Architect Michael Graves interview (2001)

Summary

In this engaging interview, renowned architect Michael Graves discusses his illustrious career, from classically influenced buildings to his mission of making design accessible through collaborations with Target. Graves, who was awarded the 2001 Gold Medal by the American Institute of Architects, shares insights into his diverse projects, from designing everyday items like ice cream scoopers to monumental structures. He reflects on the competitive nature of architecture, the importance of cultural context in design, and the joy of working across various domains. The conversation also touches on his restoration of the Washington Monument and the unique challenges and rewards of designing buildings both domestically and internationally.

Takeaways

• 🏆 Architect Michael Graves is renowned for both his classic designs and his mission to bring affordable design to the masses through his partnership with Target.
• 🏛 Graves was awarded the 2001 Gold Medal by the American Institute of Architects, an honor previously given to notable architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and I.M. Pei.
• 🎨 Graves has a broad interest in design, which includes everything from buildings to everyday household items like ice cream scoopers and patio furniture.
• 🏢 His work on the Washington Monument restoration involved innovative scaffolding that became a talking point and was subject to approval by the Fine Arts Commission.
• 🌟 Graves appreciates the cultural context of architecture, emphasizing the importance of understanding and integrating with local vernacular when designing buildings overseas.
• 🏞 His design philosophy involves a seamless continuity between a building and its interior, which he finds satisfying and fulfilling.
• 🏰 Graves has worked on a wide range of projects, from residential homes to large commercial buildings, and enjoys the variety this brings to his work.
• 🎭 He has also dabbled in designing for the performing arts, such as the O'Reilly Theater, where he focused on the acoustics and the theater's presence in its district.
• 🏢 The design of the Denver Central Library is one of Graves' most celebrated works, noted for its successful expansion and integration with the city's growth.
• 🏨 Graves' international work, such as the Miramar Resort Hotel in Egypt, showcases his ability to adapt to local building techniques and materials, like brick, stucco, and vaults.
• 🏛 The NCAA headquarters and the Washington Monument restoration are examples of Graves' ability to create structures that resonate with their cultural and historical context.

Q & A

What significant recognition did architect Michael Graves receive in 2001?

Michael Graves was selected to receive the 2001 Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects, an honor previously given to renowned architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and I.M. Pei.

What is the connection between Michael Graves and discount retailer Target?

Michael Graves has an alliance with Target, where he has designed a range of affordable products, from ice cream scoopers to patio furniture, making design accessible to the masses.

What is the significance of Thomas Jefferson's architectural work, as mentioned in the script?

Thomas Jefferson is recognized for his contribution to American architecture, particularly through the design of the University of Virginia, which is considered one of the greatest creations in American architecture.

What is the importance of the competition for a monument to religious freedom in Richmond?

The competition for a monument to religious freedom in Richmond is significant as it commemorates an important trial related to religious freedom, reflecting the historical and cultural importance of the concept.

Why did Michael Graves initially hesitate to design a phone for Alessi in Italy?

Michael Graves initially hesitated to design a phone for Alessi because he was not interested in creating a designer phone for a niche market; he wanted to design a phone for everyone.

How did Michael Graves' collaboration with Target begin?

The collaboration began when Ron Johnson from Target approached Graves during a lunch meeting about the Washington Monument scaffolding project. Johnson expressed interest in Graves' work, and they started discussing potential collaborations.

What architectural challenge did Michael Graves face with the Humana Building?

The challenge with the Humana Building was to design a building that stood out next to a neighboring glass box building, giving it a unique identity and sense of quality.

What is unique about the design of the Denver Central Library?

The Denver Central Library is unique in how it successfully integrated the expansion of the original building, quadrupling its size, while maintaining a cohesive architectural presence in the growing city of Denver.

What cultural considerations did Michael Graves take into account when designing the Miramar Resort Hotel in Egypt?

When designing the Miramar Resort Hotel, Graves considered the local vernacular and the use of traditional building materials and techniques such as brick, stucco, vaults, and domes, which are more in tune with the local context and craftsmanship.

How did the restoration of the Washington Monument enhance its appearance?

The restoration of the Washington Monument introduced a unique lighting feature that illuminated the monument in a way that gave it an almost alabaster appearance, enhancing its architectural beauty.

What is the significance of the NCAA headquarters building designed by Michael Graves?

The NCAA headquarters building, with its Hall of Champions, is significant as it represents the centralization of undergraduate athletics in America, having been moved from Kansas City to Indianapolis.

Outlines

00:00

🏆 Architect Michael Graves: From Classical Influence to Design for the Masses

Architect Michael Graves is celebrated for his classically influenced designs and his mission to make design affordable for everyone. He has partnered with Target, a discount retailer, to design a wide range of products, from ice cream scoopers to patio furniture. Graves has been honored with the 2001 gold medal from the American Institute of Architects, joining the ranks of previous winners like Frank Lloyd Wright and I.M. Pei. The conversation touches on Graves' work, his recognition among peers, and his involvement in a competition for a monument to religious freedom in Richmond.

05:02

🛍️ Michael Graves' Collaboration with Target and His Design Philosophy

This section discusses Michael Graves' collaboration with Target, which began with the design of a phone and expanded to various other products. Graves emphasizes the importance of designing for everyone, not just for a select few. The conversation also covers his work on the Washington Monument scaffolding, funded largely by Target, and how his partnership with Target came about. Graves shares anecdotes about his work with Target's team and his satisfaction in seeing his designs widely available and affordable.

10:03

🏛️ Architectural Projects and Cultural Sensitivity in Design

The discussion moves to Michael Graves' architectural projects, including the Humana Building, his residence in Princeton, the Cauca Hyatt Regency in Japan, and the Kasumi Research and Training Center. Graves talks about the unique challenges and joys of designing architecture in different countries and cultures. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting local traditions and building practices, as seen in his work on the Miramar Resort Hotel in Egypt, which utilized local materials and construction techniques.

15:06

🏙️ Diverse Architectural Works and the Joy of Design

Graves shares insights into his diverse architectural portfolio, including the O'Reilly Theater, the Denver Central Library, and the World Bank building. He discusses the importance of design in creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The conversation highlights Graves' passion for design across various scales and types of projects, from public buildings to private residences, and his belief in the transformative power of good design.

20:07

🏞️ The NCAA Headquarters and the Washington Monument Restoration

The final part of the script focuses on the NCAA headquarters and the Washington Monument restoration project. Graves talks about the significance of the NCAA's move to Indianapolis and the impact of the Washington Monument's restoration on public appreciation for architecture and design. He reflects on the evolving awareness and appreciation of design in America and the role of architects in shaping public spaces and cultural landmarks.

Keywords

💡Michael Graves

Michael Graves is an architect renowned for his classically influenced buildings and his mission to bring affordable design to the masses through his alliance with Target, a discount retailer. He is a central figure in the video, discussing his career, design philosophy, and various architectural projects. His work is highlighted as an example of the integration of high design with accessibility.

💡American Institute of Architects

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. In the video, it is mentioned that Michael Graves was selected to receive the 2001 gold medal from the AIA, which is a prestigious honor that signifies recognition of his contributions to the field of architecture.

💡Classical Influence

The term 'classical influence' refers to the impact of traditional or classical architectural styles on a designer's work. In the context of the video, Graves' early career was marked by buildings that showcased classical influences, indicating a respect for historical design principles and their incorporation into modern structures.

💡Affordable Design

Affordable design is a concept that emphasizes the creation of well-designed products that are accessible to a wide range of consumers, not just the wealthy. Graves' mission to bring affordable design to the masses is highlighted in the video, particularly through his collaboration with Target, where he designed items like ice cream scoopers and patio furniture.

💡Architectural Competition

An architectural competition is a process where architects submit proposals for a building or structure, and the best design is chosen, often by a panel of judges or through a voting process. The video discusses the competitive nature of architecture and how Graves was involved in a competition for a monument to religious freedom in Richmond.

💡Cultural Continuum

The cultural continuum refers to the ongoing tradition and evolution of cultural practices, including architecture. Graves discusses the importance of understanding and respecting the cultural continuum in different countries where he works, such as Italy and Japan, to create architecture that is sensitive to local context and traditions.

💡Seamless Interior

A seamless interior suggests a design where the interior spaces flow together in a harmonious and unified manner. Graves mentions the continuity of a building's interior as being seamless for him, indicating his approach to design where the interior and exterior elements are integrated and cohesive.

💡Design for Everyone

Design for everyone is a philosophy that advocates for creating products and spaces that are usable and accessible to all people, regardless of their background or economic status. Graves' work with Target exemplifies this concept, as he designed products like a phone and other household items that are affordable and available to the general public.

💡Architectural Ego

The term 'architectural ego' refers to the perception that architects have large egos and are highly competitive, often due to the high stakes and visibility of their work. The video discusses this concept, noting that architects, like other professionals, can be competitive, but it is particularly noticeable in architecture due to the public nature of their projects.

💡Architectural Restoration

Architectural restoration involves the process of repairing, preserving, and updating historical buildings to maintain their original character while adapting them for modern use. The video features Graves' work on the Washington Monument restoration, where he discusses the challenges and rewards of preserving an iconic structure.

💡Design Continuity

Design continuity refers to the consistent application of design principles and elements throughout a project, ensuring a cohesive look and feel. Graves speaks about the continuity in his work, from architecture to product design, indicating that he applies similar design philosophies regardless of the scale or type of project.

Highlights

Architect Michael Graves gained recognition for his classically influenced buildings and later for making design accessible through his work with Target.

Graves was awarded the 2001 gold medal from the American Institute of Architects, an honor previously given to renowned architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and I.M. Pei.

Thomas Jefferson's architectural work, particularly the University of Virginia, is highly regarded and considered a significant contribution to American architecture.

Graves discusses the competitive nature of architects, similar to other professions, due to the limited number of commissions available.

Graves has been interested in design since childhood, inspired by architects and designers like Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen, and Le Corbusier.

Designing everyday items like chess sets and phones for Target allows Graves to bring good design to a wider audience at affordable prices.

Graves' design for the Washington Monument scaffolding became so iconic that people did not want to see it removed.

The Humana Building, designed by Graves in 1985, stands out for its unique design amidst a backdrop of glass buildings.

Graves' own residence in Princeton, New Jersey, is a renovated Italian Mason-style building from the 1920s, reflecting his love for design and architecture.

Designing in Japan offers unique challenges and opportunities, as Graves found when working on the Cauca Hyatt Regency.

The Kasumi Research and Training Center, designed by Graves, features distinctive 'saddlebag' elements that enhance the building's standard office design.

The O'Reilly Theater, with its copper roof and running bond stonework, has a strong presence in Pittsburgh's theater district.

The Denver Central Library, a project that involved quadrupling the size of an existing building, is considered one of Graves' best works.

The World Bank building in Washington features a central atrium that allows light to pour into the offices surrounding it.

The Miramar Resort Hotel in Egypt showcases local craftsmanship with its brick, stucco, and vaulted domes, providing a unique guest experience.

Graves' work with Target has been so successful that the revenue from it could potentially buy a condominium in Miami.

Graves' approach to architecture is broad, finding interest and satisfaction in designing everything from tombs to resort hotels.

The NCAA headquarters, designed by Graves, features a 'hall of champions' and is located in the center of undergraduate athletics in America.

Graves' restoration of the Washington Monument introduced innovative lighting that enhances the monument's appearance.

The appreciation for architecture and design in America is growing, with various sectors contributing to raising awareness.

Transcripts

[Music]

early in his career architect Michael

Graves made a name for himself among his

peers for his classically influenced

buildings lately his mission to bring

affordable design to the masses has

earned him popular claim as well through

his alliance with the discount retailer

target he has designed everything from

ice cream scoopers to patio furniture

this month he was selected to receive

the 2001 gold medal from the American

Institute of Architects previous winners

of the honor I've included Frank Lloyd

Wright the IM Pei and others I am

pleased to have Michael Graves back at

this table welcome thank you and Thomas

Jefferson he Thomas Jefferson yeah is

that right absolutely

many people believe in every crooks but

yeah many people believe that the

universal Virginia is the greatest

creation in American architects I got to

be up there it's up there it really is

yeah it's amazing and when you walk

through it you realize that like all the

rest of us he had budget problems he had

to substitute wood for four travertine

painted their white and he and he

actually instead was that one of the

three great things he did you know

absolutely yes the religious freedom the

Declaration of Independence and the

University of Ghent that's right and now

we're doing a competition for a monument

to religious freedom in Richmond it was

a trial that's what caused you first of

all congratulations I mean what on earth

no this is a big one for me why is that

well and your peers vote right no but

architects voting for an architect I

mean that's hard to do because we're all

so competitive oh no no no no but it's

it's a it's a very nice thing to get

yeah why is it I mean do you think ARCA

I make many people make the observation

that architects are huge egos number one

who build these monuments and be they

are intensely competitive now is that

any different than athletes or

professors or actors or journalists I

don't know but it certainly sticks with

architects I think everybody knows that

athletes are

competitive that's the nature of the

game that they play but people don't

regard architecture is that kind of game

but it but when there are only so many

Commission's to go around so many

architects it gets competitive therefore

it is a bit it has a bit of that in it

yeah I mean I don't think people

understand that very much I mean you

know if somebody's gonna do something

important in building a building or a

design element they're gonna actually

have a competition to see if it's the

New York Times deciding to build a new

building or the right Museum right that

doesn't happen in medicine it doesn't

happen in poetry it doesn't happen in

music but here it has and really do ya

have to come in and how I'm what you do

yeah yeah this transition this this

element of what you do why I've always

done it i I've done it from the time I

was a kid to college decorating my first

department everything you know it wasn't

much beyond orange crates at that point

to sit on but yeah I've always been

interested in it I was you know I've

brought up at the time of Charles Eames

and Eero Saarinen and modular Corbusier

things like right Josef Hoffmann people

who were architects and designers and

made things with with their in their

their shops as well as like Hoffman did

as well as the buildings that that would

finally receive all of these things

whether they're furniture fabrics

carpets and so I've always been

interested in it does it give you the

same satisfaction well it it is the kind

of continuity of a building - interior

is is seamless for me so it's I don't

know the same satisfaction it's a

perhaps a little different satisfaction

and it's much quicker obviously yeah if

that's not the way you do it you do it

because it's there to be done and you

see things whether it's a telephone or a

chess set I don't think of chess sets

been designed by a designer I'm gonna

get in trouble for this since the

Bauhaus which is a classic one yeah so

you know it's a long time since

somebody's done something like that we

got we don't talk about a lot of things

a lot of slides here but let me talk

about the chess set since it's sitting

here

what can we say about this just say well

where else in the world could you buy

this for 59.95 I mean this was only 995

at Target at Target yeah you look at it

and you know you open the thing up yeah

it stores look at this it stores not

only a chess pieces but also checkers if

you're not the smartest yeah yes that

what's laid out here on top but but the

pieces are nice they're all shaped like

eggs which was a something that we've

used at Target this is a clock and so on

but but something that feels good in the

hand yeah yeah and and so and okay talk

about the phone then tell me about that

well target probably target product this

is your last see yeah and you did this

long time ago

85 even it's all over a million and and

that's why I'm here with target and

other things and more Alessi because of

this because you know because that was a

success you know it's catch-22 you don't

get to do another one until you've done

one well he's young one well people take

notice knew what you had yeah yeah but I

mean what that that started about 15

years ago for it'll tell in Italy they

asked me to do a designer phone and I

told them I wasn't interested yeah that

I only wanted to do a phone for

everybody and they said can you do both

at once and I said absolutely so this is

what we did then the chairman died and

the project floundered for a while

target folks saw it and said well let's

do a version of it that's the version

and this is a radio obviously yeah I you

know sitting there and in the hotel when

the alarm goes off at 4:00 in the

morning when it wasn't supposed to and

you didn't set it and you never know

what the price so this one you just

pound on the top it goes off how did the

target thing come about I was working on

the the Washington Monument scaffolding

and target was paying for it by and

large and somebody sitting at one of our

lunches or one of our presentation said

Michael do you have time for for lunch

after this meeting on the Washington

Monument I not involved with a monument

I'm involved with all these things and I

said sure and he said look we've been

knocking you off for 15 or 20 years and

why not

goes

would you be interested and I said well

this is great this man's name was Ron

Johnson is Ron Johnson and and I said

well how would we start me he said well

I don't know I would suggest and I said

well putting a yellow sticky on on all

the things that that I think I could

effect in the store and he said there

are enough stickies I knew I loved him

he had a sense of humor and everybody

there I mean as I've gotten to know the

whole team it's just amazing just

amazing group of people yeah so I hope

you get a percentage of everything they

sell that had bears your design I do

they sell a lot of merchandising at that

store it pays you can buy you could even

buy a condominium in Miami with thank

you all right let's talk about the talk

about architecture first I want to just

you mention and we're going to see a

slide later

it's our last slide of the Washington

Monument restoration yes there were lots

of people who did not want to see the

scaffolding torn down that's right I

didn't think anybody would notice and it

had to go through the the Fine Arts

Commission and I think that the toughest

time was there because as one member

told me ladies that I didn't vote for it

I said but why it says scaffolding he

said because I think scaffolding is

scaffolding is scaffolding a modernist

and he said all right I'm just going to

do it straight so but my charge was to

tell story oh it's just great we'll see

it but but what's interesting about it

too the Eiffel Tower for example they

still have some of the elements of the

things that they did to the Eiffel Tower

to celebrate the millennium sure sure

you know as they did in Washington we

were there and I mean using the

Washington Monument the day before it

was it was torn down at the turn of the

century it was just an amazing moment

alright let's talk about buildings this

is a Humana building in 1985 let's see

this what what well there's a challenge

here to was the competition I think

about five or six architects Internet

and it was it was interesting because

building next to it was a glass box and

this has got the the kind of quality and

sense about it that people he would say

this is the Humana building is is is the

building that came in the glass box and

once you open that box this is it and it

fronts on the Ohio River and looks out

to Indiana and so this was about 1985 as

I said this is your own residence in

Princeton New Jersey let's look at this

yes this is now what's the model for

this once look this is a reservation

bicycle period no this is built by

Italian Masons that came to incident in

the in the 20s and I renovated it my own

little Tuscan villa yeah yeah so so I've

added a pearl what's really interesting

about this is the interior yeah I love

it and really is really nice Katie the

next one is a cuckoo for Coco Hyatt

Regency right my saying that right yeah

the Cauca Hyatt Regency here is who cook

is about the third or fourth 94 Motor

City in in Japan and this is a building

that has an office building behind it we

did in the Convention Center as well as

Suites and and so on here in the

foreground in it is it different to do

architecture in Japan it's different to

do architecture anywhere but especially

there was every country every place is

what's so marvelous about a practice

like mine we're working in 17 countries

now and and so you get all these various

cultures and people might say to you as

they did recently in in Italy to me how

can you come into this little town and

profess to know anything about Benevento

you've only been here a few days right

great i lived there a few years in italy

and i go back three or four times a year

and i'm as much italian as I am

scotch-irish so I mean that you know

it's it's that kind of thing that you've

based your whole career on in the sense

the beginnings of architecture and

the cultural continuum that you find in

Italy all right next slide this is the

Kasumi research and training center 1994

this is a place called scuba City which

is the university town where rata is the

Saki built his first major building

nearby

this and this was actually started by

another architect and never just they

the footprint of it and they asked me to

assume the footprint because they'd save

time and in an approvals process and I

used these to what my students call

saddlebags on either side of the

building to suggest the special parts of

this rather standard office building

next slide is the O'Reilly theater this

is the exterior 1996 this is the

exterior of the O'Reilly theater what do

we say about this well the the inside as

you see it there at the ground level is

quite porous up above that is the

practice chamber for the theater and

it's a copper roof which hasn't changed

yet that will all be green but this

building has a kind of presence on the

side because of the theater district of

the center of Pittsburgh and that right

across the street from those those great

theaters so it has to hold its own as a

small legitimate theater next to really

blockbuster buildings which are

marvelous in what they do but this is a

smaller venue and therefore it holds its

own in that way

interior O'Riley theater here we used as

we did in the Washington Monument

restoration the running bond the idea of

stone upon stone and here there's almost

a Jeffersonian idea where the the sense

of the wood here obviously very good for

the acoustics the what architects called

OG molding for the support for the

balconies blown up in almost a Mannerist

way to support the balconies all of that

work so well for the acoustics of this

third stage theater alright next slide

is it will come from other things this

is the Denver Central Library 1996 and I

kind of go through these because I got a

lot of questions here one of my best

buildings I think that those are the

reading rooms the primary

rooms that you see in the rotunda and

then a long arcade along 13th Avenue

which is in the new Avenue of the Arts

in Denver why do you think it's one of

your best building I don't know the

pieces seem to come together in a in a

in a building that had to be quadrupled

in size from an original building in

Denver and built in the 50s when Denver

was much smaller then it's it's now this

big powerful city and how to relate the

two was part of the the attraction of

doing this competition

all right inside this is the Western

history reading room which is really

they're rare books room where the the

g-seven met a couple of years oh yeah

yeah so there it is with the kind of

Derrick as an abstraction inside

all right next slide I have see of the

World Bank in Washington on Pennsylvania

Avenue toward there it is so what can we

say about that other vennett's well

that's all it's the it it's this atrium

that one walks into the light pours into

the offices on all sides from this

central space it's a huge building 580

feet long and therefore in a wedge shape

given to a spot long falls plan there is

a central area which would have been too

dense as a kind of piece of pie and

therefore the center has been taken out

light pours in so the offices around it

all get light one font was really

responsible for Washington yes yeah

absolutely

an amazing one yeah man had so much

influence on the design of a city

McMillon another certainly are also

credited with later stages of the

refinement of the plan but that's

essentially lawful the retiring senator

Moynihan had a powerful sense of

architecture yes among public official

right

absolutely I remember seeing him at

Harvard as the the new school of

architecture the Gund Hall was just

finished there was a Saturday and I was

there for something else but I just I'm

walking around

looking at this new building because

he's curious I know the great thing

about Moynihan was he's curious it's a

great one of the great things you can

say about people and I've never

understood Pete I don't understand

people who don't have that quality

because there's so much to be curious

about but it is either you seem to be

born with it or not that's a you know

otherwise take a look at the next slide

this is the miramont Resort Hotel at

long last yes

1997 this is down on the Red Sea in the

south of Cairo

yeah about an hour's flight some of the

best scuba diving I guess absolutely

here and horseback riding and now Golf

we build a second hotel on this site and

two more hotels in Taba Heights which is

up on the Sinai for the same client our

building overseas is different because a

you get more support from the government

and and you have less regulation or

those are the kinds of elements and make

it different more or less depending on

the country no I think what makes it

different is the context so what makes

it different is the vernacular manner in

which one must build if you're going to

be careful about building in those in

those places for instance here the the

same client had hired another our

so-called hotel architected to another

building they built it in reinforced

concrete which the Egyptians in that

part of Egypt had very hard time with

buildings were very expensive to build

and I said I was only interested if we

could build it in brick and stucco and

vaults and domes which a couple of

Masons can do and it is an amazing

process and this way you sleep under a

dome not on a piece of horizontal

concrete slab and it's just magical what

you can do and these Mason's are happy

as as anything because they get to do

their craft and so I'm really pleased

about that but that's what the the

wonder is in building it overseas for me

exterior close review the Miramar Resort

Hotel this is part of the lobby and you

can see those little turrets on top the

French call them kind of Lumiere where

the light comes in unlike places like I

live in Princeton New Jersey where

you're trying to get all the light you

can hear you're on

trying to keep it out so you're

filtering light because the intensity of

it all and there's one of the lifeguards

walking by in his camel

all right next slide in the interior

right of that same hotel we designed all

the furniture for this hotel it was all

made locally

no veneers all of it solid wood and rugs

and and of course the Egyptian cotton

were were made locally among actors

they're actors who've done mostly drama

who died and do comedy or musicals there

are you know you'll find artists who are

always looking to some other discretion

how about you I mean do you care more

about residences you can more about

museums do get more about offices and is

there something that you are dying to do

that you haven't done well it's a great

question because a lot of people do

focus on one kind of thing and feel that

their strengths are or in one place I

feel my strength is breath so if

somebody calls me and says you know I'm

terminally ill would you design my tomb

at the same time somebody else is

calling and saying would you redesign a

Resort Hotel both of them are equally

interesting to me because it really is

the breadth that that one cares about I

mean people think about Michelangelo the

way he was you know sculptor painter bad

poet great architect what they don't

know about Michelangelo perhaps is that

you know when the folks that we need

costumes for the Swiss Guards in front

of st. Peters do your best

he did it and so when we see the Swiss

Guards they're in there they're Navy and

and gold

striped uniforms that's Michelangelo if

we do that today if you defy when I

design costumes for the Bob Joffrey

Ballet and and Laura Dean years ago

people pooh-poohed it now what's he up

to you know the it's our way of being

narrow and so I just love doing so any

chance to spread your wings you grab it

absolutely designers automobile to do it

you know design would you love to do

that

we'll saw think about a guy who's I

think the designer just took over Nissan

and in all these fascinating ways he

wanted to change the nature of that

company yeah yeah you know and design

can do that well if you look at that

little Chrysler car okay you know if

somebody came along it's almost a retro

what Jamie's has done with the

Volkswagen with the Audi TV and what

he'll do with Ford amazing it is amazing

will come back what's this one this is

the NCAA headquarters

you know indeed less yeah and so this is

the hall of champions which is the

fragment of the colors this is where

Indianapolis why is it in there the

center of undergraduate athletics in

America and so it's moved there from

Kansas City but you know the NCAA is I

think happy to be there alright the next

thing is the aforementioned Washington

Monument restoration look at that and it

shows you where a lot of people got so

excited about thinking oh my god this is

so much more interesting why don't we

just leave it this way well one of the

things that we were able to do here of

course that that you can't do otherwise

because the the original building is one

of the 10 best buildings in the world I

think are in America at least is

lighting here that three and a half feet

between the scaffolding outer edge of

the scaffolding in the face of the

monument gives you a chance to have this

illumination and this almost alabaster

sense of this this thing it's

architecture in terms of appreciation on

the ascendency or the decent or or has

it changed a lot in terms of an

appreciation of what design can mean I

can't imagine that it's it's trajectory

going any any faster north right

absolutely

you know architecture design awareness

the gapping of America I call it in the

sense that you know what some retailers

have done what some lawyers have done

what people like that have done to raise

our awareness of design it is an amazing

proposition and it's very different than

the Europeans they did it through the

only the higher end we have done it

through the low and middle and

and of course in the in retail they call

it the retail triangle that the top

influences the bottom and the bottom

influences the top it's like street talk

what do you think of the five five or

six seven greatest buildings in the

world

what are they oh well you you almost say

the wife in mind with 110 perhaps but I

think who's on your list I would just

take off what comes to mind without

worrying about emissions Jefferson

monument Aaron Jefferson Memorial yeah

absolutely

the blipped attack and in Munich modern

building I would I would guess the El

Palazzo by Aldo Rossi also in Fukuoka

the original New York five was you

Gwathmey Eisenman Meyer Meyer Richard

Meyer and John haddock and Johnny this

book is called the master architect

series three Michael Graves selected and

current works and I mentioned earlier

Michael Graves is the recipient of the

gold medal from the American Institute

of Architects it will be presented to

him in a ceremony in Washington on

February 16th

these are his products as well thank you

my friend thank you thanks for being

here thank you for joining us see you

next time