In Europe, architects consider themselves artists. They think they're special when they win a competition.

I find if my body feels well and I exercise regularly, I think better, work better and feel better.

It's my goal to make a building as immaterial as possible. Architecture is a very material thing. It takes a lot of resources, so why not eliminate what you don't need as long as you're able to achieve the same result?

German and English firms operate internationally, while French firms do not. The only place where they all have work is in China. Anybody can sell himself in China!

Creativity has more to do with the elimination of the inessential than with inventing something new.

Critics are entitled to have an opinion, but how can they judge how comfortable a building is? No critic is smart enough to judge how a building will perform over time.

Chinese buildings are like American buildings, with big footprints. People don't care about daylight or fresh air.