Dezeen Magazine

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois

Architect Peter Zumthor designed this memorial on an island in Norway to commemorate suspected witches who were burned at the stake there in the seventeenth century (photographs by Andrew Meredith).

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois

The Steilneset Memorial in Vardø comprises two structures, one conceived entirely by Zumthor and a second housing an installation by the late Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010).

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois

The first structure comprises a pine scaffolding framework, inside which is a suspended fabric cocoon containing a long oak-floored corridor.

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois

Inside this corridor, light bulbs hang behind 91 windows to represent each of the men and women that were put to death during the witch trials.

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois

A plaque accompanies each lamp to record the individual stories of every victim.

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois

The installation by Bourgeois, entitled The Damned, The Possessed and The Beloved, occupies the smoked-glass-clad second structure.

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois

A circle of mirrors within surround and reflect a flaming steel chair inside a hollow concrete cone.

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois

This year Zumthor also completed the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London and designed a holiday home for Devon, England, that will complete next year.

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois

See all our stories about Peter Zumthor here.

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois

You can also read about more projects from Norway by clicking here.

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois

Photography is provided c/o Icon Magazine.

Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois
Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois
Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois
Steilneset Memorial by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois