Atmospheres: Architectural Environments. Surrounding Objects

What “really constitutes an architectural atmosphere”? Peter Zumthor says, is “this singular density and mood, this feeling of presence, well-being, harmony, beauty ... under whose spell I experience what I otherwise would not experience in precisely this way.” Zumthor’s passion is the creation of buildings that produce this kind of effect, but how can one actually set out to achieve it? In nine short, illustrated chapters framed as a process of self-observation, Peter Zumthor describes what he has on his mind as he sets about creating the atmosphere of his houses. Images of spaces and buildings that affect him are every bit as important as particular pieces of music or books that inspire him. From the composition and “presence”‎ of the materials to the handling of proportions and the effect of light, this poetics of architecture enables the reader to recapitulate what really matters in the process of house design.

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Atmospheres: Architectural Environments. Surrounding Objects

Author

Peter Zumthor

Publisher

Birkhäuser Architecture

Format

Hardcover

Pages

76

Size

9.5 x 6.75 Inches

Origin

Switzerland

ISBN

9783764374952

About the author

Peter Zumthor

Peter Zumthor is a highly acclaimed Swiss architect known for his minimalist and sensory-focused approach to design. Born in 1943, he trained as a cabinet maker before studying architecture in Switzerland and the US. He established his practice in Haldenstein, Switzerland, in 1979, and is renowned for projects like the Therme Vals spa and the Kunsthaus Bregenz museum. Zumthor's work emphasizes the use of natural materials, light, and a deep respect for the surrounding environment, often creating spaces that are both modern and timeless. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2009.