Accidents Quote by Willa Cather
“Setting ... is accident. Either a building is part of a place, or it is not. Once that kinship is there, time will only make it stronger.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather, 1915
A building’s identity is defined by its relationship to its surroundings; that bond deepens over time.
In simple terms: Buildings belong to places; time strengthens that link.
Design with context in mind.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- historic preservation
- new construction
- community development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a structure reflect its environment?
- What happens when context changes?
If a building ignores its context, it may feel alienated.