John C. Portman Jr.

“You have to be a little bit of a poet and a philosopher and a sociologist and a psychologist.”

“Architecture is a social art. And as a social art, it is our social responsibility to make sure that we are delivering a message of hope and optimism to the folks that inhabit the buildings.”

“One of the great beauties of architecture is that each time, it is like life starting all over again.”

“Buildings should serve people, not the other way around.”

“The city needs a nucleus, a central point of reference.”

“I believe that we're here to create, and that we have a responsibility to create beauty.”

“I want to create a space that is so unique and so special that it can change the mood and the spirit of the people who are in it.”

“For me, architecture is not just a profession, it is a way of life.”

“The whole idea is to create an environment that is life-enhancing.”

“I have always felt that the architect has a responsibility to the public.”

“A city is a living organism, and like any living organism, it needs a heart.”

“I am not interested in just designing a building. I am interested in designing a total environment.”

“The atrium is a place for people to gather and to feel a sense of community.”

“I think of myself not as an architect, but as an artist-architect.”

“Every project is an opportunity to create something new and exciting.”