--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I attended a lecture by a gray-haired old…" description: "\"I attended a lecture by a gray-haired old man from Finland, who later I discovered was the architect Alvar Aalto. I was very moved. I wasn't interested..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/frank-gehry-2139_architect_i-attended-a-lecture-by-a-gray-haired-ol_1758364.png" --- # I attended a lecture by a gray-haired old man from… ![“I attended a lecture by a gray-haired old man from Finland, who later I discovered was the architect Alvar Aalto. I was very moved. I wasn't interested in architecture, but it was a moving thing I've never forgotten.” quote by Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/frank-gehry-2139_architect_i-attended-a-lecture-by-a-gray-haired-ol_1758364.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/frank-gehry-2139_architect_i-attended-a-lecture-by-a-gray-haired-ol_1758364.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/frank-gehry-2139_architect_i-attended-a-lecture-by-a-gray-haired-ol_1758364.png) > “I attended a lecture by a gray-haired old man from Finland, who later I discovered was the architect Alvar Aalto. I was very moved. I wasn't interested in architecture, but it was a moving thing I've never forgotten.” [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker was profoundly moved by an unexpected encounter with architect Alvar Aalto, highlighting how powerful personal experiences can transcend prior disinterest. **In simple terms:** A surprising encounter with a famous architect left a lasting emotional impact. Key Takeaway Seek moments that challenge your assumptions. Themes inspiration architecture personal growth Mood reflective nostalgic Type anecdotal inspirational When to use this quote - visits to architectural sites - art history classes - unexpected mentorship encounters Key Concepts Aesthetic appreciation legacy human connection Questions to Reflect On - What unexpected experiences have reshaped your interests? - How can you create space for serendipity? A Different Perspective Personal impact may fade without reflection or context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aalto Moved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aalto-moved-1670509/) [Architect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architect/) [Architecture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architecture/) [Attended Lecture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attended-lecture-1670508/) [Discovered Architect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovered-architect-1670510/) [Finland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finland/) [Forgotten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgotten/) [Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gray/) [Interested Architecture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interested-architecture-411022/) [Lecture Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lecture-gray-1670511/) [Lectures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lectures/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moved/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [Old man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-man/) ## Related quotes > [ Beauty isn't what I'm primarily interested in \[in architecture\]. I think appropriateness is more important. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rem-koolhaas/beauty-isn-t-what-i-m-primarily-interested-in-in-architecture-i-think/) [Rem Koolhaas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rem-koolhaas/) > [I'm very interested in architecture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/i-m-very-interested-in-architecture/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [I started to begin to be interested in architecture and design when I was 14 years old, which was pretty early in life. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/massimo-vignelli/i-started-to-begin-to-be-interested-in-architecture-and-design-when-i/) [Massimo Vignelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/massimo-vignelli/) > [I went from fashion to glass in 1995, and I'm very interested in architecture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rocha/i-went-from-fashion-to-glass-in-1995-and-i-m-very-interested-in/) [John Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rocha/) > [I have always been interested in the architecture of war, as can be seen in Bunker Archeology. However, at the time that I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-virilio/i-have-always-been-interested-in-the-architecture-of-war-as-can-be/) [Paul Virilio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-virilio/) > [My dad is a carpenter, a joiner, and I used to watch him make things. So I always imagined that I'd do something where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bailey/my-dad-is-a-carpenter-a-joiner-and-i-used-to-watch-him-make-things-so/) [Christopher Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bailey/) > [At a certain point, I got interested in set design for the theater. I was interested in architecture, but I was taking photographs at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-burger/at-a-certain-point-i-got-interested-in-set-design-for-the-theater-i/) [Neil Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-burger/) > [I am very interested in architecture. I've been asked if I'd ever direct, but me, I'd rather build. It's very similar to directing, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-pitt/i-am-very-interested-in-architecture-i-ve-been-asked-if-i-d-ever/) [Brad Pitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-pitt/) > [I want to explore my design philosophy in different mediums, and I'm very interested in architecture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rocha/i-want-to-explore-my-design-philosophy-in-different-mediums-and-i-m/) [John Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rocha/) > [I've become much more interested in architecture than I've ever been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-scher/i-ve-become-much-more-interested-in-architecture-than-i-ve-ever-been/) [Paula Scher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-scher/) > [I've got a furniture range with my wife, and I want to get into designing hotels and restaurants as well. We've got a big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sol-campbell/i-ve-got-a-furniture-range-with-my-wife-and-i-want-to-get-into/) [Sol Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sol-campbell/) > [As a student, I hadn't really been interested in architecture at all, but when I started teaching, it grew into me - rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-diller/as-a-student-i-hadn-t-really-been-interested-in-architecture-at-all/) [Elizabeth Diller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-diller/) > [Eventually, in '84, we made a film for a little over a million dollars - with American actors that was shot in English -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renny-harlin/eventually-in-84-we-made-a-film-for-a-little-over-a-million-dollars/) [Renny Harlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renny-harlin/) > [In Finland, we learned quite a lot from our own civil war. The wounds were visible when I was a boy, but my generation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harri-holkeri/in-finland-we-learned-quite-a-lot-from-our-own-civil-war-the-wounds/) [Harri Holkeri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harri-holkeri/) > [“There were few more unlikely candidates in 1611 for Great Power status than Sweden. Even with its satrapy of Finland, the total population numbered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-boot/there-were-few-more-unlikely-candidates-in-1611-for-great-power/) [Max Boot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-boot/) ## More by Frank Gehry > [I think my attitudes about the past are very traditional. You can't ignore history; you can't escape it even if you want to. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/i-think-my-attitudes-about-the-past-are-very-traditional-you-can-t/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [In Tokyo, London or Los Angeles people go into McDonald's and the restaurants are identical and people are comfortable. It's unthreatening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/in-tokyo-london-or-los-angeles-people-go-into-mcdonald-s-and-the/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [I'm inspired by a lot of stuff. I always was interested in sculpture and painting and music and literature and all those things. There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/i-m-inspired-by-a-lot-of-stuff-i-always-was-interested-in-sculpture/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [One of my greatest influences is the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/one-of-my-greatest-influences-is-the-italian-artist-gian-lorenzo/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [People live and work in uninspiring environments, but look inside those rooms. Look at the painted walls and the decorations. People rebel even in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/people-live-and-work-in-uninspiring-environments-but-look-inside/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [Childhood play is nothing more than an expression of our individuality and preparation for human interaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/childhood-play-is-nothing-more-than-an-expression-of-our/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [Ideas exist in the marketplace; they are thrown out for everyone to use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/ideas-exist-in-the-marketplace-they-are-thrown-out-for-everyone-to-use/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [Green issues have been used as a marketing tool. Sometimes these green claims are completely meaningless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/green-issues-have-been-used-as-a-marketing-tool-sometimes-these-green/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [There are a lot of questions about whether architecture is art. The people who ask that think pretty tract houses are architecture. But that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/there-are-a-lot-of-questions-about-whether-architecture-is-art-the/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [I used to read more when I was a kid than I do now. It was all sort of fuel for the fire to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/i-used-to-read-more-when-i-was-a-kid-than-i-do-now-it-was-all-sort-of/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [I found myself starting architecture with a deep social, Jewish, liberal conscience, and the belief that architecture is for the people. It was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/i-found-myself-starting-architecture-with-a-deep-social-jewish/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [The message I hope to have sent is just the example of being yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/the-message-i-hope-to-have-sent-is-just-the-example-of-being-yourself/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [The whole can be greater than the sum of it's parts, that we all have something to put in the pie to make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/the-whole-can-be-greater-than-the-sum-of-it-s-parts-that-we-all-have/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [I used to sketch - that's the way I thought out loud. Then they made a book of my sketches, and I got self-conscious,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/i-used-to-sketch-that-s-the-way-i-thought-out-loud-then-they-made-a/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [Bilbao opened in 1997. It was only ten years later that I was asked to do another museum. A lot of other people got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/bilbao-opened-in-1997-it-was-only-ten-years-later-that-i-was-asked-to/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) [Explore all 183 Frank Gehry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) ## More Architect quotes > [When I am asked what I believe in, I say that I believe in architecture. Architecture is the mother of the arts. I like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-meier/when-i-am-asked-what-i-believe-in-i-say-that-i-believe-in/) [Richard Meier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-meier/) > [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/) > [Whether that's speaking up in your job or asking for a promotion or saying, 'I think I can do that.' Using your voice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/whether-that-s-speaking-up-in-your-job-or-asking-for-a-promotion-or/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [When it comes to getting things done, we need fewer architects and more bricklayers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-it-comes-to-getting-things-done-we-need-fewer-architects-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Architects mostly work for privileged people, people who have money and power, Power and money are invisible, so people hire us to visualize their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shigeru-ban/architects-mostly-work-for-privileged-people-people-who-have-money/) [Shigeru Ban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shigeru-ban/) > [I was the chairman of the Budget Committee and the lead architect the last time it happened in Washington, and when we did it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kasich/i-was-the-chairman-of-the-budget-committee-and-the-lead-architect-the/) [John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kasich/) > [The architect is very interesting because the architect is the commander, meaning the one who commands all the workers. The architect is also the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-architect-is-very-interesting-because-the-architect-is-the/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [The pursuit of peace resembles the building of a great cathedral. It is the work of a generation. In concept it requires a mater-architect;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-h-humphrey/the-pursuit-of-peace-resembles-the-building-of-a-great-cathedral-it/) [Hubert H. Humphrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-h-humphrey/) > [Yes, Garnett Grey was an Architect. Were a psychoanalyst to approach him from behind, tap his shoulder, and say 'Humanity,' Garrett'd spin and respond,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-kidd/yes-garnett-grey-was-an-architect-were-a-psychoanalyst-to-approach/) [Chip Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-kidd/) > [The challenge of today's generation of architects is the environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-ross-barney/the-challenge-of-today-s-generation-of-architects-is-the-environment/) [Carol Ross Barney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-ross-barney/) > [I stand on this rostrum with a sense of deep humility and great pride - humility in the weight of those great American architects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-macarthur/i-stand-on-this-rostrum-with-a-sense-of-deep-humility-and-great-pride/) [Douglas MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-macarthur/) > [Architects in the past have tended to concentrate their attention on the building as a static object. I believe dynamics are more important: the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/architects-in-the-past-have-tended-to-concentrate-their-attention-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was the chairman of the House Budget Committee and one of the chief architects the last time we balanced a budget, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kasich/i-was-the-chairman-of-the-house-budget-committee-and-one-of-the-chief/) [John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kasich/) > [No matter what an architect may be at home, he becomes a monumentalist when he comes to Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ada-louise-huxtable/no-matter-what-an-architect-may-be-at-home-he-becomes-a-monumentalist/) [Ada Louise Huxtable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ada-louise-huxtable/) > [As an architect you design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-foster/as-an-architect-you-design-for-the-present-with-an-awareness-of-the/) [Norman Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-foster/) [Browse all 836 Architect quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architect/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I attended a lecture by a gray-haired old man from Finland, who later I discovered was the architect Alvar Aalto. I was very moved. I wasn't interested in architecture, but it was a moving thing I've never forgotten.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Frank Gehry" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/i-attended-a-lecture-by-a-gray-haired-old-man-from-finland-who-later/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Architect" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/i-attended-a-lecture-by-a-gray-haired-old-man-from-finland-who-later/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/frank-gehry-2139_architect_i-attended-a-lecture-by-a-gray-haired-ol_1758364.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/frank-gehry-2139_architect_i-attended-a-lecture-by-a-gray-haired-ol_1758364.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/frank-gehry-2139_architect_i-attended-a-lecture-by-a-gray-haired-ol_1758364.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I attended a lecture by a gray-haired old man from Finland, who later I discovered was the architect Alvar…” — Frank Gehry", "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": "Frank Gehry", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I attended a lecture by a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/i-attended-a-lecture-by-a-gray-haired-old-man-from-finland-who-later/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/i-attended-a-lecture-by-a-gray-haired-old-man-from-finland-who-later/#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 } } ] } ```