The Tools of a Visionary: Tom Kundig on the Objects That Shape His World

6 hours ago7 min read3 comments

The artifacts a person chooses to keep close are more than mere possessions; they are a curated autobiography. For acclaimed architect Tom Kundig, founder of Olson Kundig, a select group of items—from a rugged cowboy hat to the elemental simplicity of a pencil—forms a tangible manifesto of the principles that define his work.Each object is a chapter in a story of grit, authenticity, and a profound dialogue with the physical world. The cowboy hat is not just headwear but an emblem of a hands-on, American spirit, its worn surface a testament to a life engaged with the landscape, mirroring the weathered steel and raw materiality that characterize his architectural masterpieces.Similarly, the Jeep Wrangler serves as his vessel for exploration, a tool for immersing himself in the untamed environments that fuel his designs, prioritizing utility and experience over luxury and appearance. This connection between person and object is a powerful reinforcement of identity.For a creator like Kundig, these are his anchors, physical touchstones that recall his core values beyond the studio. The pencil, in its humble grace, is perhaps the most revealing.In an age of digital precision, it represents the primal spark of creativity—the immediate, unmediated connection between idea and execution. It signifies that beneath the complex engineering of his buildings lies a foundation of hand-drawn thought.Complementing these tools of his trade is the seal sculpture, a piece of art made by another. Its presence reveals an essential truth about Kundig’s process: that inspiration is drawn from a wide spectrum of creativity, and great design is part of an ongoing conversation with other artists.To examine these cherished objects is to see that for Tom Kundig, there is no division between life and work. The materials and ethos that animate his architecture are the very same that he lives by, building not just structures, but resonant habitats for the human experience.

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