In a fragment of a second you can understand: Things you know, things you donโt know, things you donโt know that you donโt know, conscious, unconscious, things which in a fragrant of a second you can react to: we can all imagine why this capacity was given to us as human beings - I guess to survive. Architecture to me has the same kind of capacity. It takes longer to capture, but the essence to me is the same. I call this atmosphere. When you experience a building and it gets to you. It sticks in your memory and your feelings. I guess thats what I am trying to do.
Peter ZumthorIf, early on, you know how things are put together, then you can build. The architect is in charge of making - he is not an artist.
Peter ZumthorIn a society that celebrates the inessential, architecture can put up a resistance, counteract the waste of forms and meanings and speak its own language.
Peter ZumthorMy relationship to plants becomes closer and closer. They make me quiet; I like to be in their company.
Peter ZumthorI think the chance of finding beauty is higher if you don't work on it directly. Beauty in architecture is driven by practicality. This is what you learn from studying the old townscapes of the Swiss farmers.
Peter ZumthorIn a fragment of a second you can understand: Things you know, things you donโt know, things you donโt know that you donโt know, conscious, unconscious, things which in a fragrant of a second you can react to: we can all imagine why this capacity was given to us as human beings - I guess to survive. Architecture to me has the same kind of capacity. It takes longer to capture, but the essence to me is the same. I call this atmosphere. When you experience a building and it gets to you. It sticks in your memory and your feelings. I guess thats what I am trying to do.
Peter Zumthor