Building your own house is a primal urge, one of those universal genetic drives like the need to provide for your family.

I spend a frightening amount of money on books.

I don't enjoy living in a white box flooded with light. I like shadows, small spaces, old furniture.

The thing that I champion is sustainability. My terror is that suddenly we see it as a luxury, not an essential. That's a danger.

I've forgiven all my enemies - even those who have stolen money from me.

Awesome is loud but awe is quiet.

I don't look at what people do with their homes in terms of money, but the social and personal value of what they're trying to do and achieve.