Peter Zumthor's Bruder Klaus Field Chapel Through the Lens of Aldo Amoretti
The Bruder Klaus Field Chapel by Peter Zumthor, completed in 2007, is known for its beautiful respect for the materials which were used to construct the sensuous space. The interior of the chapel is a black cavity left behind by 112 tree trunks burnt out of the cast concrete walls. Twenty-four layers of concrete were poured into a frame surrounding the trunks, stacked in a curved conical form, forming a stark contrast to the comparatively smooth angular façade. After removing the frame, many small holes were left behind in the walls, creating an effect reminiscent of the night sky. The chapel’s "beautiful silence" and undeniable connection to its surrounding landscape make it an evocative and popular destination for many.
In this photo series, architecture photographer Aldo Amoretti captures the dramatic relationship between the Bruder Klaus Field Chapel and its natural environment. Despite its concrete surface and straight edges, the chapel doesn’t stand out as brutal. Instead, the images depict a visual manifestation of Zumthor’s words: architecture with "composure, self-evidence, durability, presence, and integrity, and with warmth and sensuousness as well."
© Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner 
© Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner 
© Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner 
© Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner 
© Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner 
© Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner 
© Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner 
© Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner 
© Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner 
© Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner 
© Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner 
© Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner 