Sometimes I lose a whole morning waiting on journalists and other people who look for me. But I always find some time for reading, talking to my friends and feeling what is happening in this world.

We need to feel that life is important; we need that fantasy so we can live a little better.

Curves are the essence of my work because they are the essence of Brazil, pure and simple.

I had some good opportunities. I was lucky to have had the chance to do things differently. Architecture is about surprise.

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

I enter my studio at 9 a.m. I have lunch here, I return right away to my work and I go out to dinner at 8 p.m. My daily tasks vary very much.

In architecture it isn't enough to just have the right building that works well. It can also be beautiful. It can also be different. It can create surprise. And surprise is the main thing in a work of art. [] I like and respect Brasí­lia very much. It is a simple city, a rational one. I always defend the urban design of Brasí­lia