Robin Day Quotes

If you have to design something, choose things that we need as opposed to frivolous things that we might just want for a month or two for bragging rights.

Nature does nothing in vain.

To use is necessary. And if you can't be used, then you're useless.

Some are created for beauty, and some for use; and there are some which one can do without altogether.

If you consider only utility, the things you build will soon be useless... nobody wants to be in it.

Houses are built to live in, and not to look on: therefore let use be preferred before uniformity.

Always think of what is useful and not what is beautiful. Beauty will come of its own accord.

My architecture is the architecture of survival.

The meaning or value of a thing consists of what it affords.

I remember someone once said there is a practical aspect to my designs, and I remember thinking, 'That doesn't sound so creative,' but that is actually the truth. There is a practicality to it. I don't design just to design. There is a reason and, hopefully, an interesting reason behind it - that is where my creativity comes in.

I don't subscribe to the view some people have in the industry that you should purposefully design products that do not last that long. I don't think it is good for anyone.

Single-use wearables are tough to sustain from a user perspective.

We are buying stuff we know we don't need, and that is a problem we should face in design. It starts with creating an object that transports through time a valuable idea: that it can live forever.

I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity.

If you don't love something, it's not functional, in my opinion.

The real questions are: Does it solve a problem? Is it serviceable? How is it going to look in ten years?

One thing that I do ask myself when I'm in the creative process is, 'Does the world need this?'

Advise not on what is pleasant, but what is most useful.

Design shouldn't have to take a backseat to sustainability and making things responsibly.

Make yourself necessary to somebody.

Comfort? If a choice has to be made between style and comfort, style wins every time.

It doesn't matter if the item isn't your favorite thing as long it fits well.

A lasting architecture has to have roots.

I'll use any excuse to buy a new backpack.

We should make things that people don't want to throw away.