 Pursuit of the Essential
The book is an excellent intorduction to Zumthor's architecture. His pursuit of "the essential" in architecture is explained simple and clear. In seeking 'factual truth' in architecture, Zumthor explains what matters to him in his consideration of "specific" contexts and issues and corresponding architectural answers. This book let me better understand why his buildings exude such extraordinary aura and where his ideas may stem from. It's highly recommended. One of the real masters in architecture today certainly understands how the tactile presence of the book (how it is made with care) can give readers a pleasure or even a sensation. And, it makes me think that the content of the book is represented in a physical presence of this cloth-bound book. In the book, Zumthor talks about his desire to design a building that takes on its own life afterwards without any rhetoric or any further explaination to make one appreciate his architecture. The book itself seems to be doing just that. It may be something digital readers can never deliver to us.
the intensity of silence
In many ways, the reading of this book reminded me of the writings of Louis Kahn: both explicit and metaphorical reflections on the inner complexities of the apparent simplicities of daily life. The selections of almost inscrutable photographs, extreme close-ups of sections of Zumthor's house, act as as another way to explore the intensity of the artist's and his art's soul. All along the book, and in a very poetical manner, phrases seem to be left hanging unfinished, as for one's own mind and sensibility to put together the pieces of and intriguing and inspiring puzzle that remains open and to be developed by the reader. While the voice of a master is always heard, the message is delivered with the subtlety of his work, as for the reader not to feel forced into a way of thinking, acting or perceiving, but invited to stay with eyes, mind and all senses open to enjoy the pleasures of life and the possibility to contribute to them by one's own minor but never meaningless actions.
Source of Rationality
It reflects the knowledge of a big architect that Zumthor is, one thousand words that make you learn a diferent way to look at things and to create a rational way of thinking about architecture.
Stop reading reviews and start reading this book.
Zumthor is incredibly talented... there is quite some difficulty in not only creating simple, beautiful, natural and intentional architecture, but also something even more difficult in relating it verbally. Thinking Architecture does an amazing job at that. This is a book you could return to every few months, and it will re-awaken your senses to the architectural world around you, as well as your memories and experiences with those environments. Zumthor truly does give an excellent source of thoughts and events in this book. Extremely recommended, "Atmospheres" as well!
A different way of "thinking architecture"
As an architecture student, I found this book very very interesting, because Peter Zumthor has a different way of "thinking architecture". His own way. A way in which I had never thought of it, so it actualy opened my mind for some aspects that are not so frequent in the learning of architecture.
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