Look at London or Paris: they're both filthy. You don't get that in Tokyo. The proud residents look after their city.

I want to create a space that moves people. It doesn't matter if it is a house, or a museum, or whatever. So, it is somebody sitting on that lawn, just going around and around and feeling really happy. That is something that I'm striving for.

If there is only one culture all over the world, that's not a good thing.

Italy is full of historical buildings. And Europe holds a great history of philosophy from Greece until today. I read all those books and see these buildings, and I think of where I stand when I design my architecture.

I don't believe architecture has to speak too much. It should remain silent and let nature in the guise of sunlight and wind

Japanese architecture is traditionally based on wooden structures that need renovating on a regular basis.

We borrow from nature the space upon which we build.