I see my buildings as pieces of cities, and in my designs I try to make them into responsible and contributing citizens.

I always look forward to the next project. That is one of the wonderful things about architecture - you always can hope for another project to design.

Construction is a matter of optimism; its a matter of facing the future with confidence.

When I started designing in school, I discovered that I had a knack for it. I fell completely in love with architecture, and I remain in love with it.

I am a strong believer that as one moves toward the future, the strongest and clearest way to do it is if you have a good sense of your past. You cannot have a very tall tree without deep roots.

The World Trade Center was for me not only out of scale vertically, but it was also out of scale in plan. It occupied several blocks that were all massed together.

One of America's strengths has always been its openness to the new: both new ideas and new people.

When I finished high school, I was 16, and in Argentina you have to choose a career right after high school. There is no such thing as a liberal arts education.

My buildings are like my children, so I cannot have favorites.

There may be some changes in building codes, but I don't see any stylistic departure that you'll be able to attribute to Sept. 11.

He who sees a need and waits to be asked for help is as unkind as if he had refused it.

Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.

Neutrality is a negative word. It does not express what America ought to feel. We are not trying to keep out of trouble we are trying to preserve the foundations on which peace may be rebuilt.

I have a lot of conservative views on a lot of things.

I need Harry Potter like a grindylow needs water.

People say I'm America's worst nightmare. I say I'm the American dream.

Sometimes you just have to hold your nose and jump into something.

If a scientist is not befuddled by what they're looking at, then they're not a research scientist.

I died from a mineral and plant became, Died from the plant, took a sentient frame; Died from the beast, donned a human dress - When by my dying did I ever grow less.

Small things done consistently, though undramatic, yield more than the large and sporadic.