Art in architecture

All good things come in threes …

Decorations for three wooden houses in Leis/Vals, Graubünden,Switzerland, 2008-2015
Architecture Peter Zumthor
www.zumthorferienhaeuser.ch

At the beginning of 2008, I received the commission from Peter and Annalisa Zumthor to design an ornament for the planned Oberhus that draws on the tradition of wood carving and ornamentation of Graubünden houses, modernizing it without directly referencing architecture.

Keywords that accompanied me:
Roof, support/carrying, protection, visit, encounters, openness, communication, mobility, poetry, hiking, trail, nature, rhythm, tranquility, harmony, landscape, color, tradition, oxblood, berry fruitred

A challenge that I really liked but that also gave me a headache; because the tradition of the Graubünden houses suggested an indentation in the material, a carving that would have damaged the wooden surface of the house. My discomfort only dissipated when Irealized that the decoration must stand out from the wood, like the dissipated when Irealized that the decoration must stand out from the wood, like the large window openings that protrude like drawers. Comparing the house to a highpressure rod was a thought that wouldn't leave me. The triangular shapes echo the beautiful, relatively flat stone roofs. The arrangement of the equally sized, yet differently tilted triangles forms a rhythmically structured ornamental band that winds along a beam on the front side of the house, around the corner, up to thefront door. The triangles and this house for Annalisa Zumthor naturally demanded the color red.

Implementation:
The wooden beams had to be significantly thicker because the triangles were carved out of them by hand. Only then could they be joined together with the other beams.

After the first house was built, a second house was planned, the Unterhus. There should also be a typical decoration there.
This time, I wanted to send triangles around the house like a breezeor a good spirit. The triangles were painted a light blue.

A few years later, the Türmlihus was added as a guesthouse. The comings and goings are captured in an arrangement that mirrors from the front to both sides. The triangles emphasize the ensembleof houses, while the formation and colors highlight the individuality of the houses.

 

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