That's why you go into architecture - at least I did - to do things for people. I think most of us are idealists. You start out that way, anyway.

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.

Creativity is about play and a kind of willingness to go with your intuition. It's crucial to an artist. If you know where you are going and what you are going to do, why do it? I think I learned that from the artists, from my grandmother, from all the creative people I've spent time with over the years.

Childhood play is nothing more than an expression of our individuality and preparation for human interaction.

I work from the inside out.

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

You have to be optimistic. I still have doubts and conflicts, but the bottom line is, I believe in the future.