Seeking the real: the special case of Peter Zumthor

Christopher Platt, Steven Spier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
16123 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Peter Zumthor writes about "developing an architecture which sets out from and returns to real things" referring to both his own design process and the qualities he wishes his architecture to convey. In an architecture culture long accustomed to media saturation and the image, the phrase 'real things' is provocative and potentially archaic. This paper examines what Zumthor means by that term by investigating how he establishes the core ideas or principles that come to inform design development; namely, by his approach to a brief, a site, and a context. The paper draws on his writings as well as our own experience of being in his buildings, particularly through a rare interview that we conducted with him in his new house and atelier in Haldenstein.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)30-42
Number of pages12
JournalArchitectural Theory Review
Volume15
Issue number1
Early online date30 Mar 2010
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Apr 2010

Keywords

  • architecture
  • design
  • buildings
  • architecture culture

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