This slim volume is almost a reflection of the man who wrote it: elegant, with a warm and welcoming presence, yet sharp and concisely expressive. In Atmospheres: Architectural Environments, Surrounding Objects (2006) Peter Zumthor asks: ‘What constitutes an architectural atmosphere?’ – a question deeply aligned with his architectural philosophy. Unlike a typical architectural treatise, this book reads more like a meditation or as a lesson in self-observation, exploring space through the lens of human desire, where the built environment is as integral to the human experience as music or art.
Born in Basel in 1943, Zumthor followed in his father’s footsteps to become a cabinetmaker. This blend of craftsmanship, engineering and art undoubtedly shaped the mechanical and creative skills that would later inform his architectural processes. It was through cabinetmaking that Zumthor would first encounter the concept he would later recognise as phenomenology – a branch of philosophy focused on the lived experience to understand how we perceive the world through the senses and consciousness.
After studying architecture at the Kunstgewerbeschule in Switzerland, Zumthor received a grant from the Swiss government to continue his education at the Pratt Institute in New York. During his time in 1960s New York his ideas truly began to expand and he was exposed to a vibrant and experimental architectural scene, in both practice and theory. American architecture was moving in bold new directions, influenced by modernism and the avant-garde, offering a stark contrast to the more traditional European approach Zumthor had been trained in.
The American urban environment and its architectural challenges would leave a lasting impression on him, further shaping the idea that architecture should be as much about human experience as it is about form and function. As he began to refine his own approach, his deep respect for craftsmanship and materiality merged with an interest in the sensory and emotional impacts of space, and developed into the nuanced, phenomenological approach to design that defines his work today. Zumthor’s buildings are carefully crafted environments experienced through light, shadow, and texture to illicit a sense of connection not only with the built space but with the self and others.
Atmospheres draws on Zumthor’s own projects to offer a glimpse into his deeply personal approach to architecture. Through careful choices in materials, textures, form, and scale, Zumthor creates spaces that speak to something beyond aesthetics. He shows how the sound of footsteps echoing through a hallway, the warmth of sunlight dancing through a window, or the coarse texture of stone beneath your hand can shape the way we experience the built environment. It’s here that architecture transcends function, moving into the realm of poetry, subtly affecting emotions and stirring consciousness.
Atmospheres invites readers to think about buildings not just as visual objects but as immersive environments that shape our moods, memories and interactions. It is a testament to Zumthor’s unwavering commitment to crafting spaces that engage with the human spirit, leaving behind lasting impressions that transcend the material world. At its core, Atmospheres reminds us that good architecture is not just about what we see but about how it makes us feel. It is a compelling read for anyone interested in how architecture can touch the soul and shape the way we experience the world around us.
