Helmut Jahn
Helmut Jahn
Helmut Jahnis a German-American architect, well known for designs such as the US$800 million Sony Center on the Potsdamer Platz, Berlin, the Messeturm in Frankfurt and the One Liberty Place, formerly the tallest building in Philadelphia, and Suvarnabhumi Airport, an international airport in Bangkok, Thailand...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionArchitect
Date of Birth4 January 1940
CountryGermany
smart judging opinion
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.
america today wonder
When I came to America in the '60s, it was the place to be. I wonder if I'd come here today.
two architecture building
Every building is a prototype. No two are alike.
jobs competition up-to-you
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.
light glasses use
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.
inspirational ideas intellectual
Transparency is not the same as looking straight through a building: it's not just a physical idea, it's also an intellectual one.
simple years judging
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.
thinking reverse propose
A good engineer thinks in reverse and asks himself about the stylistic consequences of the components and systems he proposes.
taken architecture strive
I strive for an architecture from which nothing can be taken away.
In Europe, they're more demanding, the ones that rent the build ings.