Michael Graves
Designer of Portland Building, introducing colorful, historical references to modernism.
Most quoted
"I believe that the design of buildings should be a reflection of the culture and the people who inhabit them."
— from Speech, 1995
"My work is about making connections – between past and present, inside and outside, people and place."
— from Book
"Architecture is not about building; it's about creating places for people to live, work, and dream."
— from Interview
All quotes by Michael Graves (99)
We architects must listen more than we draw.
Turning point? My accident redefined beauty in design.
Scale matters; a building should feel approachable, not imposing.
Wit in design keeps the mundane at bay.
The essence of place is in the details we cherish.
Architecture is a conversation between past and future.
My products, like my buildings, are about everyday poetry.
Empathy is the architect's greatest tool.
Don't fear the eclectic; embrace the eclectic.
A good building ages gracefully, like fine wine.
Hindsight from a wheelchair: design inclusively from the start.
Symbolism in architecture speaks louder than words.
I joke that my teapots are more famous than some of my buildings.
Sustainability starts with soulful design.
The Public Services Building challenged the status quo.
Reflections on life: architecture mirrors our inner worlds.
Proportion is the heartbeat of beauty in design.
My comeback? Proving disability doesn't diminish creativity.
In architecture, less is a bore—more is memorable.
Contemporaries of Michael Graves
Other Architectures born within 50 years of Michael Graves (1934–2015).