I'm a chameleon, so changeable. I see myself as a gadfly and a questioner. Philip Johnson chameleonchangeablegadfly Change image and share on social
Concrete you can mold, you can press it into - after all, you haven't any straight lines in your body. Why should we have straight lines in our architecture? You'd be surprised when you go into a room that has no straight line - how marvelous it is that you can feel the walls talking back to you, as it were. Philip Johnson architecturebackbody share on social
I wish someone would ask me to design a cathedral. Philip Johnson cathedraldesign Change image and share on social
Architecture is the art of how to waste space. Philip Johnson architectureartspace Change image and share on social
Don't build a glass house if you're worried about saving money on heating. Philip Johnson buildglassheat Change image and share on social
I like to be buttoned onto tradition. The thing is to improve it, twist it and mold it; to make something new of it; not to deny it. The riches of history can be plucked at any point. Philip Johnson buttondenyhistory Change image and share on social
How does an artist know when the line that he just painted is good or not good? That's the catch. De Kooning was the greatest of my contemporaries in art, and he knew when he'd done a good line. When he didn't, he threw it away. I wish I'd thrown away some of mine. Philip Johnson artartistcatch share on social
Processionalism is primary - how you get from one place to another, the relationships and effects of spaces as you move about in them. That's worked out awfully well in the State Theater. I'm a 'straight-in' man myself; I'm too nervous, I like to know where I am. I also like to know where I'm going. Philip Johnson effectmanmove share on social
Purpose is not necessary to make a building beautiful. Philip Johnson beautifulbuildmake Change image and share on social
There's no such thing as old age. I'm no different now than I was 50 years ago. I'm just having more fun. Philip Johnson ageagofun Change image and share on social