Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeios

Vardo, Norway

(In Progress)

A study of Peter Zumthor’s systems:

(1) wood pieces form orthogonal shape and are repeated 60 times (spaced evenly)

(2a) fabric attachment is fastened to wood pieces via metal wire

(2b) fabric attachment has white exterior and black interior

(3) entrance and exits are ramps–> certain way to circulate the structure

Zumthor started with paintings and sculpture then immediately began model making.

My interpretation of his process is beginning with elements of fine art then easing into architecture.

I wanted to understand the simpler system of the wood exoskeleton before I could go into depth into a light study of the fabric system.

I re-did the plan and sections into a more detailed and more accurate drawing. While making the new drawing, I realized that the system of assembly was more complex than I initially realized. There were more wooden pieces for support, and the pieces are not fastened to fit into each other. The heights of the windows are completely random, but however are meant to follow the circulation of the structure. I discovered that I want to explore how the materials meet; I am specifically interested in how the wooden pieces are connected, how the wire cables join the wooden structure and the fabric system, and how the entire piece meets the ground plane.

For the glass box that houses Louise Bourgeois’ piece, I decided to understand the structure by drawing it in deconstruction to get a better understanding of the relationship between the materials.

I drew a cross section of the wooden structure, and began exploring the relationships between materials in the glass box structure.

There are 3 systems in the wooden/ fabric structure, while there are 2 systems in the glass box structure.

Wooden structure with fabric tube:

• System A: Wooden structure is assembled similar to the way scaffolding is assembled.
• System B: Fabric structure is loosely hung up in different sections, then each fabric piece is connected and then attached tightly into the wooden frame via hardware and steel wires.
• System C: Wooden planks attached to the structure for circulation. There is only one entrance and one exit, which leads into the glass box.
• 

Glass Box:

• System A: Orthogonal steel frame rooted into ground
• System B: Glass panels that never touch the ground plane nor the ceiling; they are slightly turned at an angle

Midterm Review, Final Drawings: