DANIEL MARSHALL ARCHITECTS

11.05.12 by Mike Hartley

Wise Words from Zumthor

Chinks in sealed objects

Buildings are artificial constructions.  They consist of single parts which must be joined together.  To a large degree, the quality of the finished object is determined by the quality of the joins…

Details express what the basic idea of the design requires at the relevant point in the object: belonging or separation. tension or lightness, friction, solidity, fragility…

Details, when they are successful, are not mere decoration.  They do not distract or entertain.  They lead to an understanding of the whole of which they are an inherent part.

Extracts from PETER ZUMTHOR THINKING ARCHITECTURE