Further Reading features relevant articles, readings, and videos that some of us wished we had come across earlier to help us with school. We welcome submissions at bridge@waterlooarchitecture.com
“Thinking Architecture” by Peter Zumthor is a thin book in which the Swiss, Pritzker Prize winning architect speaks candidly about his approach to architecture. It was first recommended to me by a good friend at school, then given to me as a gift by another good friend, and it was not until recently that I finished reading it.
Zumthor is cautiously critical of many of the current approaches to making architecture and continues by, in essence, teaching the reader an alternate approach to the process of design. At times, the book deviates from the discussion of architecture and becomes more anecdotal. This is telling of his approach as he incorporates his own stories and experiences into his designs. The writing throughout the book is clear, well organized, and candid. Zumthor offers some elementary tips on tackling the design of buildings (and furniture) that we may not necessarily pick up at school. The purpose of these posts is not to critique the readings so I will stop before I type up a summary and give away the ending (there isn’t one), or talk about how I “feel” about the work (pretty good). I just felt like a wise old man was giving me some solid advice on.. architecture. Which he is.
I would highly recommend the book if you have not read it, it will give you something to chew on about your previous work, the works of others, and how you want to shape your future body of work.
A copy of the “Thinking Architecture” is available at our library, or if you wish to purchase your own copy to vandalize (underline and write notes in) it is also available on Amazon. The library copy is probably also underlined.
Note that some editions may be blue, or brown.
