Descriptions of my work depress me. They make me feel pinned down. Thom Mayne depressdescriptionfeel Change image and share on social
I've learned that in order to achieve what I wanted, it made more sense to negotiate than to defend the autonomy of my work by pounding my fist on the table. Thom Mayne achieveautonomydefend Change image and share on social
Architecture is a result of a process of asking questions and testing them and re-interrogating and changing in a repetitive way. Thom Mayne architecturechangeinterrogate Change image and share on social
The huge problem in our society is the enormous ignorance of the ideas that underlie modern art. Thom Mayne artenormoushuge Change image and share on social
I don't know any architects that I respect who don't have their own voice. I think the difference between architecture and the other arts is your immersion in reality. Thom Mayne architectarchitectureart Change image and share on social
I've always been interested in an architecture of resistance - architecture that has some power over the way we live. Working under adversarial conditions could be seen as a plus because you're offering alternatives. Still, there are situations that make you ask the questions: 'Do I want to be a part of this?' Thom Mayne adversarialalternativearchitecture share on social
Who I am as an architect and the history of my work - that's clear to anybody who hires me. But I come in literally with nothing in my brain about what the building will look like. Thom Mayne architectbrainbuild Change image and share on social
I think all good architecture should challenge you, make you start asking questions. You don't have to understand it. You may not like it. That's OK. Thom Mayne architecturechallengegood Change image and share on social
I fought violently for the autonomy of architecture. It's a very passive, weak profession where people deliver a service. You want a blue door, you get a blue door. You want it to look neo-Spanish, you get neo-Spanish. Architecture with any authenticity represents resistance. Resistance is a good thing. Thom Mayne architectureauthenticityautonomy share on social
Large-scale public projects require the agreement of large numbers of people. Thom Mayne agreementlargenumber Change image and share on social