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.

I don't make things with my hands, although I studied woodworking and made furniture.

Green issues have been used as a marketing tool. Sometimes these green claims are completely meaningless.

Computers allow architects to remain parental instead of being marginalized by the contractors and managers.

There's a drive in us to express ourselves in some way or form. We pick up whatever material is available. It's primitive. Kids see sand on the beach, build something and show their parents: "Look what I did, Mama." It's necessary to us.

People live and work in uninspiring environments, but look inside those rooms. Look at the painted walls and the decorations. People rebel even in the most controlled office environment in which they're not allowed to do anything. You see the little bulletin board in front of a person's desk with their photos, clippings, cartoons and whatever else.

Each project, I suffer like I'm starting over again in life. There's a lot of healthy insecurity that fuels this stuff.