When I think of a place of worship, I think of a place where one can sit and be reminded of all the things that are important outside our individual lives. To express spirituality, the architect has to think of the original material of architecture, space and light.

We look at each one [project] and consider the context - what it is and what it can be - beyond the strictly functional concerns.

We think about project's public nature and how that can be enhanced, how the spaces we create can enliven the experience of being there.

An important work of architecture will create polemics.

I was in Taiwan recently and was completely amazed by the density of population. It makes New York look like no one is out on the streets.

You can't escape the influence of architectural history.

To be an architect has been a life-long dream. Little did I know when asked at the age of 14 'what do you want to do when you grow up?' I said I wanted to be an architect. After 50 years I am still learning all what that means. Working together with so many people has been enormously gratifying. Being an architect means being a member of a fantastic team.