"Architecture is the art of how to waste space."
About Philip Johnson
Philip Johnson — Life and Legacy
Philip Johnson was a pivotal figure in 20th-century architecture, renowned for his innovative designs and contributions to the modernist movement. His work, particularly the Glass House, exemplifies his belief in the integration of architecture with nature, showcasing transparency and simplicity. Johnson's philosophy is often captured in his assertion that 'less is more', a principle that highlights the importance of minimalism and clarity in design. This perspective not only influenced his own creations but also reshaped architectural discourse, encouraging a departure from ornate styles towards functionalism. Johnson's impact extends beyond his buildings; he played a crucial role in defining what modern architecture could achieve. His advocacy for the International Style emphasized the use of new materials and technologies, allowing for a fresh approach to space and form. By challenging traditional norms, Johnson opened doors for future architects to explore innovative ideas and expressions. Today, Johnson's quotes and ideas continue to resonate, inspiring architects and designers to embrace simplicity, functionality, and a deeper connection with the environment. His legacy is a testament to the transformative power of architecture in shaping human experience.
Quote collection
Philip Johnson quotes (page 1 of 4)
61 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"To me, the drive for monumentality is as inbred as the desire for food and sex, regardless of how we denigrate it. Monuments differ in different periods. Each age has its own."
"I hate vacations. If you can build buildings, why sit on the beach?"
"All architecture is shelter, all great architecture is the design of space that contains, cuddles, exalts, or stimulates the persons in that space."
"I got everything from someone. Nobody can be original."
"The future of architecture is culture."
"I like the thought that what we are to do on this earth is embellish it for its greater beauty, so that oncoming generations can look back to the shapes we leave here and get the same thrill that I get in looking back at theirs - at the Parthenon, at Chartres Cathedral."
"It is wonderful to be in the country in a glass house, because no matter what happens out there, you're nice and safe, you know, cuddled in your little bed, and there it is, raging storms, snowing - wonderful."
"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."
"Architects are pretty much high-class whores. We can turn down projects the way they can turn down some clients, but we've both got to say yes to someone if we want to stay in business."
"Anybody can build a building, putting some doors into it, but how many times have you been in a building that moves you to tears the way Beethoven's 'Eighth' does?"
"Doing a house is so much harder than doing a skyscraper."
"The practice of architecture is the most delightful of all pursuits. Also, next to agriculture, it is the most necessary to man. One must eat, one must have shelter. Next to religious worship itself, it is the spiritual handmaiden of our deepest convictions."
"If architects weren't arrogant, they wouldn't be architects. I don't know a modest good architect."
"We do pretty much whatever we want to."
"Don't build a glass house if you're worried about saving money on heating."
"Architecture is art, nothing else."
"I guess I can't be a great architect. Great architects have a recognizable style. But if every building I did were the same, it would be pretty boring."
"Faith? Haven't any. I'm not a nihilist or a relativist. I don't believe in anything but change. I'm a Heraclitean - you can't step in the same river twice."
"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."