Exploring the atmosphere in architecture takes us on an intriguing journey through the design principles of Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, whose buildings have been described as "moving."

, started by asking the question of why atmosphere makes architecture so alluring. I then demonstrated this by following Peter Zumthor's rules for creating atmosphere. These are based on an early lecture he gave called "Atmospheres," which outlines how architects can achieve this effect in their buildings. 

Atmosphere is something I strive for when designing anything- as I hope that what I create evokes an emotional response from those inhabiting the space. This is supported by what Peter Zumthor highlights at the beginning of 

We perceive atmosphere through our emotional sensibility- a form of perception that works incredibly quickly, and which we humans evidently need to help us survive.

I had a desire for dynamism and movement in this painting, and for architecture to be represented through a natural landscape; which creates a condition that shows how architecture can be inspired by nature, as atmosphere is so easily created in certain natural conditions. The scene is inspired by places like The Wave and Antelope Canyon in Arizona, and the Marble Caves in Chile. 

The idea is that you have stumbled upon a beautiful cave where it is evident that it was once populated by humans through architecture. I added architecture, inspired by Cliff Palace in Colorado, as a way to contrast nature and architecture- showing how architecture is quite distinct from its natural environment, but we still strive for the same aspects of atmosphere found in the natural world. Although we try to separate ourselves from nature, we also long to be around it as it improves our mental health and happiness. It's also worth noting that art and architecture will be the main indicator of human habitation when all of this is left behind. 

Peter Zumthor talked about a myriad of elements that contribute to the atmosphere of a space (see my recent blog post for the most interesting topics in more detail). The elements I demonstrated in this painting include: 

Inside and outside- it seems so simple, yet the basis of architecture.

 “An unbelievable feeling of concentration when we suddenly become aware of being enclosed, of something enveloping us…where we be many or single.”

 I agree with Zumthor that the feeling of being enclosed is so incredibly profound that one can feel the compression in a short hallway to the release of entering the living space. On an urban scale, it is the sidewalk or alleyway to entering the plaza, where you have this undeniable urge to look up. 

In Echoes of Atmosphere, the composition makes you feel like you are enclosed as the cave walls frame this view, and the release is walking into a space with its own unique atmosphere. 

This chapter focuses on movement as Peter Zumthor describes, 

“Architecture is a spatial art, as people always say. But architecture is also a temporal art.”

 I love this because it acknowledges that architecture, although it seems static and that we aim to make sure it doesn’t move, can allow freedom of movement- which has less to do with directing people and more to do with seducing them.

 Hopefully, this painting catches your eye and lets you imagine what’s around the bend. If you could imagine yourself walking in this space, would you be curious to explore? Of course, the lighting may have something to do with drawing your attention.

In this chapter, Zumthor advises to plan the building as a pure mass of shadow, then afterwards putting in light as if you were hollowing out the darkness. The second idea he liked is to go about lighting 

“materials and surfaces systematically and to look at the way they reflect the light.”

 Choose materials with the knowledge of how they’ll reflect light- and then fit everything together on the basis of that knowledge. 

The lighting makes this space dramatic in a way, and thus alluring, drawing you into the scene.

An idea that really appeals to Zumthor is creating a building that becomes part of its surroundings, something we know as site integration. He thinks about how the building is becoming part of people’s lives,

 “a place where children grow up. And perhaps one of the buildings will come back to them 25 years later, involuntarily, and they’ll remember a corner, a street, a square- with no thought for its architect, but that isn’t the point.”

 This way of thinking about site integration and architecture becoming one with its surroundings transcends the idea of simply being known for creating a building that is revolutionary in some way- ending up as an architectural reference 35 years later. It’s imagining how one’s building will be the place where people will have so many moments, where the building will impact them, or move them. Zumthor describes it as 

“an attempt to conceive of architecture as a human environment.”

is it practical to integrate nature as a part of our cities that aim to separate us from nature? 

Yes, according to Ma Yansong from MAD Architects in Beijing.

I’ve come to admire many of their works- such as the Harbin Opera House, inspired by a snowy mountain where people can climb the building! 

And especially this mountainous skyscraper part of the “Shan Shui City” concept, which aims to reintroduce nature into the urban realm. 

When this skyscraper and project was first proposed, part of Chaoyang Park Plaza, Ma Yansong was asked to modify his design- since it didn’t fit in with the surrounding context, even though his intention was to extend the nature from the park into the city. He asked, 

“why does his building fit the traditional, natural context better than the reality? Maybe there’s something wrong with reality…”

Atmospheric Echoes

I’ve wanted to try oil painting for a while now, curious about its blending abilities and slow drying speed (especially ideal for when you want the paint on the palette to stay wet). I practiced by painting a picture of a flower, and I love this in particular because of the various colours that occupy the background (so I can test as many colours as possible) and the sharp details of the flower in the middle (which allows me to practice realism as well). After finishing this painting, I found that oil paint works really well for me since I focus a lot on details, and the paint is more forgiving, so you’ll probably see more of that in the future!

Pink Flower

Decided to rediscover my roots and paint in watercolor, since this was my first favourite medium. I’ve always considered whales to be beautiful, their graceful movements and gentle personality (for such ginormous creatures) have never ceased to amaze me.

Discovering the Surface

I came up with the idea to create a contrast between the world as we know it now, and world we know existed then. History is incredible, and I wanted to convey what I find incredible about it through this drawing on a single made up street based in the most historical city I know (most notable in the Victorian Era, my year of reference for accuracy- 1888), London, England.

If you notice, every building doesn’t look like it’s from modern day, every modern, recognizable thing we see (like the McDonald’s), has been added to the buildings not from this time. Consider what it must’ve been like when this street was relatively new. What men in hats walked on our sidewalks, what newsboys waved the morning paper in the faces of passersby. What horses and carriages rolled through the cement streets we now use for cars...

It’s fascinating that it only took the passage of time for our world to become so different from what it was; to become a reality that most people living their lives then could never have imagined. They laughed uncontrollably, broke through social norms to give us more freedom, established beautiful feats of architecture to show us it is possible, discovered the aspects of science we consider common knowledge today- but to them it was new. They are the reason for the world we know today... Not only famous people too, regular people, who lived regular lives in search for something new- things now we consider to be old! You gotta appreciate where it all started, so you can be grateful for the world we live in today, another time.

The point of this drawing being on a regular street is to show how there is history, stories from the past, everywhere you look. Like art or architecture that’s travelled through time, to tell the story of the people who lived before us. They were humans, just like us, who lived in such a different world- yet only the time made it different. It’s amazing just how FAR we’ve come! Definitely something to appreciate. ;)

Another Time

My very first Impressionist style painting on a large canvas with Acrylic paints! This is a picture I took when my family and I were leaving Mayne Island B.C. in the morning. It’s worth mentioning that the style of Impressionism is NOT my style at all, solely because it lacks detail (something I am very attentive of)- but I was like what the heck, let’s try something new ;) The style itself was inspired by Claude Monet, who showed me the importance of colour and light in painting, which is its own, vague kind of detail.

Impression, Sunrise

I visited the broadway show in New York City, May 2019, and although half my class was asleep, I thought the musical was quite enjoyable! My first attempt at painting the PlayBill photo was soon after I had come back from my trip, and it was great for a first attempt, but as time went on and my skills developed, I decided to give this one another shot. I’m pleased with how this turned out the second time and the many ways in which I improved the painting from the light, the mask, the rose, etc... The only song I can remember was “Think Of Me Fondly,” the song that basically sums up the love parts of the musical, and I’m fond of it. 

Phantom of the Opera

My first realistic close-up flower painting! I loved painting this flower, focusing on the small details that make it gorgeous in real life. With this one, I tried to convey the beauty I see in such small and delicate aspects of nature, like flowers. They’re so common that sometimes we forget to notice and appreciate their beauty, which we can find in our backyards, always wanting something bigger or better. But if we looked a little closer, we could appreciate the beauty of our surroundings, nature, the people we love, etc... Being thankful for the beauty, warmth, and love we experience in our daily lives without constantly looking at what we don’t have. Because once you start appreciating the little things you can already see and experience in your life, that’s when you know you’re truly living.

Sunset Lily

The final original painting of my 4 seasons painting series! 

Winter Sunrise

Distant glittering water is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of summer, which is something I try to portray here in this summer sunset as the rays meet the mist- even creating a subtle rainbow! Beauty is in the small things. 

Summer Falls

A still life study that challenged me to contrast the vastly different textures of rope and chains. This drawing is still available for sale, reach out if you're interested! 

Rope and Chains

Autumn has always been a time for coziness, with a slight chill in the air. The clouds provide that atmosphere while giving the impression that winter is coming as you gaze upon a breathtaking forest of colourful trees. 

DJ