An exhibition centre for contemporary art designed to connect the city life of Bregenz from all sides. From the outside, Kunsthaus Bregenz by Peter Zumthor looks like a lamp. "It absorbs the changing light of the sky, the haze of the lake, it reflects light and textures giving an intimation of its inner life according to the angle of vision, the daylight and the weather."1
The sheer simplicity with which the Zumthor team designed the tectonics of this building embarked us on an investigation under the guidance of Randy Jefferson AIA to articulate the Kunsthaus building envelope and diagrammatically showcase the relationship existing between its facade and the underlying primary structural systems.
Done in collaboration with Arnar Skarphéðinsson and Rakshith Raghu.
The more we peeled off the Kunsthaus panelization and assembly by visualizing its fabrication methods and construction techniques, the more we appreciated the team behind the Zumthor's face.
The glass façade of the Kunsthaus confers an integral component of the building's lighting system. Apart from being weatherproof and seismically independent, The 712 panels of etched glass, each 1.72 × 2.93 m, absorb the sky's changing light, filter it, and guide it into the building's various levels. Refracted three times (glass façade, double glazing, daylight ceiling), the daylight illuminates the exhibition spaces with varying intensity, depending on the time of day and season.
The images below showcase our digital fabrication of the Kunsthaus along with the technical construction details.
@SciArc. @Atelier Peter Zumthor
Scope of work
Unpacking Assemblies I Envelopes (façade, roof, windows, balconies, skylights) I Interior (walls, partitions, floors, ceiling at the interior of the facade) I Structure (Attachment/Joinery System) I Panelization I Technical Limitations I Primary structure I Seismic and Lateral components I Secondary structure I Tertiary structure
Media and softwares
Rhinoceros 3D, illustrator, photoshop, Indesign
Professors Guidance
Randy Jefferson AIA (Arthur Erickson Architects (1972-1984), Langdon Wilson Architects (1984-1992) and Gehry Partners (1992-2004)
TECTONICS AND MATERIALS
BEFORE: KUNSTHAUS TECTONICS
Isometric section cut
AFTER: RE-INVENTED BUILDING ENVELOPE
Isometric section cut
All content of these drawings remain the sole property of Ar Raunak, Arnar Skarphedinsson, Rakshith Raghu and may not be used or reproduce without consent.
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