AD Classics: Saint Benedict Chapel / Peter Zumthor

The Saint Benedict Chapel, located in the village of Sumvitg, Graubünden, was designed by the Pritzker Prize Laureate Peter Zumthor in 1988. The modest, human-scaled exterior of the chapel encapsulates the beauty and simplicity of Zumthor’s works, while the interior showcases his unparalleled craftsmanship.

Floor plan

The chapel was constructed in the small village of Sumvitg following a 1984 avalanche that destroyed the baroque-style chapel of the village. The hillside site for the new chapel, which provides breathtaking mountainous views, is protected from future avalanches by a surrounding forest.

AD Classics: Saint Benedict Chapel / Peter Zumthor - Image 2 of 26
Courtesy of Felipe Camus

In an interview with The New York Times, Zumthor once explained his process: "When I start, my first idea for a building is with the material. I believe architecture is about that. It's not about paper, it's not about forms. It's about space and material.” [1] 

AD Classics: Saint Benedict Chapel / Peter Zumthor - Image 14 of 26
Courtesy of Felipe Camus

Although Zumthor used modern materials and techniques for this particular design, the cylindar-shaped chapel blends naturally into its context, without offending the traditional and historical dimension of the Alpine village. For example, the chapel is constructed with wooden shingles and snips, similar to the local traditional houses. 

AD Classics: Saint Benedict Chapel / Peter Zumthor - Image 8 of 26
Courtesy of Felipe Camus

The roof of the chapel is reminiscent of the hull of a boat. Mediating between the expressive roof and the more traditional, wooden base below, is an elegant, minimal solution: a ring of vertical wood columns and glass panels that crown the chapel, allowing natural light to penetrate the interior space.

AD Classics: Saint Benedict Chapel / Peter Zumthor - Beam
Courtesy of Felipe Camus

The single interior space contains minimalist wooden columns, beams and benches, showcasing Zumthor’s craftsmanship and his delicate approach to material and details. 

AD Classics: Saint Benedict Chapel / Peter Zumthor - Table, Bench
Courtesy of Felipe Camus

 [1] Pogrebin, Robin: Pritzker Prize goes to Peter Zumthor. Published in the New York Times on April 12th, 2009

Sumvitg, Switzerland
  • Architects: Peter Zumthor
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  1988
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Felipe Camus


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Project location

Address:Sumvitg, Switzerland

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Cite: Gili Merin. "AD Classics: Saint Benedict Chapel / Peter Zumthor" 25 Aug 2013. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/418996/ad-classics-saint-benedict-chapel-peter-zumthor> ISSN 0719-8884

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