Peter Zumthor is one of the world’s leading architects, in his studio in Switzerland. In this extensive and rare biographical video interview, he tells the captivating story of his childhood, his studies in NYC, and his parents' strong influence.
Zumthor stating some of the important keys . source: https://vimeo.com/147308260#:~:text=We%20visited%20Peter%20Zumthor%20%E2%80%93%20one,and%20his%20parents'%20strong%20influence.
During the interview, the interviewer asked Zumthor “Do you need silence to work on your passion?”. Zumthor replied with his experiences, he is someone who works in the small town of Haldenstein in Switzerland. He enjoys being outside the big centers of the world, which allows him to care too much about other colleagues' opinions, quoted from Zumthor: “If you work like an artist, you need your own separate space.” He doesn't want to come across a situation where someone “might be right or wrong” kind of situation, as everyone does their own thing. His concept of “silence “ is described as “an anonymous kind of sound of the city”, which can be found inside the “protective ocean of sound”. In those spaces, Zumthor feels and appreciate the beautiful lots of noises, different kind of silences, finding different metal silence. Which allows it to be the most important to focus well, need peace and concentration.
Zumthor's Projects . source: https://vimeo.com/147308260#:~:text=We%20visited%20Peter%20Zumthor%20%E2%80%93%20one,and%20his%20parents'%20strong%20influence.
While explaining one of his works, Brother Klaus Field Chapel, 2007 Wachendorf, Germany, it really captures the nuances of the ‘silence’, as it takes quite a lot to understand space and to be able to design it. Zumthor's constant appetite for learning allows him to have the skills to understand any space he goes to quickly. He repeatedly described it as “feeling the space”, when entering a new working space. By feeling through the space and understanding, he would use existing forms and add new forms on top. This way it is very well sustainable, and to keep a part of history just by adding on the new. While it was well displayed with the church building, it really needs a deep understanding to be able to build the church to what the client believes in and describes. In this kind of building, it might be sensitive to them and some might take it offensively if it is not portrayed well.
Through his few projects, I would agree on both Homes for Senior Citizens, 1993, Graunbunden, Switzerland, and Kolumba Art Museum, 2007, Cologne, Germany with my design philosophy.
Zumthor's Projects . source: https://vimeo.com/147308260#:~:text=We%20visited%20Peter%20Zumthor%20%E2%80%93%20one,and%20his%20parents'%20strong%20influence.
For the Homes for Senior Citizens, 1993, Graunbunden, Switzerland, I agree with his saying that in any new given landscape there should always be an image in your head or your heart already knowing what kind of design you are going for. I could relate to him when he explained it, as it relates back to my personal experience too. With the given project, or with just a look at the site or photo of the new landscape, there will be multiple ideas flowing and filling up in my head. Allowing me to be prepared and know what I want to create in the space given. This allows me to adapt to new spaces, and to be creative with the image in the back of my head.
Zumthor's Projects . source: https://vimeo.com/147308260#:~:text=We%20visited%20Peter%20Zumthor%20%E2%80%93%20one,and%20his%20parents'%20strong%20influence.
The other project will be Kolumba Art Museum, 2007, Cologne, Germany. I agree with what he talked about when he added the new to the old. It is a very sustainable way, which also helps build a little spark for the old history. This philosophy is an interesting and excellent one to take in and learn from. There are different types of sustainable ways to build a building. However, I had never thought of this kind of way for sustainability until I came across his interview video. It really inspires me to look forward to using this “old form with new form” kind of design thinking for sustainability.
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