This book, whose first edition has been out of print for years, has been expanded to include three new essays: "Does Beauty Have a Form?,” "The Magic of the Real,” and "Light in the Landscape.” It has been freshly illustrated throughout with new color photographs of Zumthor’s new home and studio in Haldenstein, taken specially for this edition by Laura Padgett, and received a new typography by Hannele Grönlund.

In nine short, illustrated chapters framed as a process of self-observation, Peter Zumthor describes what he has on his mind as he sets about creating the atmosphere of his houses. Images of spaces and buildings that affect him are every bit as important as particular pieces of music or books that inspire him. From the composition and "presence” of the materials to the handling of proportions and the effect of light, this poetics of architecture enables the reader to recapitulate what really matters in the process of house design.

Dans cet ouvrage comportant neuf courts chapitres illustrés, il raconte – sous forme d’auto-analyse – ce qu’il a à l’esprit lorsqu’il cherche à créer l’atmosphère de ses maisons. Ce sont des images d’espaces et de constructions qui le touchent, aussi bien que certains morceaux de musique ou encore des livres. Cette poétique de l’architecture née de la composition et de la « présence » des matériaux, du jeu des proportions et des effets de lumière permet au lecteur de saisir la quintessence de tout processus de conception.