"Give much hope to young professionals that, if they strive for quality in their work, it might become visible without any special promotion."
Today marks the birth of Peter Zumthor, one of my most favorite architects. Born in Basel Switzerland and studied at Kunstgewerbeschule Basel. He started his career by learning as a master cabinet maker from his father. His father said " how to be exacting and uncompromising". Up until know Zumthor still sticks with those words.
The first time I encountered with Zumthor works was in 2006, when I took a class for publication design. My love and interest to architect has always been in my hearth. I had been dreaming to be an architect. I designed a special travel magazine focusing in visiting landmark architectures. I am lucky enough to find a very good website for people who are interested to visit landmark architectures.
The first sight of the Thermal Baths Vals touched my heart. I right away wanted to fly away to Switzerland. Thermal Baths whispered me to touch, smell and hear. It's very welcoming building. The building and nature blends well together. I was wondering who was the architect behind this magnificent building. Very minimalist and geometric building attracted me. It reminded me of Les Cobusier. Zumthor mentioned that he was inspired by Richard Serra, Walter De Maria and Michael Heizer, and Joseph Beuys.
He described his building as the "beautiful silence that I associate with attributes such as composure, self-evidence, durability, presence and integrity, and with warmth and sensuousness as well.” In 2009 Peter Zumthor won the Pritzker Prize award. If you are in London area between 1 July - 16 October 2011, you can visit Serpentine Gallery, where Peter Zumthor commissioned in the gallery's annual series.
I hope I would have a chance to go to London in this summer. Definitely his buildings become my destination before I die. These are example of his works. Courtesy to Thermal Baths Vals and Hélène Binet pictures.
I wish Peter Zumthor happy birthday and in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.