Atmospheres: Architectural Environments. Surrounding Objects by Peter Zumthor

Atmospheres: Architectural Environments. Surrounding Objects Reviews

• 
  Uroš Đurković

  Ova knjiga je nastala na osnovu predavanja koje je Cumtor održao na jednom nemačkom festivalu 2003. godine. Kao takva, ona predstavlja više nego ugodan pregled onoga što arhitektura jeste i što treba da bude, posebno u odnosu na razmišljanje o atmosferi kao estetskoj kategoriji. Atmosfera je samorazumljiv, ali teško objašnjiv arhitektonski kvalitet, koji presudno određuje naš doživljaj nekog prostora. Identitet neke građevine je, osim u njenom fizičkom opisu, zasnovan upravo na tom njenom, atmosferičnom aspektu – koji Cumtor povezuje sa neposrednom, nelinearnom percepcijom okruženja. Atmosfera je, dakle, temeljno interaktivni fenomen, koji Cumtor poredi sa magijom – magijom prostora, odnosno, magijom realnog. Ta neuhvatljivost u uhvatljivosti prostora je nešto što ga i najviše inspiriše.
  
  I zaista, neki doživljaji nas smesta prekriju, uvuku u svoj svet. Neke atmosfere poseduju jaču, neke slabiju auru. Neke se menjaju. A vrhunski arhitekta treba da činjenicu atmosfere uvaži i u projektantskom radu. Kao orijentaciju za ovaj poduhvat, Zumtor razvija sledeće teze:
  
  1) TELO ARHITEKTURE – ovde je, čini se, dosta ideja pozajmljeno od Merlo-Pontija – uz pomoć sopstvenog tela mi sameravamo celokupnu stvarnost, pa i arhitekturu. Takođe, Ji-Fu Tuan je ovu sjajnu ideju razradio znatno elokventnije nekoliko decenija pre Zumtora.
  2) KOMPATIBILNOST MATERIJALA – fascinantno je kako jedan isti materijal (drvo, metal, kamen) mogu da daju ogroman broj mogućih arhitektonskih rešenja. Neko ko razmišlja o pravljenju zgrade, mora razmisliti i o dobroj meri, jer đavo se krije u detaljima, pa i atmosfera.
  3) ZVUK PROSTORA – enterijeri su uvek zbirke zvukova, čak i kada, naizgled, vlada u njima potpuna tišina. Sve ima neki svoj ton i to nije samo pitagorejska tema, već recimo i Džona Kejdža ili Juhanija Palasme. O tim vezama je isto moglo biti više reči.
  4) TEMPERATURA PROSTORA – ne odnosi se samo na temperaturu merenu u celzijusima ili farenhajtima, već na lični dožviljaj materijala u kontekstu toplote – na primer, drvo je kućevnije, udobnije, dok je metal odbojan i hladan.
  5) OBJEKTI U OKRUŽENJU – građevina nikad ne postoji sama za sebe – ona je deo pejzaža, predela – sa kojim, hteo to arhitekta ili ne, mora da komunicira.
  6) IZMEĐU MIRA I ZAVOĐENJA – arhitektura je, naravno, prostorna umetnost, ali sa vremenskom dimenzijom – kako građevine stare, ali i kako ljudi stare (ili samo provode vreme) u građevini je izuzetno važno. Opet nije spomenut Palasma, a ovde bi mogao i Bašlar, ali pre svega u sledećem delu.
  7) TENZIJA IZMEĐU UNUTRAŠNJEG I SPOLJAŠNJEG – e, ovo je prava Bašlarova tema. Cumtor primećuje kako zgrada uvek nešto govori ulici ili trgu na kome se nalazi – kao i da celina građevine predstavljaju i sitnice koje opet sameravamo u odnosu na sopstveno telo – od vrata do svih neprimetnih majušnih predmeta koji čine sastavni deo postojanja nekog objekta.
  8) NIVO INTIMNOSTI – opet varijacija na temu – masa zgrade spram sopstvene, lične. A i jasno je, neki prostori su intimniji, prisniji, neki su distancirani. To je isto delokrug atmosfere.
  9) SVETLOST – nego šta! Svetlo je par excellance arhitektonski fenomen, a Cumtor ističe da dnevno svetlo doživljava na duhovan način. Formula je jasna: što više dobro vođenog dnevnog svetla, to bolje.
  
  Uz navedene teze, Cumtor navodi i dva dodatka – još jednom ističe značaj okruženja, gde daje mali omaž Handkeovom doživljaju prostora, a nakon toga kaže kako mu je mnogo važnije da se neko seća poljupca pored neke zgrade, nego da ta zgrada završi u istoriji arhitekture. Napisa to Cumtor i dobi Prickera 2009. godine. U istoriji arhitekture je svakako, a verujem i, posredno, usput, u nečijoj emocionalnoj istoriji.
  
  Dodaje samo još i da je u arhitekturi važna koherentnost, kao i dimenzija primene. Opet, ništa novo, sve što je Le Korbizje imao da kaže, tu je, na malom, skicirucnuto.
  
  Sve u svemu, jedan simpatičan, pojednostavljen i neuznesen tekst programskog tipa, koji pre može da se doživi kao pregled sjajnih teza, nego vanserijsko predavanje. Može biti zanimljiv onima koji su, poput mene, autsajderi za ovu oblast.
  
• 
  Rajiv Ashrafi

  It’s always a pleasure to listen to smart people talk. It’s an even greater pleasure to read them. Atmospheres is such a book by Peter Zumthor, containing the architect’s lecture on architecture and its intricate relationship with atmosphere. The book, despite being brief, is brimming with passion and ideas that will make you rethink architecture and space.
  
  The first thing that struck me about this book was how easy and accessible it was. Zumthor’s lecture was to the point, used no jargon, and was easy to understand for people like me who are not into architecture. It inspires the reader, and the lucky listeners who were there, to take a look around themselves and take note of the spaces, buildings, surroundings, environment, light—everything—and how they figure into our existences.
  
  Zumthor begins by addressing what exactly is quality architecture: “Quality architecture to me is when a building manages to move me… How do people design things with such a beautiful, natural presence, things that move me every single time.” I felt that was a strong introduction to his lecture and a good indicator of his thoughts. He then begins discussing the act of existing and first impressions, connecting them with architecture and our views towards it. His thesis is compelling and thought-provoking.
  
  Another great point he makes is about the presence, or rather the absence, of sound in buildings and places. We subconsciously associate people and places with specific sounds. It is something that I’d never thought about before, and it got me thinking about the places I had been to and the places that I’d stayed in. Another brilliant point that he makes is the “art of seduction” in architecture. He talks about functionality of hospital corridors, where people are guided towards a specific direction. More importantly, however, he discusses letting people roam around freely. He deliberates over the “voyage of discovery” that architecture provides for those in buildings, letting them “stroll at will—just drifting along.”
  
  He also has a lot to say about the juxtaposition between the interior and exterior. I can’t help but cite him on this:
  

  “…the almost imperceptible transition between the inside and the outside, an incredible sense of place, an unbelievable feeling of concentration when we suddenly become aware of being enclosed, of something enveloping us, keeping us together, holding us—whether we be many or single… Architecture knows this and uses it.”

  Finally, he moves on to surroundings and the impact of memory on the importance of a place. He carefully considers how memory is used to locate buildings and architecture in peoples’ minds. I thought it was a fascinating hypothesis, and I thought about my memories regarding old homes. I feel he makes a strong case, though I’d have to read more before I can make a reasonably educated conclusion.
  
  The only problem I can find with the book is its format. Lectures don’t translate very well to writing. Sections of the book feel superfluous; it could do with tighter editing. Some of the pictures, though they look great, don’t seem to relate well with the text and can often be distracting.
  
  So, what can I say: I loved Atmospheres. It has kindled in me love and respect for architecture and space that I didn’t have before. Zumthor raises some very good points. I guess this book is aimed towards architecture students and enthusiasts, but I feel this is something everyone should read if they want some perspective on space, sound, light, memories, and everything else that makes our surroundings what they are.
• 
  Negar Ghadimi

  من آموخته بودم که به نخستین رویارویی ام با هر چیز اعتماد نکنم و به آن فرصتِ بیشتری بدهم. سال ها گذشت و کمی پا به سن گذاشتم؛ باید اعتراف کنم که به تأثیرِ نخستین مواجهه ها باور پیدا کرده ام. در موردِ معماری نیز تا حدودی شبیه به همین است … اتمسفر را از طریقِ ادراکاتِ حسی مان دریافت می کنیم، شکلی از دریافت که به طورِ شگفت انگیزی سریع عمل می کند …
  ——————————————————
  دریافتم خیلی زیباست که وقتی ساختمانی می سازید، آن را در سکوت تصور کنید. منظورم این است که همیشه ساختمان را به مکانی ساکت تبدیل کنید … صداهایی را تصور کنید که فضاها در سکوتی که شما ایجاد کرده اید، خودشان با تناسبات و مصالحشان تولید می کنند.
  ——————————————————
  این ایده که چیزهایی که بر من به عنوانِ معمار تأثیر ندارند یا من نمی فهممشان، مکانِ خود را -مکانی که مستحقش هستند- در ساختمان دارند، تفکری است که به من بینشی از آینده ی ساختمان ها می دهد: آینده ای که بدونِ من اتفاق می افتد؛ حالِ مرا خوب می کند. کمکِ بزرگی است برای من که بتوانم آینده ی اتاق های خانه ای را که می سازم، تصور کنم، آن ها را همان طور تصور کنم که استفاده خواهند شد.
  ——————————————————
  فکر می کنم زمانی معماری به بالاترین سطحِ کیفیت نائل می شود که هنرِ کاربردی تلقی گردد و در زمانی در زیباترین حالتِ خود خواهد بود که اجزایش در موقعیتِ قرارگیری شان، مفید باشند، زمانی که انسجام داشته باشند. این امر زمانی اتفاق می افتد که هر چیزی به چیزِ دیگر وابسته باشد و حذفِ هر چیزِ منفرد، غیر ممکن باشد مگر با تخریبِ کلیت. مکان، فرم و عملکرد. فرم، مکان را بازتاب می دهد، مکان هم فرم را و عملکرد هر دو را.
• 
  Ale Calderón

  It's a beautiful book, very easy to read. It makes you realize that architecture is full of intentions and sensibilities (that can come from anywhere like art or music) instead of bricks and walls. Also it makes you appreciate elements like sound, levels of intimacy, light, etc... that transform a place into an atmospheric experience.
• 
  Parisa Pezeshkpour

  زومتور در اتمسفر از کیفیت‌ها و ویژگی‌هایی صحبت میکند که در یک فضا میتوانند ما را "تکان دهند".
  از صدای فضاها صحبت میکند و از سکوتشان.
  از اینکه چطور معماری را بشنویم.
  از تابش نور روی چیزها میگوید و از جزئیاتی که معمولا نمی‌بینیم.
  از اینکه چطور معماری گاهی فریبمان می‌دهد.
  و چطور گاهی با اطراف یکی میشود، انگار که همیشه همانجا بوده.
• 
  Philippe

  We've arrived at the privileged point in life where our own children are starting to feed us with valuable reading suggestions. This was a Christmas present for our son, who is in the final stages of his architecture studies. Atmospheres is an enchanting meditation by a master artisan-builder on the core drivers behind his craft. In nine short sections and three appendices he explains, in plain language, the elements that guide him in the creation of 'stimmungsvol' spaces. It's all very earthy, very pragmatic and rooted in attuned attentiveness. The text was produced from a lecture with minimal editing so that is easy to hear the man speak while perusing the book. A nice object it is too. I only had trouble matching the visuals with the text. But probably this must have been carefully considered and I didn't grasp the sequencing logic. I'll have to buy my own copy when our son leaves the house.
• 
  Nadine Ayman

  i love this book , i highly recommend it to anyone ( not only architects )
  everything about this book is simply perfect and who knew an architecture book will remind me of a poem ?
  
  It is a kind of love, is it not?
  How the cup holds the tea,
  How the chair stands sturdy and foursquare,
  How the floor receives the bottoms of shoes
  Or toes. How soles of feet know
  Where they’re supposed to be.
  I’ve been thinking about the patience
  Of ordinary things, how clothes
  Wait respectfully in closets
  And soap dries quietly in the dish,
  And towels drink the wet
  From the skin of the back.
  And the lovely repetition of stairs.
  And what is more generous than a window?
  
  ~ Pat Schneider
• 
  Luísa

  Um livro que me aproxima da arquitetura e me ajuda a ver a sua essência, com pureza e poesia. Incrível ♥️
• 
  Taraneh Ip

  کوتاه و روان و زیبا. هر چند انتظارم بخاطر نویسنده کتاب کمی بالاتر بود اما احتمالا در هفتاد صفحه بیش از این نمیگنجید.
• 
  Marie

  Kanskje den fineste (!!) beskrivelsen av arkitektur jeg har lest
• 
  E L K Y

  This is a short and beautiful book which basically puts Peter Zumthor's lectures into perspective for the reader, this particular lecture is not available only in this medium so having the photographic examples for me as a fan of architecture without any deep scientific knowledge was terrific.
  The lectures or the book are more philosophical than scientific but still offer you a look at what is essential for architects to consider and the steps and thought processes taken when architects think of the overall atmospheres of their work.
  
  I would recommend this any day, it's very short and it makes you think in a light yet deep way.
• 
  Anna Makarova

  A great compilation of sensibilities and sensitivities to consider when designing a building or a space. Zumthor attempts to grasp something quite intangible and make it achievable; an interesting take on architecture and what makes a great building.
• 
  Frank Lopes

  This book has an amazing approach to show how architecture is important for our environment. What an amazing job from Peter Zumthor.
• 
  Pao

  Lo leí por la Facultad. Pero me fascina su manera de ver la arquitectura y su arquitectura. 💕
• 
  Felipe Diaz

  Simplemente una reflexión espectacular sobre la construcción sensorial de espacios y lugares.
• 
  Ciuras Adrian

  Good for architecture students.
• 
  Orsela

  Peter Zumthor is underrated ❤
• 
  Beatrice

  Super insightful and easy to understand.
• 
  Akmal A.

  Ini ialah buku pertama tentang falsafah seni bina yang aku pernah baca sepanjang hidup. Buku yang paling seni bina aku baca pun ialah Anjung Seri, itu pun hanyalah sekadar melihat gambar-gambar cantik. Peter menulis dengan bahasa yang mudah untuk difahami oleh semua orang, walaupun seseorang itu tidak pernah langsung belajar secara formal tentang seni bina.
  
  Satu persoalan timbul tentang mengapa dan bagaimana sesebuah ruang tersebut boleh mempengaruhi emosi individu. Sebagai contoh, bagaimana mahu mencipta ruang supaya ianya berfungsi dengan baik sehingga pengguna dapat merasai dan menghargai setiap ruang yang diciptakan tersebut. Hal ini timbul semasa pertama kali lawatan aku ke Universiti Melbourne, kerana ruang-ruang yang disediakan di Universiti tersebut sangat kondusif dan bagi aku ianya sebuah ruang yang mengalakkan percambahan idea. Perkara ini juga terjawab sedikit lepas aku menonton cerita Stanford Prison Experiment dan hari ni aku rasa terjawab banyak lepas baca buku ni.
  
  Peter menerangkan sembilan perkara-perkara asas yang dititikberatkan beliau dalam memastikan sesebuah ruang atau bangunan tersebut berfungsi sepenuhnya dan ianya saling berkait rapat dengan emosi individu serta beberapa perkara-perkara lain. Kesemuanya memberi pencerahan kepada aku kenapa pengalaman individu berbeza-beza ketika memasuki sesebuah ruang.
  
  Aku bersetuju dengan penulis, bagi aku tujuan akhir senibina bukanlah untuk mencapai bentuk-bentuk yang canggih atau sesetengah orang menganggap ianya sebuah (seni?) tetapi ialah untuk mencapai kebahagiaan dan kegembiraan ketika menggunakan ruang tersebut. Sebagai contoh, aku melihat bangunan KLCC hanyalah sekadar bangunan yang megah dan sekadar simbol kekayaan sesebuah negara semata-mata. Berada di dalam ruang bangunan KLCC yang tingkatnya berjumlah 88 hanyalah sekadar memasuki ruang-ruang ofis bangunan empat tingkat. Sebaliknya pengalaman aku berada di sebuah rumah kaum Gipsi di Kashmir sangat mengembirakan aku. Walaupun ruangnya hanya sebesar Bilik Master (Master Bedroom) dan luarannya hanyalah sebentuk kiub, aku dapat rasakan bagaimana ruang itu berfungsi untuk mereka boleh berinteraksi antara satu sama lain.
• 
  Abdulla

  What an interesting little book that presents a lot of information within the span of 60 something pages. Peter Zumthor Starts by answering a common question in architecture "what do we mean when we speak of architectural quality" and his opinion is "architecture does not mean inclusion in architectural guides or histories of architecture or getting my work into this or that publication. Quality architecture to me is when a building manages to move me". which made me think what is my opinion and thoughts towards this question.
  
  Furthermore, He brings up nine points that he takes into consideration while designing a space. I was fascinated by the simplest things that could slip someone's mind can have a large impact and every material used in the construction of a building can represent a feeling toward the user of the space. In his sixth point "Between Composure and Seduction" he says "Architecture is a spatial art, as people always say. But architecture is also a temporal art" and I did think at first that architecture is a spatial art, but this point made me think how it's much more complex and Peter Zumthor explains it as "architecture like music is a temporal art. That means thinking about the way people move in a building".
  
  These are two points that stood out the most to me personally out of many that are mentioned in this book and I think that all points are important when it comes to designing. Architecture is so complex that each person has their own style and points towards design and no one has the right answer. So this what makes it unique is experimentation and seeing what works and what doesn't till the best outcome could be achieved.
• 
  Victoria

  Absolutely wonderful, I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. As an interior designer in the making with a passion for interior spaces and architecture, this book and the ideas Zumthor presented resonate with me. People underestimate the power and importance of atmospheres, it is usually taken for granted. I felt butterflies while reading this, and I am sure I will be re-reading this again.
• 
  Dominique Monticelli

  esse livro me ajudou a não abandonar a faculdade
• 
  sab ◡̈

  read for class.
• 
  María Márquez

  Me ha encantado la manera tan exacta como describe lo que la arquitectura lo hace sentir, por que la ama, y por lo tanto, como debe de ser. Me sentí muy identificada con su forma de concebir como debe de ser la arquitectura "emotiva", que te transporte, que genere un entorno, sentimientos y experiencias.
  Es una filosofía que habla de la arquitectura desde el corazón, y es justo como yo considero que todos deberíamos de diseñar, con el corazón, dejando un poco de nosotros en cada edificio y a su vez, logrando cumplir con el objetivo de satisfacer las necesidades para las que fuimos llamados.
  
  Por último, un punto muy importante con el que me quedo es el de diseñar con razón, a consciencia, y que no se necesite explicar el por qué, ya que, al estar dentro y utilizarlo, se explica solo.
  
  Sin duda lo recomiendo para todos aquellos apasionados de la arquitectura de verdad, de esa que te conmueve, te transporta y emociona.
• 
  Maimona Masarwa

  Very short but its quality is unmeasurable.
  Every sentence is well thought out, and the insight it gives into what architecture is made of is brilliant.
  I have enjoyed it and learned so much of it and I believe that with time I will come to learn and discover a lot of hidden meanings in Peter Zumthor's words.
  It really deserves its acknowledgment as a book every architect must read.
  The layers as I like to call them that he appoints in the book are things we may as architects use in the buildings we design but if we really put them as they ought to be our design would make more sense of what it should be.
  
  Definitely a book I would go to it for guidance along the way to put it to use in whatever I am planning.
  
  Highly recommended to every architect designer artist and sculpturer etc.
  
  
• 
  Sarah Abou Said

  The book is AMAZING! It's a must read for all architects and architectural enthusiasts. The way this book curates different elements that form a certain atmosphere is very easy and quick to read and understand. It's a way of curating an experience, which is a major part of architecture and adding to the surrounding environment. It basically shows Zumthor's approach to creating his works which sets him apart from other architects. To me personally, I would definitely put this guide to use in my project's approach and hopefully find "the proof of the pudding in the eating..."
• 
  Mirian

  Peter Zumthor has a great interest for the quotidian things and when he pays close attention to a specific detail it usually tends to create a great meaning in his analyses - that's where he seeks inspiration. Similar to his previous work Thinking Architecture, this book is able to motivate and to help oneself understand architecture through various perspectives.