I don't consider myself a star or a celebrity. I'm a simple guy who works a lot.

- Helmut Jahn

I'm ashamed to be German.

- 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

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

- Helmut Jahn

We are creating a unique experience. It's starts with how you see the building from a distance.

- Helmut Jahn

When I came to America in the '60s, it was the place to be. I wonder if I'd come here today.

- 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

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

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

America has always imported history.

- Helmut Jahn

For me, though, the fun is over when I get the job.

- Helmut Jahn

I strive for an architecture from which nothing can be taken away.

- Helmut Jahn

I'm just a nice and easy person.

- Helmut Jahn

In Europe, they're more demanding, the ones that rent the build ings.

- 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

The American attitude towards efficiency and execution should always underlie architecture.

- Helmut Jahn

We want our buildings to work like a machine that will create a pleasurable environment.

- 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

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

I used to buy nice clothes and drive a nice car when I couldn't afford it. But I spent all my money doing it, and now I don't have to. I like nice things. I like to travel in a certain style. I like to live in a nice place.

- Helmut Jahn