This project studied Peter Zumthor’s Zinc Mine Museum. Zumthor was commissioned to revamp the already existing zinc mines. He developed simplistic buildings “inspired by the mining operation […] and the workers’ strenuous everyday lives” (ArchDaily). Laminated wood holds the main structure. The all-black exterior and interior resemble a gallery and does not take away from the site.
Students were asked to recreate their precedent study in Rhino. Below is a worms-eye axon of one of the structures of the Zinc Mine Museum (right image; pictured above).
After studying the precedent, students examined Nick Cave’s sound suits. I chose to study Cave’s Soundsuit #2. My goal was to produce a similar design but add color to bring the building to life. I removed most of the laminated wood stilts and use a large pillar whose curvature mimicked that of Soundsuit #2, creating a playful, dancing-like structural system.
