The Tools and Totems of Tom Kundig: A Glimpse Into the Architect's World

3 hours ago7 min read

The objects an architect keeps close are never merely possessions; they are the physical manifestations of a creative philosophy. For Tom Kundig, founder and principal of the celebrated firm Olson Kundig, his chosen artifacts—from a rugged cowboy hat to a trusty Jeep Wrangler—provide a direct line into the mind of a designer whose work is revered for its raw, kinetic, and deeply sensory connection to place.This is more than a list of favorite things; it is an intimate portrait of how personal emblems shape a professional language. Kundig’s architectural signature, often termed ‘industrial artisan,’ is intensely physical, featuring massive, operable elements like steel wheels and shutters that demand interaction with the environment.This aesthetic is no accident. The cowboy hat reflects a rugged, hands-on individualism synonymous with the American West, mirroring the way his structures seem to emerge organically from wild, dramatic landscapes.The Jeep Wrangler, a vehicle of pure function and freedom, is built for the rough terrain that often hosts his projects, revealing a creator who doesn’t just design for nature but actively engages with it. Even the humble pencil, a tool Kundig favors, carries profound meaning.In an era dominated by digital design, the persistence of the analog sketch underscores a fundamental, human-scale connection to the act of creation—the first physical mark before an idea becomes a monumental form. Together, these objects weave a narrative of materiality, authenticity, and motion.A mention of a seal sculpture, for example, points to a fascination with fluid, organic shapes and the natural world, a theme that permeates his work where the line between the built and the natural is intentionally softened. To truly grasp Kundig’s architecture, one must first appreciate this personal ecosystem of tools and totems. They are not just favorite items; they are the essential, tangible components of a creative process that champions visceral experience and a profound, elemental dialogue between people and their habitat.

#Tom Kundig

#architect

#Olson Kundig

#favorite things

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