An Analysis of Peter Zumthor’s Architecture Based on Regionalism

Abstract

This paper attempts to understand regionalism in contemporary architecture, which tries to revive various interests in reproduction and the identity of the region, and to confirm the possibility through Peter Zumthor's work. Peter Zumthor's architecture creates a prosperous atmosphere via a profound understanding of the site's placeness. By contemplating the appropriate material and devising a combination method, detail, and construction method that can honestly express the essence of each material, it strongly reveals the tectonic aspect, the contemporary trend of regionalism architecture. Based on the analysis of Peter Zumthor's works from the viewpoint of regionalism to find the common elements of regionalism in contemporary architecture, it was investigated that critical regionalism is the basis of a regenerative regionalism that analyses and reflects the elements of placeness, tectonic, and tactility. In contemporary regionalism, it was recognized that the value of democratic production-reproduction, which is a regenerative regionalism’s characteristics, tends to increase with placeness, tectonic, and tactility, and this fits well with the trend of contemporary architecture toward sustainable architecture.