Ability Quote by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
“Never talk to a client about architecture. Talk to him about his children. That is simply good politics. He will not understand what you have to say about architecture most of the time. An architect of ability should be able to tell a client what he wants. Most of the time a client never knows what he wants.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Architecture and Client Relations, 1935
Focus on personal concerns rather than technical details to build rapport and guide clients toward their true needs.
In simple terms: Talk about people, not just design, to understand client desires.
Key Takeaway
Use empathy to uncover underlying client goals.
Themes
communication
empathy
design
Mood
thoughtful
pragmatic
Type
advice
professional
When to use this quote
- initial consultations
- project pitches
- team meetings
- marketing strategies
Key Concepts
client psychology
architectural practice
Questions to Reflect On
- How to translate personal stories into design?
- What questions reveal hidden preferences?
A Different Perspective
Clients may still resist abstract concepts.
![“[In art], less is more.” quote by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ca0/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe-7536_art_in-art-less-is-more-430449_430449.jpg)
