There are people who design buildings that are not technically and financially good, and there are those who do. Two categories - simple.

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.

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

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.

That's what you have to find in architecture. You have to find your signature. When you find it, you're the only expert on it. People can say they like it or don't like it. They can argue about it, but it's yours.

When I was a child I could do math and art, so I had left- and right-brain capabilities. But I've seen my children, who are more right-brained, struggling. My son was told he wouldn't make it to college, but he dogged it through and ended up being accepted by 10 major art schools after the high school advisor said, "Please don't apply. You're going to be disappointed." That kid's an artist now.

I am just relating to the world we live in. I see some order in it, even though it looks like mush.