In the end, the character of a civilization is encased in its structures.

We live and work in boxes. People don't even notice that.

When I start my class I ask the students to write their signatures on pieces of paper and put them on a table. I have them look at them, and I point out, "They're all different, aren't they? That's you, that's you, that's you, that's you."

I think you've got to accept that certain things are in process that you can't change, that you can't overwhelm. The chaos of our cities, the randomness of our lives, the unpredictability of where you're going to be in ten years from now - all of those things are weighing on us, and yet there is a certain glimmer of control. If you act a certain way, and talk a certain way, you're going to draw certain forces to you.

I promised a lot of people I'd slow down when I turned 80.

The thing is, I hate the celebrity architect thing. I just do my work.

Those who say only artists and architects can create are the ones who are elitist.