How to build a holiday home in Switzerland without falling into clichés of the traditional chalet? What to do if the location happens to be within sight of visitors to the architectural highlight Therme Vals by world-renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor? The recently opened Villa Vals answers by hiding in modesty. The only thing that can be seen is a hole in the hill that functions as a patio for the four-bedroom holiday home hidden underground. In the mountains, building a high-rise makes no sense, since you already have a good view, explains architect Marijn Mees of Amsterdam-based SeARCH who built the house in cooperation with Christian Müller Architects.