World-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind inspires us with his eternally optimistic world-view and powerfully uplifting story of being born into persecution, immigrating to “the promised land” of the U.S. and participating in the space race. As the architect responsible for the master plan of the World Trade Center site, he composes memory in order to heal the future. Oh and he’s got mad accordion skills.

Follow Daniel Libeskind's work at Libeskind.com as well as Instagram and Twitter.

Thank you to our sponsor Parachute Home.
To excel, sometimes you've got to venture bravely outside of your comfort-zone, right? That's why it's so important that when you return to your *actual* comfort zone, it's awesome. That's where Parachute Home comes in, with their dreamy bed sheets, bathrobes and towels... cozy and Clever-approved!

“Architecture is a language. It’s a language of words, it’s a language of light, it’s a language of, of temperature, it’s a language of acoustics, language of proportions, language of materials... and you can use that language to tell a story.”

Our talk with Daniel Libeskind was not only informative, but inspirational and moving. We wanted to keep the conversation going, so we asked him to share some more for our show notes:

What is your earliest memory?

Walking on the street of Lodz (Poland) bare foot in the snow.

What’s been your favorite project and why?

My work because…There is no why!

Jewish Museum in Berlin (aerial view). Photo © Guenter Schneider

What’s the best advice that you’ve ever gotten?

From my mother: “Don’t be impressed by authority”

How do you record your ideas?

Drawings

What book is on your nightstand?

Alejandro Zambra “Multiple Choice”

Why is authenticity in design important?

Because the true is true and lies are lies.

Favorite restaurant in your city?

Faun in Prospect Heights

Favorite song to play on the accordion?

Toccata in D Minor

What might we find on your desk right now?

A mess.

Who do you look up to and why?

The future because that is where it is happening.

What are the most recent songs you listened to?

Yasmin Levy, Shmuot
Skip James, Devil got my woman
Bob Dylan, Hurricane
Amalia Rodrigues, Barco Negro

Special thanks to Chris Modl of Yore Studio for editing this episode.
Music in this episode courtesy of El Ten Eleven—hear more on Bandcamp.
Shoutout to Jenny Rask for designing the Clever logo.

Keep Listening

Featured

Ep. 211: The Soulful Renovations of House of Rolison

Co-founders of House of Rolison, Amanda Leigh and Taylor Hahn, grew up on opposite coasts but were both self-described angsty teens. Both had a deep love for art and architecture, choosing different professional paths before they met online and their fates intertwined. Their first date turned into a road trip and then quarantine-based cohabitation. Since starting House of Rolison, they’ve renovated a number of forgotten old homes into warm, elegant, modern beauties. Their complementary strengths and deep reverence for their crafts and trades crew, ensures that each new project has room for magic and a whole lot of soul.

Ep. 210: Marva Griffin Wilshire on 25 years of SaloneSatellite and Showcasing Creativity

Frequently referred to as the godmother of Italian design, Marva Griffin Wilshire, grew up in a large family in Venezuela, reading House & Garden and rearranging the furniture. Drawn to Italy in the 1970’s, she landed a job as a secretary for Piero Busnelli, founder of B&B Italia, which opened up her entire world. She was introduced to architects and designers, getting a first-hand look at the inner workings of Italian design. Since then, she’s committed herself to giving young designers a chance to showcase their creativity – most notably by founding the wildly successful SaloneSatellite which welcomes emerging designers worldwide.

Ep. 209: Holly Howard on Business Growth for Creative Entrepreneurs

Polymath Holly Howard has lived many lives. A former professional ballet dancer, bassoonist, medical researcher and board-certified music therapist, she’s pulled from science, art, and design to create a one-of-a-kind path for herself. Now, she runs the successful culture-first business consultancy, Ask Holly How, to help creative entrepreneurs grow personally and professionally, and better understand that business and creativity are more powerful when wielded together.

Ep. 208: ICRAVE’s Lionel Ohayon on Designing the Las Vegas Sphere and Other Brave Ideas

Lionel Ohayon was born in Canada to a family spanning Morocco, Israel, and Spain. This multi-cultural upbringing armed him with the ability to synthesize different inputs and understand complex topics from an early age, and an innate appreciation of hospitality. He founded ICRAVE as a design-build startup in 2002, and several ground-breaking projects later, is now leading the charge in reinventing hospitality experiences like the immersive and otherworldly Las Vegas Sphere, and the anxiety-reducing Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Ep. 207: Creative Pep Talk’s Andy J. Pizza on ADHD, the Heroine’s Journey, & Invisible Things

Illustrator, graphic designer, speaker and picture book-maker Andy J. Pizza grew up in the Indiana suburbs, the child of two diametrically opposite parents - dad in corporate finance and mom an artist. Often feeling out of place, he learned to cope by drawing and smoking cigarettes, before finding indie music, and from there gig posters and graphic design. Now, he’s a wildly successful illustrator and beloved podcaster who remains exceptionally honest, open, and real about the inner workings of being a neurodivergent creative.

Ep. 23: Daniel Libeskind

Keep Listening

Hear every episode with one click.

Resources

Listen

Ep. 23: Daniel Libeskind

Keep Listening

Ep. 24: Mimi Plange

Ep. 22: Ghislaine Viñas

Hear every episode with one click.

Resources

Listen