The Tools and Talismans: Architect Tom Kundig on the Objects That Shape His World

6 hours ago7 min read1 comments

To understand the work of architect Tom Kundig is to look past the blueprints and into the objects that form his world. The principal of the acclaimed firm Olson Kundig reveals a design philosophy rooted in tactile experience and dynamic engagement through a curated selection of his favorite things.It begins with his weathered cowboy hat—a symbol of an unpretentious, practical American vernacular that deeply informs his architectural ethos. This isn't mere ownership; it's a portable piece of his belief system.His Jeep Wrangler speaks to a similar principle: a vehicle built for direct, unforgiving interaction with the landscape, mirroring the kinetic, transformative elements—like hand-cranked wheels and industrial gears—that define his buildings. Kundig discusses a simple pencil with the reverence of a master craftsman, championing the fundamental, human act of drawing by hand as an irreplaceable connection between thought and creation.This is not a rejection of technology, but a celebration of the soul found in slight imperfections. Perhaps most revealing is a smooth seal sculpture, whose organic form provides a deliberate counterpoint to the rugged, industrial aesthetic for which he is known.This object highlights a critical duality in his thinking—a space where the raw and the refined, the powerful and the poetic, coexist. From the rocky integration of The Pierre residence to the monumental pivoting window of the Chicken Point Cabin, Kundig’s architecture choreographs a resident's relationship with nature. His favorite objects are the tools, talismans, and inspirations for a man who builds spaces that are at once monumental and intimately, profoundly human.

#Tom Kundig

#architect

#Olson Kundig

#design

#interview

#personal favorites

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