PETER ZUMPTHOR THE ARCHITECT THAT WE MOST ADMIRE BY CAT RAWCLIFFE, HAYLEY STAFFORD-JONES, MATT WARDLE, HARRISON SYMONDS http://nummynims.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/therme-vals-1.jpg

CONTENTS WHY WE CHOSE PETER ZUMTHOR BACKGROUND THEORIES WORKS LEGACY CONCLUSION

WHY WE CHOSE ZUMPTHOR? -Zumphor’s theories and buildings have had a direct impact on our lives as future architects - teachings are incorporated into our course highlighting the importance of making spaces evoke an atmospheres or emotion -minimalist yet contemporary and thought provoking design, with an emphasis on experience/feel of interiors and high attention to detail. http://sleeperinmetropolis.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/1180_27202817640.jpg

BACKGROUND INFORMATION http://christyday.blogbus.com/logs/37894996.html -Born on 26th April 1943, Switzerland -Trained as a cabinet maker 1958-1962 -Studied design at Kunstgewerbeschule, Basel 1963-1966 -Further studied interior design at Pratt Institute, New York 1966-1967 -Returned to Switzerland 1967, where he worked as a building and planning consultant -In 1979 opened his own practice in Haldenstein, Switzerland -Since 1996 has been a professor at University Della Svizzera Italiana -Taught at a number of schools, including Harvard, SCI-Arc, Technical University of Munich -Also received more than a dozen awards

THEORIES AND IDEAS The Body of Architecture Architecture as a sort of anatomy. Material Compatibility The reaction of materials and their surroundings. Between Composure and Seduction Architecture is not only a spatial art but a temporal one. http://www.landliving.com/image/zumthor_4.jpg

The Light on Things Manipulating daylight and artificial light. Architecture as surroundings A building being part of the landscape. The Beautiful Form “If the form doesn't move me, then I’ll go back to the beginning and start again” http://static1.abduzeedo.com/files/posts/best_week/peter02.jpg

-A hotel/spa complex built upon thermal springs and opened in 1996. -Designed primarily for its sensory impact, more than its form/functionality. -“The idea was to create a form of cave or quarry like structure. Working with the natural surroundings the bath rooms lay below a grass roof structure half buried into the hillside.” THE THERME VALS, GRAUBUNDEN CANTON, SWITZERLAND http://www.archdaily.com/13358/the-therme-vals/

-The structure was built by layering Valser Quarzite slabs to form the walls, which is a locally sourced material, giving the baths an overriding vernacular sense. -This was typical of Zumthor’s work – strong materiality, finely crafted, primacy of (architectural) experience. http://www.archdaily.com/13358/the-therme-vals/

-“The visitor moves through a world of stone and water that is broken by nothing more than brass banisters and glass doors or windows.” “The combinations of light and shade, open and enclosed spaces and linear elements make for a highly sensuous and restorative experience.” (http://emagazine.credit-suisse.com/app/article/index.cfm?aoid=148860&lang=EN). http://www.archdaily.com/13358/the-therme-vals/

“Mountain, stone, water – building in the stone, building with the stone, into the mountain, building out of the mountain, being inside the mountain – how can the implications and the sensuality of the association of these words be interpreted, architecturally?” Peter Zumthor http://eltornilloquetefalta.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/zumthor3.jpg

ST. BENEDICT CHAPEL, SUMVIGT, SWITZERLAND, 1988 -Previous chapel was destroyed by avalanche -The village authorities wanted the new chapel to be ’senza perschuasiun’ (without conviction). Yet the church wanted to build something new and contemporary -The chapel is minimalist and in harmony with it’s surroundings http://christyday.blogbus.com/logs/37894996.html

-Clad in rusted metal shingles with wood interior the building is constructed from natural materials -The minimalist design of clear forms, strong repetition and the comprehensive structure the chapel settles into it’s alpine environment http://christyday.blogbus.com/logs/37894996.html http://christyday.blogbus.com/logs/37894996.html

-Attention to detail is a key component of Zumthor’s works -Minimalist wooden forms provide a warm environment -Un-broken windows line provide a break between walls and ceiling -The light filters down from the windows illuminating the chapel “Every building is built for a specific use in a specific place and for a specific society. My building try to answer the questions that emerge from these simple fact as precisely and critically as they can.” Thinking Architecture, Peter Zumpthor http://www.landliving.com/articles/0000001337.aspx

http:/www.danda.be/gallery/bruder_klaus_chapel/11/   BRUDER KLAU CHAPEL -Built in 2007 to honor the patron saint of Switzerland known as Bruder Klaus -Simple tear drop shape containing Bruder Klaus statue along with a single bench and candles -120 trees meticulously arranged to create the tear drop shape -Concrete built up around it in 50cm layers made up of local sand and gravel

http://cubeme.com/blog/2008/02/14/peter-zumthor%E2%80%99s-bruder-klaus-chapel-in-mechernich-germany/ -The concrete was piled and pressed by local farmers one layer per month for two years, making up 24 layers -tree trunk slowly smoked away with 350 small holes punctured through the building to let the smoke escape -lead sheeting added to the floor -space this creates is very dark with the light from the opening at the top drawing your eye upwards with the small holes lighting up like stars

OTHER FAMOUS WORKS -Protective Housing for Roman Archaeological Excavation, Switzerland 1985-86 -Homes for Senior Citizen, Switzerland 1989-1993 -Kunsthaus Bregenz, Austria 1990-1997 -Swiss Pavilion, Germany 1997-2007 -Kolumba Art Museum, Germany 1997-2007

LEGACY OF ZUMPHOR “Slow Architecture” tradition with a modern twist Idea of buildings settling into built environment by complimenting context rather than contradicting In contrast to architectural movements like ‘high-tech’, monumental builds such as Sir Norman Foster, Frank Ghery http://www.igpuk.com/GERKIN%204.jpg Although these buildings are immensely popular, slow architects critisise these ‘icon’ builds calling it ‘standoffish’ insinuating that the architects are selfish. Source: Caruso St John, The Times Saturday 15/04/09 http://banumawrur.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/guggenheim-bilbao-02.jpg

Nottingham Contemporary- Nottingham Gallery of Modern Art -situated in Nottingham’s lace market - made out of concrete cast in lace only visible close up provides subtle connection with the sites history -”the building grows out of the landscape, hanging off the craggy hill” Tom Dychoff http://www.edwardcullinanarchitects.com/projects/wd.html Edward Cullinan Architects- Weald & Downland Museum -situated in a forest in Sussex -made out of green oak and organically shaped the building connects with the surrounding environment -” …a building that is strikingly contemporary but which sits happily in a rural context...” http://www.cabe.org.uk/case-studies/weald-and-downland-gridshell http://www.bdonline.co.uk/Pictures/web/y/l/e/Caruso_St_John_Nottin_C352B.jpg

CONCLUSION http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/3457230236_49be44449a.jpg -minimalist yet contemporary, thought provoking design, with an emphasis on experience/feel of interiors and high attention to detail -several beautiful and understated buildings -teaches in an attempt to pass on his expertise, which not only emphasises his ability, but also his passion for architecture, and for architects of future generations -we all feel strongly influenced by Zumthor’s theories of architecture, as well as his numerous contributions to the built environment

We hope you have enjoyed our presentation. Thanks….and… Happy Christmas!