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When you think of the people who were important in your life, prettiness was not a factor. They might have been old, fat and toothless - but they were there.

I abhor mere prettiness.

My first buildings, when I was about 30, were rejected for aesthetic reasons.

Girls in my school were always prettier.

Buildings designed with careful attention to aesthetics arouse and enlighten their occupants and that promotes their good health.

In other words, each piece of the building must look as though it was designed for that particular building.

I always loved aesthetics. Not particularly fashion, but an idea of beauty.

Somebody can feel elegant without being elegant. It's a personality.

My dad had a personal style which was very attractive. It was quite reserved and quite elegant, and it was infectious.

I think the chance of finding beauty is higher if you don't work on it directly. Beauty in architecture is driven by practicality. This is what you learn from studying the old townscapes of the Swiss farmers.