The architect's role is to fight for a better world, where he can produce an architecture that serves everyone and not just a group of privileged people.

Of course, I have given my engineers some headaches over the years, but they go with me. I have always wanted my buildings to be as light as possible, to touch the ground gently, to swoop and soar, and to surprise.

We have to have dreams, even if they never come true.

The rule is the worst thing. You just want to break it.

I think of myself as no more than 60. What I could do at 60, I can still do now.

My ambition has always been to reduce a building's support to a minimum. The more we diminish supporting structures, the more audacious and important the architecture is. That has been my life's work.

The challenge of a cathedral is very good for architectural inventiveness.