A matter of light.

Luminosity in this case is achieved much more directly as if the main point was to embrace as much of natural light as possible in all different compartments of the building. Changing the physical aspect and the proportions of the intake plane as well as its position (from horizontal to vertical), there is also an intention with the inner material to reflect as much of this exterior lighting.      

 

There are some instances in architecture in which brightness is needed evenly spread inside the rooms regardless the time of the day or the year, being an ingenious decision to achieve it with daylight instead of installing any technical solution. It is essential to mention that this situation would not have been successfully accomplished without taking into consideration light and matter as the main elements that form part of the same bundle.  

 

Light diffusion in the inside is achieved by Peter Zumthor by using as facade material a layer of etched glass shingles that distributes light in an equal manner all throughout the space. The way in which the envelope screen shines against the light gives the surface a velvet-like visual texture. No matter in which direction lights is projected into the vertical plane of the facade that this one would turn it horizontal while penetrating into the space. The combination of the translucent layer of the facade together with the polished concrete finishing of the interior makes the softness of the skin continuous all throughout the compartment. Light is spread and diffused to all its extent towards the inside once it passes the building skin. “The daylight entering from the sides gives shape and texture to the spaces; and the viewer senses the orientation, the position of the sun the time of the day”, explains Peter Zumthor.

 

Proper views to the outside are not feasible through the etched glass, meaning that those are not needed in this particular case study. However, from the exterior, an intuition of the inner life can be presumed according to the angle of the vision, the daylight and the weather. Zumthor has now transformed technical and rational solutions into sensual situations.