Zumthor’s Bruder Klaus Field Chapel (2007) is a wonderful example of a delicate process of consideration, ‘every touch, every join, every joint is there in order to reinforce the idea of the quiet presence of the work.’ The chapel was built by farmers wanting to honour their local saint. It was constructed by forming a conical shape of trees, wrapping the geometry in oblong form-work and then pouring concrete over them. Once the concrete had set the timber was burnt out in order to leave an enigmatic charred grey wedge open to the skies. The mysterious mass externally has a solitary funereal quality and internally a womb-like cave. Gazing upwards from the quiet interior the open iris at the crest glows like the sun, fingers of gold trace downwards and pick out the cast lead floor, whilst the undulating charcoal walls shimmer, pierced by the glazed apertures left by removed ties. Zumthor notes ‘if a work of architecture consists of forms and contents which combine to create a strong fundamental mood that is powerful enough to affect us, it may possess the qualities of a work of art. This art has, however, nothing to do with interesting configurations or originality. It is concerned with insights and understanding, and above all with truth’. This is an explicit space for silent contemplation through the use of an evocative palette directly connecting the solid with the ephemeral order of things. It is a meditative device or memory machine, one which endeavours to facilitate a ponderous internal dialogue.