Quotes by Heydar Ghiaï, Architect:

-        Architecture is not architecture beyond seven floors.

-        Proportion is not only a principle of architecture; it is a principle of life.

-        A true teacher of architecture should bring out the best work of each student in the direction chosen by that student.

-        Rhythm in architecture is always beautiful.

-        I am convinced that architecture is not simply an engineering problem, but an invitation from imagination to poetry.

-        Certain rhythms belong to sight through the filter of the heart.

-        I have submitted all elements of my creation to the essential law, the solar law.

-        What is important in a wall is not so much what it hides as what it what it opens to. And it always should open to hope as   the sun always reappears through the clouds.

 Advices from Heydar Ghiaï to his architecture students:

-        Remember that architecture has its own trends, don’t be a purist.

-        Architecture is also a business.

-        Everything starts with sketching, and sketching loosely with emotion and vagueness.

-        All is presentation.

-        Your presentations should have balance and composition.

-        An architect who never builds is like a lover who makes imaginary love.

-        As architects, we always start with a croquis (sketch), then we overlay hundreds of tracings and create many variants. But  somehow, we always come back to the original sketch. Same in life.

-        All starts with the plan.

-        When designing, always imagine yourself living in the spaces within.

-        What matters is not the gold itself, but knowing how to use the magic wand that turns all into gold.

-        One should be capable of kissing the hand of one’s emperor as well as kissing the hand of a beggar. This helps you keep  your head from getting too big.

-        When you wake up each morning, make sure you have something to look forward to.

-         Respect intellectuals and artists above all, they are the true nobility.

-        Put as much effort in presenting yourself as you do presenting your project.

-        One should only learn once.

-        Technology is not an end to itself, but rather a tool. And one should always embrace technological progress.

-        My life advice to you is to wake up no later than 7 every morning.

-        An architect’s office is like a theatre. Full of intense moments but also full of silent moments.

-        Always accept small projects, no matter how large your firm should be, it keeps your employees busy in between large projects.

-        An architect has no country and no religion.

-        Inspiration can come from anything, I once got inspired by a bar of soap in a supermarket.

 Advice from Heydar Ghiaï to his children:

-        No matter how dire your financial standing, always show that you are rich.

-        Know that true generosity is not giving money away, but to sacrifice your time for others.

-        If you do not want to be alone, you need to invite people without expecting reciprocation.

-        A successful life is a life that has a program.

-        Always be respectful of ladies.

-        The time of trophy wives has passed; a woman has to work and is worthy of the same respect as a man. Only if a woman  works can she be equal to a man.

-        I always dreamed of having a daughter. My sons; should you have a daughter, I want you to give her to me.

-        If you decide to be architects, you should also be developers.

-        Work very hard, but set time aside for vacation even at the risk of missing on business opportunities.

-        Manage your family as an economy; there are recessions and booms. Tighten family finances for a couple of years, then let  loose for a couple of years.

-        You need to create a persona for yourself, its called marketing.

-        Hobbies are vital to success, intellectual, artistic as well as sports.

-        Do not forget that life is not only matter it is also spirit. Study mysticism, Sufism and be a dervish. Yet, stay away from dogma and religion.

-        No matter what you do in life, in architecture as in life, be an original and avoid mediocrity.

-        In today’s world, if one is not in business with one another, one loses touch with each other.

-        Learn from everyone, even a child can teach you an important lesson.