Werkraum House by Peter Zumthor opens in Bregenzerwald, Austria
The Werkraum House, in the small village of Andelsbuch, is the latest addition to Swiss Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor's carefully composed portfolio of work; and, with his known love of crafts, it will come as no surprise.
Zumthor has a long-standing relationship with Werkraum, the crafts and trade association in Austria's leafy Bregenzwald region. The association counts 80 makers, builders and artisans - from brick-workers, upholsterers and painters, to cabinet-makers, metal workers, cobblers, carpenters and floor-layers - in its membership register.
Zumthor's contact with Werkraum started in the early 1990s, while he was working on the Kunsthaus in nearby Bregenz. 'Ever since that, he kept in touch with our craftspeople', recalls Werkraum CEO Renate Breuss. 'As a trained cabinet maker himself he was so moved by the passion and ideas behind our association that he offered to design the building in 2008.'
Now completed, the timber and concrete building combines a contemporary, minimalist design with the area's centuries-old local traditions. The relatively modestly-shaped low structure features a striking, large wooden roof and generous, glass-enclosed exhibition spaces. Equipped with offices, seminar and meeting rooms and display areas, it was designed in painstaking detail to provide a much needed space for the association's activities and also to act as a platform for promoting the work and value of local crafts.
'The building was conceived as a showcase and a meeting point for the crafts', says Breuss. 'The result reflects our values and suits our purpose very well - to be a meeting point for the people of the valley and for people from abroad, for crafts and culture. Zumthor brings together the rural context with the world, the local qualities and spirits with the international.'
The recently opened Werkraum House has also launched its first exhibition – which runs until 5 October – where its 80 members will each present one piece that highlights their approach.
ADDRESS
Werkraum Bregenzerwald
Hof 800
A-6866 Andelsbuch
Austria
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Molly Goddard on creating a community of contemporary brides
As new Molly Goddard bridal wear is released, the designer talks about creating romantic but real wedding dresses, while three recent brides tell the stories behind their own Goddard gowns
By Jack Moss Published
-
Palazzo Roma embodies the heritage of Roman noblesse
Palazzo Roma, part of the Shedir Collection, boasts eclectic and eccentric interiors by Giampiero Panepinto
By Luke Abrahams Published
-
Boise Passive House’s bold gestures support an environmentally friendly design
Boise Passive House by Haas Architecture combines sleek, contemporary design and environmental efficiency
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
We tour the construction site of Peter Zumthor’s De Meelfabriek in Amsterdam
Peter Zumthor, Studio Akkerhuis, LOLA and Piet Oudolf come together to breathe new life into the listed monument of the De Meelfabriek in the Netherlands, at the same time revitilising a whole neighbourhood through architecture in Leiden
By Yoko Choy Last updated
-
Peter Zumthor’s Devon villa shortlisted for RIBA House of the Year
Inspired by Andrea Palladio, the ‘Secular Retreat’ by Atelier Peter Zumthor with Mole Architects is a modern holiday home described by the RIBA House of the Year judges as a ‘powerful object in the landscape’
By Bethan Ryder Last updated
-
Touching the void: Peter Zumthor’s tribute to Norway’s mining past
By Jonathan Bell Last updated
-
Inside architect Peter Zumthor’s wooden holiday home in the Swiss Alps
By Emma O'Kelly Last updated
-
Dark arts: Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois’ brooding Steilneset memorial
By Jonathan Bell Published