23+ Helmut Jahn Quotes On Education, World And Modern

Helmut Jahn is a German-American architect. He is known for his modernist and postmodernist designs, and is considered one of the most influential architects of the late 20th century. He is best known for his design of the Sony Center in Berlin and the United Airlines Terminal at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Helmut Jahn on leadership, education, life.

Top 10 Helmut Jahn Quotes

1. Transparency is not the same as looking straight through a building: it's not just a physical idea, it's also an intellectual one.
2. When I think of some of my earlier work, it really seems a fortunate coincidence that I succeeded.
3. 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.
4. I wanted to improve the suburban office building; to create a great urban space in a suburban environment with all that implies about interaction, collaboration and creativity.
5. The American attitude towards efficiency and execution should always underlie architecture.
6. Every building is a prototype. No two are alike.
7. Most architects say: I want to use this type of glass, even if it's too reflective or doesn't let enough light in. However, the use of a certain type of glass might change the comfort level.
8. Chinese buildings are like American buildings, with big footprints. People don't care about daylight or fresh air.
9. We are creating a unique experience. It's starts with how you see the building from a distance.
10. You don't know what the Chinese expect in the way of beauty. The presentation is just a farce. You come into a room filled with 50 people and they don't talk to you. There's very little interaction.

Helmut Jahn Short Quotes

• When I came to America in the '60s, it was the place to be. I wonder if I'd come here today.
• America has always imported history.
• For me, drawing generates thinking and vice versa.
• I strive for an architecture from which nothing can be taken away.
• I find if my body feels well and I exercise regularly, I think better, work better and feel better.

Helmut Jahn Famous Quotes And Sayings

We prefer synthetic rather than natural materials. Natural products are almost too valuable. Wood is much harder to produce than metal. And metal is recyclable, while wood isn't. — Helmut Jahn

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

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

Critics are entitled to have an opinion, but how can they judge how comfortable a building is? No critic is smart enough to judge how a building will perform over time. — Helmut Jahn

Sometimes I have to accept a job I don't really want. Hardly anybody comes up to you with a commission; it's all competitions these days. — Helmut Jahn

German and English firms operate internationally, while French firms do not. The only place where they all have work is in China. Anybody can sell himself in China! — Helmut Jahn

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 result? — Helmut Jahn

A building is hard to judge. It takes many years to find out whether it works. It's not as simple as asking the people in the office whether they like it. — Helmut Jahn

Life Lessons by Helmut Jahn

1. Helmut Jahn's work demonstrates the importance of modernism and the impact of technology on architecture.
2. His designs emphasize the importance of creating a balance between functionality and aesthetics.
3. His work also shows the importance of sustainability and how it can be incorporated into architecture.