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Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron are among the very few architects whose
work can be interpreted as an effort to regain architecture’s original grounds.
They believe that although a certain concept and preliminary design must always
be used, architecture “builds itself”, and by having an open mind during the
creation of a building, you can capture the true meaning behind the structure.
They believe that architecture is a journey, a discovery, into the fundamental
nature of the building. Herzog and de Meuron are probably two of the most
celebrated practitioners of minimalism in the world.
The works of Herzog & de
Meuron are characterized by several different principles and, for example one
common characteristic is the application of repetition as a design principle.
With Herzog & de Meuron repetition is an instrument, which permits the design of
a space, in which differential intensities can be expressed.
For example, in the
Ricola Factory and Warehouse, there is repetition in the use of the translucent
polycarbonate on the front and back façade. An even closer look shows the
repetition on these polycarbonate squares of a serigraphed deign of a plant
leaf, not only extending along the walls, but under the overhanging canopy, the
interior, and the exterior landscape as well.
“Herzog and de Meuron work with
geometrically clearly defined volumes, which through the polyvalence of their
surfaces alternate between lightness and transparency on the one hand, density
and heaviness on the other” (Vitruvio.ch, 2).
In the Dominius Winery in
Yountville, California, 1997 the simple concrete building for storing the wine
is clad in the dark local stone graded to generate several densities in the
facade. Some of the stones are open in texture, others dense and concealing.
Another example of these architects' interest in the intricately worked building
shell is the project for a Greek Orthodox Church in Zurich.
Here a
semi-transparent glass box surrounds several inner glass boxes with an interior
effect marked by the gilt icon prints that cover the whole of the walls.
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