--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My buildings are like my children, so I…" description: "\"My buildings are like my children, so I cannot have favorites.\" — Cesar Pelli" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bb/cesar-pelli-22141_building_my-buildings-are-like-my-children-so-i-c_417400.png" --- # My buildings are like my children, so I cannot have… ![“My buildings are like my children, so I cannot have favorites.” quote by Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bb/cesar-pelli-22141_building_my-buildings-are-like-my-children-so-i-c_417400.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bb/cesar-pelli-22141_building_my-buildings-are-like-my-children-so-i-c_417400.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bb/cesar-pelli-22141_building_my-buildings-are-like-my-children-so-i-c_417400.png) > “My buildings are like my children, so I cannot have favorites.” [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Architectural works are cherished like offspring, preventing favoritism among creations. **In simple terms:** He treats each building as a child. Key Takeaway Value each project equally. Themes architecture creativity attachment equality Mood respectful analytical Type professional philosophical When to use this quote - urban planning - design education - client presentations Key Concepts designer‑parent relationship project pride Questions to Reflect On - Can you truly be impartial among your works? - How do you celebrate each project’s uniqueness? A Different Perspective Favoritism can bias resource allocation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Buildings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buildings/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) ## Related quotes > [Call Me On The Ouija Board' is homage not just to horror movies involving children, but my favorites as a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-needles/call-me-on-the-ouija-board-is-homage-not-just-to-horror-movies/) [Sharon Needles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-needles/) > [I don't want to be romantic, but one of the most important things is to have happy buildings... it's like having a family with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renzo-piano/i-don-t-want-to-be-romantic-but-one-of-the-most-important-things-is/) [Renzo Piano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renzo-piano/) > [Great architecture is not just about buildings like the Shard or the Guggenheim - it can be a caravan, castle, boat or house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clarke/great-architecture-is-not-just-about-buildings-like-the-shard-or-the/) [George Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clarke/) > [“fifty-story skyscrapers stood side by side with older ten-story buildings like fathers and sons at the urinal together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yahtzee-croshaw/fifty-story-skyscrapers-stood-side-by-side-with-older-ten-story/) [Yahtzee Croshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yahtzee-croshaw/) > [In New York, the buildings are like mountains in some ways, but they are only alive because of the people living in them. Real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silas-house/in-new-york-the-buildings-are-like-mountains-in-some-ways-but-they/) [Silas House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silas-house/) > [“Abandoned buildings are like abandoned people. They grow bitter and start to keep bad company.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-welsh/abandoned-buildings-are-like-abandoned-people-they-grow-bitter-and/) Louise Welsh > [Songs are like my children, from the concept phase, to writing, to recording, then editing and all of the work that went into it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/granger-smith/songs-are-like-my-children-from-the-concept-phase-to-writing-to/) [Granger Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/granger-smith/) > [My songs are like my children - I expect them to support me when I'm old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/my-songs-are-like-my-children-i-expect-them-to-support-me-when-i-m-old/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [In a way, my paintings are like my children. They have many possibilities in life. You tell them, 'I believe that you're good and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norbert-bisky/in-a-way-my-paintings-are-like-my-children-they-have-many/) [Norbert Bisky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norbert-bisky/) > [I'm particularly interested in the public role that all buildings play. I believe that we architects should try to go beyond our basic obligations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/i-m-particularly-interested-in-the-public-role-that-all-buildings/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [The truth is I don't really know where my own interest in tall buildings really comes from. It cannot come from my hometown because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/the-truth-is-i-don-t-really-know-where-my-own-interest-in-tall/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [You’re always a kid around your parents… Unless they’re acting like children. Then you don’t get the chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/you-re-always-a-kid-around-your-parents-unless-they-re-acting-like/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [I think the best thing that you can do with your kids is to talk to them like they're human beings, not like they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-zimmer/i-think-the-best-thing-that-you-can-do-with-your-kids-is-to-talk-to/) [Constance Zimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-zimmer/) > [“He was self-assured without being cocky, friendly but not pushy, independent but in no way precocious. He was also exceptionally selfreliant, perfectly happy with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-vincenzi/he-was-self-assured-without-being-cocky-friendly-but-not-pushy/) [Penny Vincenzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-vincenzi/) > [“Dreams are like children. They want for attention if they are to flourish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-goff/dreams-are-like-children-they-want-for-attention-if-they-are-to/) J.D. Goff ## More by Cesar Pelli > [Too many architects are just trying to make all of their buildings look like a brand, and that may be good for business, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/too-many-architects-are-just-trying-to-make-all-of-their-buildings/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [When I started designing in school, I discovered that I had a knack for it. I fell completely in love with architecture, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/when-i-started-designing-in-school-i-discovered-that-i-had-a-knack/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [Construction is a matter of optimism; its a matter of facing the future with confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/construction-is-a-matter-of-optimism-its-a-matter-of-facing-the/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [I am a strong believer that as one moves toward the future, the strongest and clearest way to do it is if you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/i-am-a-strong-believer-that-as-one-moves-toward-the-future-the/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [Architecture adds dimensions to my life that would be impossible to acquire if I retired. The beautiful thing about architecture is that every project…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/architecture-adds-dimensions-to-my-life-that-would-be-impossible-to/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [I'm particularly interested in the public role that all buildings play. I believe that we architects should try to go beyond our basic obligations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/i-m-particularly-interested-in-the-public-role-that-all-buildings/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [The World Trade Center was for me not only out of scale vertically, but it was also out of scale in plan. It occupied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/the-world-trade-center-was-for-me-not-only-out-of-scale-vertically/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [I see my buildings as pieces of cities, and in my designs I try to make them into responsible and contributing citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/i-see-my-buildings-as-pieces-of-cities-and-in-my-designs-i-try-to/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [I had come from Los Angeles - I had been there a partner of Gruen Associates, a large Los Angeles firm - and when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/i-had-come-from-los-angeles-i-had-been-there-a-partner-of-gruen/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [I'd never known of an architect as a young man. I think there was only one architect in Tucuman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/i-d-never-known-of-an-architect-as-a-young-man-i-think-there-was-only/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [I'm a bad customer for my own buildings! If I'm choosing an apartment, I choose one about five or six stories high so that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/i-m-a-bad-customer-for-my-own-buildings-if-i-m-choosing-an-apartment/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [The Connecticut Center for Science and Exploration will be a building that will connect the excitement of science to the surrounding streets, river and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/the-connecticut-center-for-science-and-exploration-will-be-a-building/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [I always look forward to the next project. That is one of the wonderful things about architecture - you always can hope for another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/i-always-look-forward-to-the-next-project-that-is-one-of-the/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [When I finished high school, I was 16, and in Argentina you have to choose a career right after high school. There is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/when-i-finished-high-school-i-was-16-and-in-argentina-you-have-to/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) > [I'm a very good listener, and I'm not interested in having fights simply for a question of protocol or vanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/i-m-a-very-good-listener-and-i-m-not-interested-in-having-fights/) [Cesar Pelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) [Explore all 28 Cesar Pelli quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/) ## More Building quotes > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/you-of-canada-are-building-a-magnificent-record-of-achievement-my/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [One of the things the United States does well is building coalitions. What the U.S. knows is that if you don't have a coalition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/one-of-the-things-the-united-states-does-well-is-building-coalitions/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) > [Surely, if Mother Nature had been consulted, she would never have consented to building a city in New Orleans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-zuckerman/surely-if-mother-nature-had-been-consulted-she-would-never-have/) [Mortimer Zuckerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-zuckerman/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [Absolutely, you can improve and become better at toughness. It's a talent, but it can be acquired, too. I think of it like building…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harbaugh/absolutely-you-can-improve-and-become-better-at-toughness-it-s-a/) [Jim Harbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harbaugh/) > [ T\]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-building-it-s-not-a-preaching/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) > [I'd like to play Ian Paisley, actually. I'd need building up, though he's very frail now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-neeson/i-d-like-to-play-ian-paisley-actually-i-d-need-building-up-though-he/) [Liam Neeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-neeson/) > [Death is but an aspect of life, and the destruction of one material form is but a prelude to building up of another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/death-is-but-an-aspect-of-life-and-the-destruction-of-one-material/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some architects have a preconceived notion of what a building should be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-w-fentress/some-architects-have-a-preconceived-notion-of-what-a-building-should/) [Curtis W. Fentress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-w-fentress/) > [As for the forces, electromagnetism and gravity we experience in everyday life. But the weak and strong forces are beyond our ordinary experience. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-witten/as-for-the-forces-electromagnetism-and-gravity-we-experience-in/) [Edward Witten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-witten/) > [I'm 30. I'm about to hit my prime now. I need to act and keep building.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dillian-whyte/i-m-30-i-m-about-to-hit-my-prime-now-i-need-to-act-and-keep-building/) [Dillian Whyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dillian-whyte/) > [The essential functions of the mind consist in understanding and in inventing, in other words, in building up structures by structuring reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-piaget/the-essential-functions-of-the-mind-consist-in-understanding-and-in/) [Jean Piaget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-piaget/) > [Practically every time I speak up at a school conference, a political event, or my apartment building association's annual meeting, I'm met with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-druckerman/practically-every-time-i-speak-up-at-a-school-conference-a-political/) [Pamela Druckerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-druckerman/) Browse all 5,974 Building quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My buildings are like my children, so I cannot have favorites.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cesar Pelli" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/my-buildings-are-like-my-children-so-i-cannot-have-favorites/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Building" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/my-buildings-are-like-my-children-so-i-cannot-have-favorites/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bb/cesar-pelli-22141_building_my-buildings-are-like-my-children-so-i-c_417400.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bb/cesar-pelli-22141_building_my-buildings-are-like-my-children-so-i-c_417400.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bb/cesar-pelli-22141_building_my-buildings-are-like-my-children-so-i-c_417400.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My buildings are like my children, so I cannot have favorites.” — Cesar Pelli", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Cesar Pelli", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-pelli/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My buildings are like my children,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/my-buildings-are-like-my-children-so-i-cannot-have-favorites/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-pelli/my-buildings-are-like-my-children-so-i-cannot-have-favorites/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```