Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor describes the structures he designed to protect ancient Roman ruins excavated in Chur, Switzerland.
"In the 4th century AD, Chur was the Roman capital of the province of Curia – hence the name Chur. The Romans inhabited the area now called the Welschdörfli (French-speaking Swiss village), Chur's small amusement strip just off the historic town centre, where, it is said, people still spoke Churerwelsch though the people in town were already speaking German.
"Archaeological excavations in this area have uncovered a complete Roman quarter.
The protective structures – wind-permeable wooden enclosures – follow the outer walls of three adjacent Roman buildings (only a small part of one of these was excavated). The site's display cases along the street skirt the protruding foundations of the former house entrances.
A wall painting was found lying on the floor of the larger building. Restored and returned to its original position, it gives an impression of the probable height of the single-storey houses.
"The charred remains of a wooden floor at the back of the larger building are from Roman times."
~Peter Zumthor, 2009 Pritzker Prize Laureate
"In the 4th century AD, Chur was the Roman capital of the province of Curia – hence the name Chur. The Romans inhabited the area now called the Welschdörfli (French-speaking Swiss village), Chur's small amusement strip just off the historic town centre, where, it is said, people still spoke Churerwelsch though the people in town were already speaking German.
"Archaeological excavations in this area have uncovered a complete Roman quarter.
The protective structures – wind-permeable wooden enclosures – follow the outer walls of three adjacent Roman buildings (only a small part of one of these was excavated). The site's display cases along the street skirt the protruding foundations of the former house entrances.
A wall painting was found lying on the floor of the larger building. Restored and returned to its original position, it gives an impression of the probable height of the single-storey houses.
"The charred remains of a wooden floor at the back of the larger building are from Roman times."
~Peter Zumthor, 2009 Pritzker Prize Laureate
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