Book Review: Thinking Architecture
Thinking Architecture by Peter Zumthor, published by Lars Müller Publishers, 2000. Hardcover, 64 pages. (Amazon)
A recent discussion at Archinect prompted me to pick up my copy of Zumthor's out-of-print, 64-page collection of four lectures ("A way of looking at things", "The hard core of beauty", "From passion for things to the things themselves", "The body of architecture") and an essay "Teaching architecture, learning architecture". While the words span eight years, the ideas are consistent, particularly the importance of image. Zumthor culls imagery from his past, especially his youth, recalling places like his Aunt's kitchen, "a kitchen that has imprinted its memory indelibly on my mind". It is apparent that he puts as much care into his words as he does into his buildings, the Thermal Baths in Vals his most well-known, for good reason. In this project a timeless way of designing is achieved, the interiors cave-like and primal yet contemporary. Even more than Libeskind's recent book, Thinking Architecture reminds one of the power of architecture, reinstilling the drive to create architecture that resonates with people for years and generations to come.
A recent discussion at Archinect prompted me to pick up my copy of Zumthor's out-of-print, 64-page collection of four lectures ("A way of looking at things", "The hard core of beauty", "From passion for things to the things themselves", "The body of architecture") and an essay "Teaching architecture, learning architecture". While the words span eight years, the ideas are consistent, particularly the importance of image. Zumthor culls imagery from his past, especially his youth, recalling places like his Aunt's kitchen, "a kitchen that has imprinted its memory indelibly on my mind". It is apparent that he puts as much care into his words as he does into his buildings, the Thermal Baths in Vals his most well-known, for good reason. In this project a timeless way of designing is achieved, the interiors cave-like and primal yet contemporary. Even more than Libeskind's recent book, Thinking Architecture reminds one of the power of architecture, reinstilling the drive to create architecture that resonates with people for years and generations to come.
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