--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Tension is an interesting quality - and…" description: "\"Tension is an interesting quality - and architecture must have it. There should be elements of the inexplicable, the mysterious, and the poetic in some..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b5/annabelle-selldorf-26081_architecture_tension-is-an-interesting-quality-and-ar_2843160.jpg" --- # Tension is an interesting quality - and architecture must… ![“Tension is an interesting quality - and architecture must have it. There should be elements of the inexplicable, the mysterious, and the poetic in something that is perfectly rational.” quote by Annabelle Selldorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b5/annabelle-selldorf-26081_architecture_tension-is-an-interesting-quality-and-ar_2843160.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b5/annabelle-selldorf-26081_architecture_tension-is-an-interesting-quality-and-ar_2843160.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b5/annabelle-selldorf-26081_architecture_tension-is-an-interesting-quality-and-ar_2843160.jpg) > “Tension is an interesting quality - and architecture must have it. There should be elements of the inexplicable, the mysterious, and the poetic in something that is perfectly rational.” [Annabelle Selldorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annabelle-selldorf/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Architecture should blend rational structure with mystery, poetry, and the inexplicable to create depth. **In simple terms:** Design needs mystery and poetry alongside logic. Key Takeaway Embrace the unknown in design. Themes architecture creativity balance Mood inspired thoughtful Type design philosophical When to use this quote - building design - urban planning - public spaces - art installations Key Concepts aesthetic theory design philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How can mystery be balanced with usability? - What elements make a space feel poetic? A Different Perspective Too much mystery can hinder functionality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Architecture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architecture/) [Elements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elements/) [Mysterious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysterious/) [Poetic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetic/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Tension](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tension/) ## Related quotes > [She would have liked to sit upon a rock and listen to words, not of any man, but detached, mysterious, poetic words that she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-white/she-would-have-liked-to-sit-upon-a-rock-and-listen-to-words-not-of/) [Patrick White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-white/) > [There is still a real need for good quality architecture, not paper architecture, but the real stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-zumthor/there-is-still-a-real-need-for-good-quality-architecture-not-paper/) [Peter Zumthor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-zumthor/) > [My father would talk to me about the moon, and to me it was mysterious and poetic, like a large, beautiful, honey-colored pearl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-love-cohen/my-father-would-talk-to-me-about-the-moon-and-to-me-it-was-mysterious/) [Judith Love Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-love-cohen/) > [Whatever is felt upon the page without being specifically named there - that, one might say, is created. 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