I love driving around east London - it's always full of surprises. Actually, I don't drive myself - I like to be driven.

Contrary to popular view, I've never been patronized in the Middle East. Men maybe treat women differently, but they do not treat them with disrespect. They don't hate women. It's a very different kind of mentality.

I don't use the computer. I do sketches, very quickly, often more than 100 on the same formal research.

I find industrial cities exciting. I like their toughness.

Architecture is particularly difficult for women; there's no reason for it to be. I don't want to blame men or society, but I think it was for a long time, the clients were men, the building industry is all male.

I don't think people should do things because you know, 'I am turning this age, I must go have a husband.' If you find somebody and it works out then have kids, it's very nice. But if you don't, you don't.

I have always appreciated those who dare to experiment with materials and proportions.