Peter Zumthor: A Comprehensive Review of His Buildings and Projects from 1985 to 2013
Peter Zumthor 1986 2012: Buildings and Projects Thomas Durisch
Introduction
Peter Zumthor is one of the most influential and revered contemporary architects in the world. He has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 2009, for his distinctive and rigorous architectural concepts, designs and creations. He is known for his sensitivity to location and context, his conscious and careful use of materials, and his ability to create pure and atmospheric spaces that resonate with the human spirit.
Peter Zumthor 1986 2012: Buildings and Projects Thomas Durisch
However, Zumthor's work is not widely known or accessible to the general public. He has produced a relatively small number of realized buildings, mostly in Switzerland, Austria and Germany, and he has kept his studio small and selective. He has also been reluctant to publish or exhibit his work, preferring to let it speak for itself.
That is why the book Peter Zumthor: Buildings and Projects 1985-2013, edited by Thomas Durisch, is a rare and valuable opportunity to explore Zumthor's entire body of work in depth and detail. The book is a comprehensive monograph that presents around 40 of his buildings and projects, both realized and unrealized, through Zumthor's own writings, photographs, sketches, drawings and plans. The book also includes a complete list of works from 1975 to 2013, as well as essays by Zumthor on his philosophy and approach.
The book is divided into five volumes, each covering a different period of Zumthor's career. The first volume covers the years 1985-1989, when Zumthor established his reputation with projects such as the Shelter for Roman Archaeological Ruins in Chur, Switzerland; the Caplutta Sogn Benedetg (St. Benedict's Chapel) in Sumvitg, Switzerland; and the Bregenz Art Museum in Austria. The second volume covers the years 1990-1997, when Zumthor completed some of his most iconic buildings, such as the Therme Vals (Vals Thermal Baths) in Switzerland; the Topography of Terror in Berlin, Germany; and the Kolumba Art Museum in Cologne, Germany. The third volume covers the years 1998-2001, when Zumthor experimented with new forms and materials, such as the Gugalun House in Versam, Switzerland; the Pingus Winery in Valbuena de Duero, Spain; and the I Ching Gallery for the Dia Center for the Arts in Beacon, New York. The fourth volume covers the years 2002-2007, when Zumthor expanded his scope and scale, such as the Field Chapel for Brother Klaus near Mechernich, Germany; the Steilneset Memorial for the Victims of the Witch Trials in Vardø, Norway; and the Kivik Art Centre in Österlen, Sweden. The fifth volume covers the years 2008-2013, when Zumthor continued to refine his style and vision, such as the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London, England; the Bruder Klaus Field Chapel in Wachendorf, Germany; and the LACMA Transformation Project in Los Angeles, USA.
The book is not only a showcase of Zumthor's work, but also a source of inspiration and insight into his architectural thought. It reveals how Zumthor conceives, develops and executes his projects, as well as how he reflects on them. It also demonstrates how Zumthor's work is influenced by his personal and professional experiences, his cultural and historical background, and his artistic and ethical values.
The book is a must-have for anyone interested in architecture, design, art and culture. It is a testament to Zumthor's mastery and originality, as well as to his contribution to the field of architecture and the world at large.
Main body
Zumthor's philosophy and approach
One of the reasons why Zumthor's work is so admired and respected is because of his philosophy and approach to architecture. Zumthor has a clear and strong vision of what architecture should be and do, and he follows it with conviction and consistency. He also has a deep and broad knowledge of architecture, history, art, literature, philosophy and other disciplines that inform his work. He is not interested in trends or fashions, but in timeless and universal qualities that make architecture meaningful and beautiful.
Clarity of vision and sense of place
Zumthor believes that architecture should be clear and simple, but not simplistic or reductive. He strives to create buildings that are coherent and harmonious, but not monotonous or predictable. He avoids unnecessary or arbitrary elements, but he does not sacrifice richness or complexity. He seeks to create buildings that are expressive and communicative, but not loud or pretentious. He aims to create buildings that are honest and authentic, but not naive or dogmatic.
Zumthor also believes that architecture should be sensitive and responsive to its location and context. He pays attention to the physical and cultural characteristics of the site, such as the landscape, the climate, the history, the traditions, the people and the activities. He tries to understand the essence and spirit of the place, and to enhance it with his architecture. He does not impose his own style or agenda on the place, but he respects and adapts to it. He does not copy or mimic the existing forms or styles, but he interprets and transforms them. He seeks to create buildings that are rooted in their place, but not bound by it.
Careful use of materials and atmosphere
Zumthor believes that architecture should be careful and deliberate in its use of materials. He chooses materials that are appropriate and suitable for the function, structure, form and expression of the building. He also chooses materials that are natural and durable, such as wood, stone, concrete, metal and glass. He does not use materials that are artificial or ephemeral, such as plastic or synthetic fabrics. He treats materials with respect and care, using them in their pure and raw state, without excessive processing or manipulation. He reveals the inherent qualities and properties of the materials, such as their texture, color, weight, sound and smell.
Zumthor also believes that architecture should create a specific atmosphere that affects the mood and perception of the users. He considers how the building relates to light, shadow, sound, temperature, humidity and air quality. He also considers how the building evokes emotions, memories, associations and sensations. He tries to create buildings that are comfortable and inviting, but not cozy or cozying. He tries to create buildings that are inspiring and stimulating, but not overwhelming or distracting. He tries to create buildings that are serene and contemplative, but not dull or boring.
Poetic and philosophical reflections
Zumthor believes that architecture should be poetic and philosophical in its expression and meaning. He does not see architecture as a mere technical or functional problem-solving activity, but as a creative and intellectual endeavor that explores fundamental questions about human existence and experience. He does not see architecture as a mere representation or illustration of ideas or concepts, but as a manifestation and embodiment of values and beliefs.
Zumthor uses metaphors I'll continue to write the article. and analogies to convey his ideas and concepts, such as the "sound box", the "shadow gap", the "body of architecture", the "house within a house", and the "haptic space". He also draws inspiration from various sources of literature, art, music and philosophy, such as Marcel Proust, Paul Klee, John Cage and Martin Heidegger. He tries to create buildings that are not only functional and aesthetic, but also poetic and philosophical.
Zumthor's works and projects
The book Peter Zumthor: Buildings and Projects 1985-2013 offers a comprehensive overview of Zumthor's works and projects, both realized and unrealized. The book presents each project with a brief introduction by Zumthor, followed by photographs, sketches, drawings and plans that illustrate the design process and the final outcome. The book also includes essays by Zumthor on his design principles and methods, as well as his reflections on specific aspects of his work, such as materials, light, color, sound and atmosphere.
Highlights of his realized buildings
Zumthor's realized buildings are widely recognized and acclaimed for their architectural excellence and innovation. Some of his most famous buildings are: - The Therme Vals (1996), a thermal spa complex built over natural hot springs in a remote valley in Switzerland. The building consists of a series of stone volumes that blend with the mountainous landscape, creating a contrast between the solid exterior and the fluid interior. The building also creates a variety of spatial experiences, from dark and intimate to bright and expansive, using natural light, water, sound and materials. - The Kolumba Art Museum (2007), a museum built on the ruins of a Gothic church destroyed during World War II in Cologne, Germany. The building preserves and integrates the historical fragments of the site, while adding a new layer of contemporary architecture. The building also creates a dialogue between the old and the new, the sacred and the secular, the art and the architecture. - The Steilneset Memorial (2011), a memorial for the victims of the witch trials in Vardø, Norway. The memorial consists of two structures: a long wooden corridor that contains 91 windows with texts and lights commemorating each victim; and a steel-and-glass cube that contains an eternal flame surrounded by 12 mirrors. The memorial also creates a dramatic contrast between the dark and cold landscape and the warm and bright structures.
Insights into his unrealized projects
Zumthor's unrealized projects are equally fascinating and revealing of his architectural vision and ambition. Some of his most interesting projects are: - The Topography of Terror (1997), a museum and documentation center for the Nazi regime built on the former Gestapo headquarters in Berlin, Germany. The project consisted of a massive concrete slab that covered the site, leaving only a few openings for light and air. The project also created a powerful statement about the history and memory of the place, as well as a challenge to the conventional museum typology. - The I Ching Gallery (2001), a gallery for the Dia Center for the Arts built on an industrial site in Beacon, New York. The project consisted of a series of concrete cubes that contained different artworks based on the hexagrams of the I Ching, an ancient Chinese book of divination. The project also created a dynamic relationship between the artworks, the architecture and the visitors, who could randomly choose which cubes to enter. - The LACMA Transformation Project (2013), a master plan for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art that proposed to replace the existing buildings with a single organic structure that spanned over Wilshire Boulevard. The project consisted of a fluid form that adapted to the site conditions and program requirements, creating a continuous indoor-outdoor space for art exhibition and public interaction.
Analysis of his sketches, drawings and plans
Zumthor's sketches, drawings and plans are essential tools for his design process and communication. They show how he develops his ideas from initial concepts to final details, how he explores different options and alternatives, how he resolves technical and functional issues, how he expresses his intentions and emotions, how he communicates with his collaborators and clients. They also show how he uses different media I'll continue to write the article. and techniques, such as pencil, ink, watercolor, collage, model, computer and photography, to convey different aspects and qualities of his work. They also show how he experiments with different scales and perspectives, from the urban to the human, from the bird's eye to the worm's eye. They also show how he evolves and refines his work over time, sometimes revisiting and revising projects after years or decades.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Peter Zumthor: Buildings and Projects 1985-2013 is a remarkable book that presents the work of one of the most important and original architects of our time. The book is not only a comprehensive documentation of Zumthor's work, but also a rich source of inspiration and insight into his philosophy and approach. The book reveals how Zumthor creates architecture that is clear and simple, sensitive and responsive, careful and deliberate, poetic and philosophical. The book also demonstrates how Zumthor's architecture is influenced by his personal and professional experiences, his cultural and historical background, and his artistic and ethical values.
The book is a must-have for anyone interested in architecture, design, art and culture. It is a testament to Zumthor's mastery and originality, as well as to his contribution to the field of architecture and the world at large.
FAQs
Q: Where can I buy the book Peter Zumthor: Buildings and Projects 1985-2013?
A: The book is available online from various retailers, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository and others. You can also find it in some bookstores and libraries.
Q: How much does the book cost?
A: The book costs around $300 USD for the English edition and around $250 USD for the German edition. The price may vary depending on the retailer and the shipping costs.
Q: How many pages does the book have?
A: The book has 850 pages in total, divided into five volumes. Each volume has a different number of pages, ranging from 149 to 189.
Q: Who is Thomas Durisch?
A: Thomas Durisch is an architect who worked at Peter Zumthor's studio from 1990 to 1994, and has owned his own firm in Zurich since 1995. He was the curator of the exhibition Peter Zumthor: Bauten und Projekte 1986-2007 at Kunsthaus Bregenz in 2007. He is also the editor of the book Peter Zumthor: Buildings and Projects 1985-2013.
Q: What are some other books by or about Peter Zumthor?
A: Some other books by or about Peter Zumthor are: - Thinking Architecture (1998), a collection of essays by Zumthor on his architectural philosophy. - Atmospheres (2006), a lecture by Zumthor on his concept of atmosphere in architecture. - The Pritzker Architecture Prize 2009: Peter Zumthor (2009), a monograph on Zumthor's work published by the Pritzker Foundation. - Peter Zumthor Works: Buildings and Projects 1979-1997 (2010), a previous monograph on Zumthor's work edited by Benedikt Loderer. - Peter Zumthor Therme Vals (2011), a detailed study of Zumthor's thermal spa project by Sigrid Hauser. 71b2f0854b