“I never decided to become an architect.” | Architect Peter Zumthor | Louisiana Channel

We visited Peter Zumthor - one of the world’s leading architects - in his studio in Switzerland. In this extensive and rare biographical video interview, he tells the captivating story of his childhood, his studies in NYC and his parents’ strong influence.
Zumthor - who works from the small town of Haldenstein in Switzerland - likes being outside the big centres of the world, as it frees him of having to consider the opinions of his fellow colleagues: “If you work like an artist, you need your own separate space.” He does, however, also work well in the “anonymous sound” of a city, where it is also possible to find calm in “a protective ocean of sound.” There are, Zumthor feels, different kinds of silence, and finding one’s mental silence - being able to concentrate - is what is most important in order to work well.
“There’s nothing I’m not interested in.” Zumthor loves literature and music, but prides himself in taking an overall interest in different things, as it fuels him: “It’s a nourishing ground.” His constant appetite for learning gives him the tools to be able to understand whatever place or landscape he needs to work in, and being able to “feel a space” and having an idea of how to react as an architect, is essential. When he designs his innovative architecture, Zumthor furthermore puts great emphasis on connecting the old with the new, rather than breaking with history. Likewise, he feels that all architects have a great social responsibility when it comes to creating buildings, which are both well crafted and sustainable.
Anything can be considered art as long as it’s done with personal devotion to the making of it, Zumthor argues: “I never decided to become an architect.” Starting out as an industrial designer, it was not until 1968 that he made the decision of becoming an architect and began participating in competitions, thinking to himself: “I can do this better.” As for the first competition he entered, he was kicked out in the first round - a pivotal experience that made him aware of the need to always improve.
Peter Zumthor (b. 1943) is a Swiss architect. Among his best-known projects are the Kunsthaus Bregenz in Austria, the thermal baths in Vals in Switzerland, the Swiss Pavilion for Expo 2000 in Hannover (an all-timber structure intended to be recycled after the event) and the Kolumba Diocesan Museum in Cologne. Zumthor is the winner of several prestigious awards such as the 1998 Carlsberg Architecture Prize, the Mies van der Rohe Award for European Architecture (1999), the Praemium Imperiale (2008), the 2009 Pritzker Architecture Prize and the 2013 RIBA Royal Gold Medal. He lives and works in Switzerland.
For more about Peter Zumthor see: / zumthor
Peter Zumthor was interviewed by Marc-Christoph Wagner at his studio in Haldenstein, Switzerland in May 2015.
Camera: Klaus Elmer
Edited by: Klaus Elmer
Produced by: Marc-Christoph Wagner
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2015
Supported by Nordea-fonden
#PeterZumthor #Architecture

[@thelouisianachannel]

*“Empathy is a superpower in architecture”. 10 architects share their advice to the young in this video:* kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJCYeKl8h6mafLM

[@ulanlernik4069]

O9 es a

[@monacoion]

❤😂😊 WordsInLineSpaceAndTime Super ❤

[@Qs1999]

His style looks so cold yet feels like home and warmth. His work is an expression of himself , such a great mind and heart! Amazing artist!

[@Lexter606]

His works speak the volume of his personality - muted, calm, silent, mediated, poetic, nature, etc. It's an architecture of time. I ran out of words for his work, I just crave and wonder what and when he'll come out with another project!

[@mic9check]

This video is already a classic..Much appreciated!

[@BloomGlare]

Unbelievably beautiful interview by a thoughtful, insanely unique and interesting person.

[@willknowsright9615]

Peter seems like a genuine talented person. His works are both brilliant and atmospheric.

[@AssociationEpione31]

Such a joy to listen to someone so inspired and humble . Thank you .

[@thelouisianachannel]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@sharonphelps]

Beautiful architecture, and amazing person

[@haydeehdez3262]

Mesmerized by his work, I absolutely love his style of architecture, the emotions he evokes thought his materials and the way he collaborates with nature...Peter Zumthor, to me one of the greatest!

[@may6857]

Thanks a lot, it helped me get to know more about him and his works.

[@Annie80Taylor]

Thanks for sharing this interview, really inspiring.

[@johnferraz6417]

Sincerity of intent and clarity of necessity...we are alone in the tide of reality. There is always hope.

[@user-ip3mr1vx8i]

Love his architectural language. His architecture is like poetry.

[@MaZEEZaM]

I find different views of architecture interesting, perhaps its the black and white images but for me the architecture shown in this video does not give me a feeling of happiness, on the contrary it feels repressive to me, like a monument to the Holocaust for instance, a place for reflection but also a place you would sink into depression if you stayed for long.

[@davidhernandez9985]

It is like a lingo of a doctor or lawyer.

[@ratana98]

Jupiter Eye truyghv hrbexsxs ww www

[@muktarajibola4634]

Not like, but is poetry.

[@hanpeter6948]

me too！

[@jeannettesalazar6442]

Peter how bless you are working as an architect. I decided to be an architect when I was 7 years. I worked as an architect in my native country. I moved to other country. I graduated as an architect twice even though my qualifications were recognised but I never had the opportunity and I am very sad. Congratulations your work is excellent.

[@ungureanana-cristina4562]

This was so stunning! I so much wish to be your student!

[@ezinneorjiako]

Absolutely love his story.

[@ajy84]

soporific! Fascinating! Wonderful! Woah! Ah! Soporific!

[@user-wc3jn4eo6b]

소중한 자료 감사합니다ㆍ 🌹

[@JESUS-qx3ws]

Absolutely the Professor...

[@maultx]

so good

[@bleedinggumsroberts3579]

wow this man is awesome

[@ivanchytil6279]

Bravo!

[@MOJO-IV]

“Look first then say something” 👌

[@JimmyGunawanX]

I like what he said on 16:31 Art in everything.

[@batchint]

...at some point equinox on channel 4.. showed an item on early warning systems some ideas I had never come across since.. just the sound!

[@zhonlino]

His voice itself is some kind of spoken silence.

[@niken5531]

i have to agree with this :"

[@Stray_side]

So much so the sound technician or mix master failed to allow many to hear properly.

[@asynchronicity]

A conversation between him and Werner Herzog would be amazing.

[@KotauFPS]

I was asked to make some spanish subtitles for this. I could upload it once I'm done if anyone's interested. Alguien me pidió que subtitulara esta entrevista al español. Si a alguien le interesa que la suba a youtube, pueden responder a este comentario.

[@JavierMoser]

Kotau si tenes el subtitulo estaria buenisimo que lo subas! Seria genial para mostrar en la clase de arquitectura. Gracias!

[@maximilianoalvarez506]

Kotau Hola, me serviría mucho, gracias. Saludos

[@ViceArancibia]

a mucha gente le gustaría. Ponte en contacto con el canal para no infringir copyright en todo caso

[@Rm-mq2qg]

por favor, seria genial.

[@TheAhmadbd]

Phenomenology speaking

[@CHPCHPCHP123]

i would have loved to hear the questions, too

[@davidhernandez9985]

MerryChristmas,& Happy2020 Mr.Zumthor has any projects with 3dprintings in any or his work by any chance?

[@crila07]

magnifique!

[@SynergyDesignSA]

He lost me when he said we shouldn't do this just to earn money... he just validated every boss, developer, client who is out to exploit architects . He didn't have to go there 😢

[@jazziseverywhere]

10:46 I like this part.

[@mansourbellahel-hajj5378]

the Legend

[@ranaomerfarooq255]

Norman Foster is a marvelous designs presented by the video . His views are natural and picturesque.Consume d the energy

[@gawkersmamhe]

peter ur now my idol

[@gyudtrasar3933]

16:41 I find it funny how architects sort of stumble into the profession more than to aspire to become one.

[@schwarzegeometrie4034]

tears

[@mariocalado1861]

WE Like!

[@designzhang1231]

I like his silence,want to USA learn architectural,I work in xi'an China for 6years,but don't know many things and want know more,think is just a way to be a good architect but not all.

[@Olenuha]

3:47 хороший баланс строений и растений. действительно - присутствует тишина.

[@guytiips3906]

You can see his architecture in music video "Everytime" Janet Jackson

[@antonschmid229]

Cooles Video

[@walterramirezt]

A very phenomenological architect

[@WelcomeToSteph]

This video is great, but the audio mixing is pretty bad when listening in headphone - only comes out the left ear.

[@tranzco1173]

There are international airporst 1.5 hours from LA. San Diego is 1.8 hours. The USA is big, but not that big.

[@tomblauyou72]

❤goat

[@legarconquiment1069]

Can anybody see the books in the left corner

[@emiliorossi7851]

Anyone knows the intro soundtrack? Who's the artist that plays the piano song?

[@ahmedouelboayt5641]

findthetune.com/guests/#!/search/phrase=distant+memories+&perpage=100 you can find it here it's called distant memories . it's made by Morten Gildberg-Hansen in joy it .i found it after texting the channel of louisiana they were helpfull .Well it's all

[@chavesfig]

This video deserved a much better sound quality, its hard to understand the audio

[@jacklane9781]

The God of architecture

[@kevingao5310]

Anyone know the brand of his shirt? Thanks!!!

[@jacquelineflood3244]

“Brand COOL” ********

[@Vishal-ve2kq]

If anyone have case study on this project please share with me

[@HcieseK]

크 춤톨쨔응! 아이시떼루요!!

[@harperwelch5147]

These first three episodes are talking about but not seeing their work!

[@rosariodirosa2060]

he is thr best architect

[@Rm-mq2qg]

Rosario Di Rosa yes ,sure the best.

[@nahomhailu7372]

ARCH 114 01 Building design and theory II, i was here

[@ahmedouelboayt5641]

please name of song in the start of this video :)

[@MrNimaguitar]

did u find it ?

[@afnanfahmi6405]

findthetune.com/guests/#!/search/phrase=distant+memories+&perpage=100 you can find it here it's called distant memories . it's made by Morten Gildberg-Hansen in joy it .i found it after texting the channel of louisiana they were helpfull .Well it's all

[@minjoo7604]

알고리즘을 통해 영상을 보기 시작한 한국의 건축학도

[@user-xl7lj4cc8p]

어렵네요..

[@shervinparto640]

big architecture

[@itzseafairyplayz5527]

the voice of God!

[@user-ni2vj5qx3h]

그가 만든 공간에서 인터뷰의 낱말을 곱씹어 보고 한참을 바라보고싶다.

[@murphyyum1123]

[@lucianasalles7272]

🎧

[@diontsonidis3033]

shots fired at rem lol

[@Juno-Doran]

I find him really hard to understand, English subtitles would be great

[@singha6]

The subtitles will make it even clearer that no one can follow his train of thought. I thought if I talked like he does, people would laugh at me. But they respect him even though they can't understand him because he has won all these prizes and therefore they think, he must be great. Having met him, as a person he is lovely and humble. So the conclusion is that probably his designs talk better than he does

[@fareedtareen6527]

w

[@andrealasagni-ih6nr]

Ciao prof

[@zuam7645]

*it is voiceless for him to say that he is trying to use Luis Barragan's style!*

[@bluebet]

18:23 - 26:48

[@andrealasagni-ih6nr]

Hy peter

[@kohterg3713]

Pliz i will wash dishes

[@visArchi]

💡معماری داخلی و تریدی مکس فارسی در ویزارکی 💡

[@ronniedelahoussayechauvin6717]

What is this?

[@harrybellingham98]

audio is a mess

[@meryemasmin6208]

Ben 9pol plppp8pp

[@nicolasfl1864]

"I met an architect...a woman architect..."

[@djcb4190]

Don't recite it. Remember it, and soon you will become like me. - Peter Zumthor

[@a2349]

His work is ok, I can do better

[@1ndle]

"there is something special about painting, and there is something special about music, and there is something special about literature, and there is something special about.....ZZZZzzzzz" *_falls asleep_*

[@suburbanTrick]

I can name at least 65 better american architects

[@marceltzara3253]

I hate silence

[@gilbertavilucea1394]

He is overrated.

[@drzavahercegbosnaponosna5974]

I don't know why, but I've always disliked this guy, ... not his architecture though.

[@pogodnopedro]

[@architecturestudent9454]

انا جزائرية ادرس تخصص الهندسة المعمارية من يريد اكثر معلومات حول تخصص الهندسة المعمارية او اي تخصص اخر او اي نصائح حول الدراسة يتفضل لقناتي

[@johnmichaelcampisbobe9966]

His works speak the volume of his personality - muted, calm, silent, mediated, poetic, nature, etc. It's an architecture of time. I ran out of words for his work, I just crave and wonder what and when he'll come out with another project!

[@anujpartihar]

Happy with yerself are ya?

[@javierpacheco8234]

I like the way he talks but please his design is once again those concrete windowless buildings that keep being worshipped by a small but powerful group of architects and no announcement to the people. Sorry but the architecture feels empty or voidless.