Architects are optimistic by nature.

Question: What do you believe?

Richard Meier: Well I think if I have a personal philosophy, it would stem from people who were extremely important to me during my education; not only my early education, but the time that I spent at Cornell. My closest faculty advisor was a man in the government department, and I just learned from them sort of freedom with responsibility. That’s ____________. Architects are optimistic by nature. I don’t think you can be an architect without being an optimist. So I am always hopeful that no matter what’s happening, it can be better.

Question: What is the measure of a good life?

Richard Meier: I think the feeling of accomplishment; the feeling of giving something to society that is meaningful, hopefully lasting, and has quality and endurance that people will appreciate over the years.

Recorded on: September 17, 2007.