I was never a hugely successful theatre designer. I painted a lot of scenery and did the lighting, and my lighting business grew out of that.

Building your own house is a primal urge, one of those universal genetic drives like the need to provide for your family.

Sustainability is now a big baggy sack in which people throw all kinds of old ideas, hot air and dodgy activities in order to be able to greenwash their products and feel good.

Building your own home is about desire, fantasy. But it's achievable; anyone can do it.

I don't look at what people do with their homes in terms of money, but the social and personal value of what they're trying to do and achieve.

Architecture was pretty much the sexiest thing to be doing from 1700-1800.

It's possible to be satisfied with a day's work or a cake, but a life... what is a life but a history of events badly remembered?

Every breath we take as human beings damages the planet.

Generally speaking, I think that if you do anything with commitment and passion, it will come good.

Living an environmentally responsible lifestyle can seem like a Scrooge-like list of don'ts. Don't take that flight, don't buy that car, don't eat those blueberries flown in from somewhere far-flung.

I'm terribly fastidious. I like symmetry and neatness, but my house is as chaotic as any other family's.

...mastery of the emotions is fundamental to a virtuous life.

I would say that kids are great in many ways, because I think that we are less hampered when it comes to 'this costs too much' or 'that's impossible.'

To have given pleasure to one human being is a recollection that sweetens life.

Half the trouble in the world arises from men trying to anticipate their time and season, and the other half from their trying to prolong them.

Visualize and think about yourself as you would ideally like to be, not just as you are.

I have no interest in going on a tour to make money without making new product, new art.

I am a reformed Catholic. I'm a Buddhist in other words.

Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.

Reputation is for time; character is for eternity.

Salvation has nothing to do with your religious identity, where you were baptized or where you are a member. It has everything to do with if you have faith in Jesus Christ.