For me, every day is a new thing. I approach each project with a new insecurity, almost like the first project I ever did. And I get the sweats. I go in and start working, I'm not sure where I'm going. If I knew where I was going I wouldn't do it.

I hate the word starchitect. Stuff like that comes from mean-spirited, untalented journalists. It's demeaning.

The game is if the orchestra can hear each other, they play better. If they play better and there's a tangible feeling between the orchestra and the audience, if they feel each other, the audience responds and the orchestra feels it.

If you're serious about being an architect, you've got to learn how to take responsibility.

For me, every day is a new thing.

I have always thought that L.A. is a motor city that developed linear downtowns.

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.