Q & A
What makes a great design?
For me, it’s the magic of anticipation. Creating curiosity and satisfying it. It begins with composition of a design – how it relates to the site, to its program and to the potential for great experiences. A great building should send a message to the world that it has precision, presence and inspires people to enter. It blurs the boundaries between the inside and the outside.
I love this transition, as it gives those entering for the first time that feeling of great expectation, especially when you don’t know what you will encounter on the other side.
Great architecture isn’t product design; it’s the result of an architect thinking about the right solution. That may result in an iconic building, a building that is strongly tied to the community, or a building that absolutely brands the team or city. All are good solutions.
I feel I have succeeded in my objective when I am able to make the majority of people happy. I want people to use the building and to relate to it on an individual basis, maybe even on a spiritual basis. I want people to feel good about the building and their experience.