that allows rapid entry into the core attraction, it guides users into the space at a very secret and slow speed. Unlike most emotional architecture that arouses curiosity through strong colors or unusual finishing material, Peter Zumthor designed with the intrinsic characteristics of ordinary materials and human memories of them. Regarding spatial experience, Peter Zumthor maintained a more natural continuity of spatial experience, not the concept of continuity as a scenario with a beginning and an end. Artificial direction is never given, and the users maintain continuity according to the movement of individual emotions. Keywords: Peter Zumthor, Therme Vals, Emotional Architecture, Vernacular Material,
Peter Zumthor is a cult figure within the realm of architecture. His portfolio may be relatively small, but his influence is beyond imagination. He is renowned for his authentic approach to his design, his craftsmanship, and his innovative use of materials and light. The Therme Vals in Switzerland, one of his best-known projects, shows Peter Zumthor’s own high standards, with no apparent compromises. The objective of this study is to explore his design methodology to design emotional architecture and discover new emotional design vocabulary. As a methodology, Therme Vals’ emotional design method is to be investigated via literature review, field study, and the opinions of not only Peter Zumthor himself, but also of previous researchers. The Analysis result had shown that Peter Zumthor’s spatial approach is unique. Compared to the existing emotional architecture that allows rapid entry into the core attraction, it guides users into the space at a very secret and slow speed. Unlike most emotional architecture that arouses curiosity through strong colors or unusual finishing material, Peter Zumthor designed with the intrinsic characteristics of ordinary materials and human memories of them. Regarding spatial experience, Peter Zumthor maintained a more natural continuity of spatial experience, not the concept of continuity as a scenario with a beginning and an end. Artificial direction is never given, and the users maintain continuity according to the movement of individual emotions. Keywords: Peter Zumthor, Therme Vals, Emotional Architecture, Vernacular Material,