Quotes from Helmut Jahn

Creativity has more to do with the elimination of the inessential than with inventing something new.

Every building is a prototype. No two are alike.

Most architects say: I want to use this type of glass, even if it's too reflective or doesn't let enough light in. However, the use of a certain type of glass might change the comfort level.

I used to buy nice clothes and drive a nice car when I couldn't afford it. But I spent all my money doing it, and now I don't have to. I like nice things. I like to travel in a certain style. I like to live in a nice place.

I've never looked at a suburban building as being a minor building and an urban building as being a major building.

I wanted to improve the suburban office building; to create a great urban space in a suburban environment with all that implies about interaction, collaboration and creativity.

A building is hard to judge. It takes many years to find out whether it works. It's not as simple as asking the people in the office whether they like it.

The American attitude towards efficiency and execution should always underlie architecture.

We are creating a unique experience. It's starts with how you see the building from a distance.

You don't know what the Chinese expect in the way of beauty. The presentation is just a farce. You come into a room filled with 50 people and they don't talk to you. There's very little interaction.

A city building, you experience when you walk a suburban building, you experience when you drive.

Every building is a prototype. No two are alike.

I strive for an architecture from which nothing can be taken away.

The architecture profession has lost a lot of its integrity, especially in the USA. The general architect here has no scruples, no ambitions.

It's my goal to make a building as immaterial as possible. Architecture is a very material thing. It takes a lot of resources, so why not eliminate what you don't need as long as you're able to achieve the same result?

German and English firms operate internationally, while French firms do not. The only place where they all have work is in China. Anybody can sell himself in China!

I find if my body feels well and I exercise regularly, I think better, work better and feel better.

I strive for an architecture from which nothing can be taken away.

For me, drawing generates thinking and vice versa.

Working is actually a pleasure. It's just very time-consuming. It's a way of life. I find that I can work when I travel and work when I run. There is nothing like, on a rainy day, to work.

A city building, you experience when you walk; a suburban building, you experience when you drive.

We are creating a unique experience. It's starts with how you see the building from a distance.