The Objects That Define an Architect: Tom Kundig on Tools, Talismans, and a Tactile World

20 hours ago7 min read4 comments

The objects a person keeps close are more than possessions; they form a material autobiography, a narrative more revealing than any resume. For Tom Kundig, the celebrated founder and principal of Olson Kundig, discussing his favorite things offers a profound look into the mind of an architect renowned for creating spaces that are raw, kinetic, and deeply tactile.His choices are not a simple list but a reflection of the core philosophy that drives his iconic work. Consider his cowboy hat, weathered by sun and wind.It is less an accessory and more a statement—a symbol of a life lived in dialogue with the elements, embodying an American pragmatism and romance that rejects the sterile in favor of the authentic. This is the same ethos that shapes designs like The Pierre, a home carved into a rocky San Juan Islands outcropping that feels as though it was discovered, not built.His Jeep Wrangler serves as a kindred spirit to his architectural vision. Much like the massive, hand-cranked wheels that operate walls in his houses, the Jeep is a utilitarian machine for engagement.It is rugged, direct, and unpretentious—a mobile tool for exploring the landscape, mirroring his belief that design should connect us to the world, not shield us from it. Then there is the pencil.In an era dominated by digital renders, this humble instrument represents the primacy of the initial idea, the fundamental connection between hand and mind. It is a democratic tool that, in Kundig's grasp, becomes the origin point for structures that feel both monumental and intimately human.A mention of a seal sculpture reveals another layer: a mind that draws inspiration from the fluid, organic forms of nature. This deep observational curiosity is foundational, where the flow of a river might inform a roofline, or the texture of bark might be echoed in a concrete wall.To see Tom Kundig through these objects is to understand that for him, architecture is not a discipline separate from life—it is life itself, translated into space and form. It lives in the feel of a cold steel handle, the resonant sound of a heavy door closing, and the specific way light falls on a concrete floor. These are not mere things; they are the essential tools and talismans of a creator dedicated to forging a world that is more honest, more tactile, and more deeply connected to the raw beauty of the natural world and our experience within it.

#Tom Kundig

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#Olson Kundig

#favorite things

#sculpture

#cowboy hat

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