Architectural resonance. The Luzi House by Peter Zumthor as an archetype for the synthesis of tradition and innovation in rural areas
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In response to the observation that the majority of our energies are concentrated on the urban landscapes of the world when it comes to housing, it seems urgently necessary to direct the discourse, which has so far been focused on urban areas, to rural areas as well. The Luzi House in Jenaz, Switzerland, designed by Peter Zumthor as a multi-generational house in traditional log construction, can serve as an example of this. It combines environmental compatibility and human needs through techniques based on local tradition, the use of local raw materials and a planning and construction process based on collaborative work. The concept of a multi-generational house also seems to do justice to an understanding of housing that is not only interested in the preservation and regeneration of ecosystems, but also in concepts that utilize the opportunities and potential of demographic change for society, such as the transfer of everyday practices and social skills between young and old. The article aims to illustrate why the Luzi House embodies a connection between past and present, tradition and innovation through its anchoring in the history of the village and the integration of modern sustainability principles, and how Zumthor succeeded not only in staging it as an architectural landmark, but also in making it a symbol of sustainable development and cohesion in rural communities.
Source: Architectus
DOI: 10.37190/arc250104
Author: Hannah Schiefer
Language: English
Subfield: Architecture
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410377992