I found myself starting architecture with a deep social, Jewish, liberal conscience, and the belief that architecture is for the people. It was a do-gooder base; I was born and raised that way. I was for blacks, whites, Italians, Poles, whatever.

Ideas exist in the marketplace; they are thrown out for everyone to use.

I didn't have any interest in doing rich people's homes. I still don't.

Everyone has a desire, if not a need, to use their individual signatures. Whenever people meet to talk about a project, even stuffy old businessmen, they say they want to create something new.

One of my greatest influences is the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

I refuse to work unless I get paid, so I don't get a lot of work sometimes.

I don't know whose box I'm in, and I don't really care.