Johannes Saurer Architekt BSA (Thun)

Design is always a process of searching, searching from place and situation, searching with common sense for elementary, ordinary solutions. Among my essential principles is the attempt to leave out everything that is unessential; this includes preconceived opinions as well as wasteful methods in the practice of architecture. I am principally concerned with economy, controlled by reason. Economics in all endeavors means (according to Segal): Every effort should be used where it becomes most effective.

In architecture this means that one should concentrate on the mental component of the design. In construction, it means using the highest quality materials where they are most useful, and calculating everything accurately in advance to avoid waste.

The designer's eye is not trained to follow, it acts instinctively. I instinctively try to design by the look and trust the eyes. It animates me to develop solutions that eventually lead to different building methods than the ones I am used to - and to different houses. Building with minimal use of materials and experimenting with light and shadow are of particular interest to me, and the environment is always part of the building. The buildings should radiate something lively, sketchy, unnecessary refinement is avoided.