The Grand Tourist with Dan Rubinstein Tom Kundig: Making Memories With Architecture
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Oct 15, 2025 Tom Kundig, a renowned American architect and principal of Olson Kundig, shares his insights into the world of kinetic architecture. He discusses the unique 'gizmos' in his designs that blend raw materials with nature, making buildings move and engage occupants. Kundig reflects on his upbringing influenced by his modernist father and his journey from geophysics to architecture. He emphasizes the emotional experience of balancing refuge and prospect in home design and previews exciting upcoming projects, including his latest book.
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Make Touchpoints Memorable
- Enlarging tactile moments in a building makes them unforgettable and personal.
- Memorable mechanics turn ordinary actions into lasting memories.
Swiss Modernism In Spokane
- Kundig's father, Moritz, trained at ETH Zurich and influenced Spokane's modernist scene.
- Tom absorbed the cross-pollination of artists and architects in his small community upbringing.
A Childhood Between Two Countries
- Kundig's first language was Swiss German and his family moved back to Switzerland when he was four.
- That early transatlantic childhood memory remained deeply formative.