Batteries Quote by Rem Koolhaas
“Each building has to be beautiful, but cheap and fast, but it lasts forever. That is already an incredible battery of seemingly contradictory demands. So yes, I'm definitely perhaps contradictory person, but I operate in very contradictory times.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview with Rem Koolhaas, 2015
Balancing beauty, cost, speed, and durability creates paradoxical design challenges that reflect modern contradictions.
In simple terms: Design must juggle opposite goals.
Key Takeaway
Embrace contradictions in design planning.
Themes
architecture
design
paradox
efficiency
longevity
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- product development
- construction management
Key Concepts
sustainability
aesthetics
economics
timeliness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can designers prioritize when goals conflict?
- What trade‑offs are acceptable for lasting impact?
A Different Perspective
Balancing all demands may compromise quality in one area.
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