The Objects That Define an Architect: Tom Kundig on His Cowboy Hat, Jeep, and Creative Tools

19 hours ago7 min read2 comments

To understand an architect, look not just at their buildings, but at the objects they hold dear. For Tom Kundig, founder and principal of the acclaimed firm Olson Kundig, his cherished possessions—a weathered cowboy hat, a utilitarian Jeep Wrangler, a simple pencil, and a seal sculpture—form a mosaic of his design philosophy.These are not mere belongings; they are the tangible expressions of a mind that celebrates materiality, mechanics, and a direct connection to the natural world. The cowboy hat, molded by sun and rain, is a testament to a functional, enduring American individualism.It reflects the same rugged landscape that informs his architecture, where buildings are designed to engage with the elements. The Jeep, with its exposed hinges and straightforward engineering, is a direct relative of the celebrated 'gizmos' in Kundig's houses—those elegant mechanical systems of levers and pulleys that transform a solid wall into a moving, living part of the environment.He designs not just structures, but instruments for experiencing a place. In an era of digital complexity, the humble pencil remains his primary tool for ideation, connecting him to a lineage of craftsmen for whom the hand and the material are inextricably linked.This deliberate, physical act of drawing stands in quiet defiance of rapid-click design culture. Finally, the seal sculpture reveals the other dimension of his creativity: a focus on contemplative form, texture, and the inspiration drawn from the natural world.Together, these objects are a psychological blueprint. They are the active participants in his life and work, serving as touchstones for his core belief that both a building and a life should be authentic, responsive, and profoundly connected to the world they inhabit.

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