The Tools and Talismans That Shape Tom Kundig's Architectural World

15 hours ago7 min read1 comments

For Tom Kundig, the acclaimed architect and principal of Olson Kundig, the objects he surrounds himself with are more than possessions; they are essential tools and profound talismans that inform his entire design philosophy. Each item tells a story of function, memory, and a deep connection to the physical world.His cowboy hat, for example, is not a simple accessory but a record of the elements, having been shaped by the same sun and storms that define the rugged landscapes central to his work. This reverence for the elemental is a constant thread, whether he's discussing the captured motion in a seal sculpture or the fundamental utility of a pencil—the primary instrument that gives first form to the grand ideas in his mind.His preference for a Jeep Wrangler is equally telling. It is chosen not for luxury, but for its capability as a tool for direct immersion.The vehicle provides access, allowing him to engage with the raw terrain that will ultimately inspire the steel, concrete, and glass of his kinetic buildings. This curated collection of objects—the hat, the sculpture, the pencil, the Jeep—serves as a key to understanding Kundig's architectural soul.They reveal a core belief that authentic design is not a superficial application, but an organic outgrowth from a place's history, materials, and environment. His internationally recognized work, famous for its massive, hand-operated wheels and pulleys that allow structures to dynamically respond to the weather, is a direct extension of this hands-on, visceral approach.A conversation with Kundig about his favorite things feels less like an interview and more like a tour of a master craftsman's workshop. He embodies a rare synthesis of artist and engineer, visionary and practical builder. In an age increasingly dominated by the digital and ephemeral, his steadfast devotion to the tactile, the weathered, and the authentically functional is a powerful testament to the enduring human need to create spaces and objects that are not just seen, but deeply felt and lived in.

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