Peter Thomann

Roofs made of air cushions, bathrooms in blue steel tanks, greenhouses as winter gardens – the world of Swiss architect Peter Thomann is eclectic, colorful, and full of experiments. Buildings of almost overwhelming complexity create their own inspiring living landscapes. The complicated simplicity of the architectural solutions, the model of the architect-builder, as well as the focus on a single project and years of engagement with it characterize his work. Born in Winterthur in 1935, Thomann continues to live and work in Adliswil near Zurich, where most of his fascinating buildings are located along a single street.

Thomann's designs are as unexpected as they are striking in the Swiss context, yet his work has largely remained undiscovered. In this book, Alexandre Theriot and Stéphanie Bru, known for their independent architectural approach as Bruther, together with Blanka Major, illuminate the multifaceted cosmos of the architect. The focus is on the visual: extensive professional and private archival materials are complemented by current photographs from three different perspectives. An introduction and four conversations with Peter Thomann deepen the insight into his thinking and his unique architectural stance.