The Architect
Interview with Caesar Zumthor
Successful, renowned, first-rate architect and design expert Caesar Zumthor lives in the heart of Switzerland.
Somehow everything about Caesar Zumthor is grandiose: his first name, the title used by Roman emperors, and his surname, shared with Peter Zumthor, the late-blooming architect and laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, and made famous by his trend-setting thermal baths in Vals in the Swiss Alps. And then there’s his imposing height at 6’3” (1.95 m), at which he towers above most of his contemporaries, as well as his signature tousled hair, dark glasses and black clothes that give him a distinctive and elegant look. In this interview, the creative maker reveals his thoughts on the modern kitchen.
WHAT DOES THE PERFECT KITCHEN SPACE LOOK LIKE?
Caesar Zumthor: It should reflect the social aspects that are important to coexistence today. For us, it fulfils a lot of requirements, as many things that used to take place in the living room have now shifted to the kitchen, The perfect room is a hybrid of reliable functionality and its ability to become an informal setting for when you’re planning your holidays, listening to your kids’ stories about their experiences in school or simply having a conversation.
HOW DO YOU CREATE EMOTIONALLY CHARGED SPACES?
Caesar Zumthor: Here, light and acoustics play a key role, So, window placement and where the rooms are in relation to each other, as well as the choice of materials and how they absorb sound. But you can’t forget about the personal experiences that the owner adapts from their holidays, for example.
WHICH MATERIALS FOR WHICH AMBIENCE?
Caesar Zumthor: If I want to introduce peace and clarity into a room and ground myself, then I tend to use authentic materials that are related to each other in the natural ecosystem. But putting natural materials like woods next to plastics can also make for interesting combinations or contrast.
WHAT ROLE DO DETAILS PLAY IN MINIMALISTS ARCHITECTURE?
Caesar Zumthor: They come even more to the forefront and become even more important. A lot of work goes into them, even if we try to make them look simple. For example, the transition from kitchen units to the floor. Or from wall to ceiling. Planning these details in a conscientious way means the architecture transitions into a conscientious space that surrounds its occupants in their day-to-day lives.
HOW DO I FIND OUT WHAT INTERIOR DESIGN SUITS ME?
Caesar Zumthor: Go through life with an open mindset, explore, experiment, collect experiences – and then work with a pro to find a solution.
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You can read the full-length interview in our journal.
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