I have a recurring nightmare that I wake up in a gutter with nothing. I've had it all my life. That's why I work, I think.

My favourite authors include Trollope and Dickens.

Building your own home is about desire, fantasy. But it's achievable; anyone can do it.

I spend a frightening amount of money on books.

It's possible to be satisfied with a day's work or a cake, but a life... what is a life but a history of events badly remembered?

I'm terribly fastidious. I like symmetry and neatness, but my house is as chaotic as any other family's.

Building design isn't trendy.