As a child, I always enjoyed building forts by stringing up bed sheets and clothes. I continue to be inspired by makeshift structures, including my own kids' forts and temporary architecture of all sorts.

In this nostalgic and insightful quote, Janet Echelman, an internationally acclaimed artist known for her large-scale, floating aerial sculptures, shares the early roots of her creative inspiration. She recalls her childhood love for building forts out of bed sheets and clothes, a simple and imaginative form of makeshift architecture. This memory reveals how the joy of creating space, even in its most improvised form, can spark a lifelong fascination with form, structure, and shelter.

Echelman's admiration for temporary architecture extends into her professional work, where she creates vast, net-like installations suspended in public spaces. These structures are often ephemeral, responding to wind, light, and movement—qualities that echo the fluidity and spontaneity of children's forts. By referencing her own kids’ forts, she reinforces the idea that improvised spaces, born out of play and necessity, hold a raw, creative energy that continues to inspire her practice.

Her quote also speaks to the broader power of temporary and informal design. While traditional architecture is often permanent and rigid, makeshift structures can be adaptive, lightweight, and deeply personal. Echelman values this kind of architecture not just for its function, but for its ability to express immediacy, ingenuity, and human emotion. These qualities challenge conventional notions of what architecture should be.

Ultimately, Echelman's reflection reveals how profound ideas can emerge from the humble experiences of childhood. Her work bridges the gap between art and architecture, demonstrating that inspiration can come from the simplest of materials and the most spontaneous acts of creation. Through this lens, the act of hanging a bed sheet becomes a poetic gesture—one that continues to influence her innovative, sky-bound designs.