peter zumthor atmospheres architectural environments surrounding objects

It is important to create a sense of freedom to move at your own pace, not being directed. The way in which people circulate throughout a building can contribute to its atmosphere. It has to do with movement, a space is temporal. These objects give an empty shell a sense of home or purpose and contribute to the atmosphere.Īrchitecture is a spatial art. A room should be designed with its final setting in mind, not only inhabited by people but their objects they will place within it.

When designing, the future use should be kept in mind. “Temperature in this sense is physical, but presumably psychological too” (Zumthor)Īn interiors atmosphere can be influenced by objects that have a relationship or conversation within the space. “To temper” also refers to the search for a mood or atmosphere. A cool space on a warm day provides relief, while a warm space on a cool day provides comfort. The temperature of an interior can affect how it is inhabited. Sound quality of a space can affect an atmosphere through mood and dynamics. The sound of a space changes with time of day, it’s inhabitants and the material composition. Interiors are acoustic – they collect, amplify, mute and distribute sound. Proximity of materials can create reactions and relationships within a space. Material composition can offer many possibilities in the creation of atmosphere. Materials interact with one another, their different properties and qualities can complement or juxtapose one another. A mass covered in membrane or skin made up of different components and elements to create a whole. Processes and tools contribute to an overall atmosphere.Īrchitecture in itself can be a bodily structure.

The magic of the real world can spark our wonder about a physical structure and how it can achieve a phenomenological affect. We are capable of an immediate emotional response of appreciation or spontaneous rejection based on our understanding and experience of atmospheres. We perceive atmosphere through our emotional sensibility- a form of perception that works incredibly quickly” (Zumthor) “in the fraction of a second – have this feeling about it. The impression of a building can offer a basic insight into its atmosphere.

He states that good architecture should “move” him. Zumthor implies that atmosphere is an aesthetic or quality a building can achieve.

A successful atmosphere is one in which people want to linger, they feel comfortable in their surroundings, yet can be surprised and intrigued. He ultimately wishes to create architecture that immediately communicates a certain atmosphere to those who view/enter it. Zumthor speaks of how he aims to achieve a “perfectly tempered feel” of his built spaces. The word atmosphere is regularly associated with the interior.

Peter zumthor atmospheres architectural environments surrounding objects