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…

Quote by Helmut Jahn

Topics: Helmut Jahn Quotes

In Europe, they're more demanding, the ones that rent the build ings.

In Europe, they're more demanding, the ones that rent the build ings.

I wanted to improve the suburban office building; to create a great urban space in...

I wanted to improve the suburban office building; to create a great urban space in...

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

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

You don't know what the Chinese expect in the way of beauty. The presentation is...

You don't know what the Chinese expect in the way of beauty. The presentation is...

Higher ceilings allow the use indirect lighting, which is much healthier and reduces glare.

Higher ceilings allow the use indirect lighting, which is much healthier and reduces glare.

German and English firms operate internationally, while French firms do not. The only place where...

German and English firms operate internationally, while French firms do not. The only place where...

I think the younger generation, the people poised to dominate the workforce, are more socially...

I think the younger generation, the people poised to dominate the workforce, are more socially...

America has always imported history.

America has always imported history.

In Europe, architects consider themselves artists. They think they're special when they win a competition.

In Europe, architects consider themselves artists. They think they're special when they win a competition.

Transparency is not the same as looking straight through a building: it's not just a...

Transparency is not the same as looking straight through a building: it's not just a...

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

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

Critics are entitled to have an opinion, but how can they judge how comfortable a...

Critics are entitled to have an opinion, but how can they judge how comfortable a...

You'd never think of taking a cab if you had to walk a mile down...

You'd never think of taking a cab if you had to walk a mile down...

When I came to America in the '60s, it was the place to be. I...

When I came to America in the '60s, it was the place to be. I...

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

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

We want our buildings to work like a machine that will create a pleasurable environment.

We want our buildings to work like a machine that will create a pleasurable environment.

Sometimes I have to accept a job I don't really want. Hardly anybody comes up...

Sometimes I have to accept a job I don't really want. Hardly anybody comes up...

Chinese buildings are like American buildings, with big footprints. People don't care about daylight or...

Chinese buildings are like American buildings, with big footprints. People don't care about daylight or...

Most architects say: I want to use this type of glass, even if it's too...

Most architects say: I want to use this type of glass, even if it's too...

A building is hard to judge. It takes many years to find out whether it...

A building is hard to judge. It takes many years to find out whether it...