You'd never think of taking a cab if you had to walk a mile down Chicago's Michigan Avenue. But in a bad city you take a cab just to go around the corner.

Quote by Helmut Jahn

Topics: Helmut Jahn Quotes

Every building is a prototype. No two are alike.

Every building is a prototype. No two are alike.

The architecture profession has lost a lot of its integrity, especially in the USA. The...

The architecture profession has lost a lot of its integrity, especially in the USA. The...

It's my goal to make a building as immaterial as possible. Architecture is a very...

It's my goal to make a building as immaterial as possible. Architecture is a very...

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...

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...

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...

America has always imported history.

America has always imported history.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

For me, though, the fun is over when I get the job.

For me, though, the fun is over when I get the job.

We prefer synthetic rather than natural materials. Natural products are almost too valuable. Wood is...

We prefer synthetic rather than natural materials. Natural products are almost too valuable. Wood is...

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...

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...

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

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

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.

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...

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...