I don't think architecture should be considered as an art form in the first instance. Whenever I say that, it makes people really angry. But this is a very political profession in the Grecian sense. I believe there have to be reasons for every building, and that the ideas should not be self-referential.

In this provocative quote, James Polshek, a respected American architect and former dean of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, challenges the common perception of architecture as primarily an art form. He argues that architecture should not be viewed solely through the lens of aesthetic expression or personal creativity. While this view may anger some who see architecture as part of the fine arts, Polshek emphasizes that it is, first and foremost, a practical and civic discipline, deeply intertwined with social responsibility and public life.

Polshek refers to architecture as a “very political profession in the Grecian sense,” alluding to the classical Greek idea of politics as the art of managing and shaping the life of the community. In this view, architecture plays a fundamental role in civic engagement, public service, and the ethical structuring of space. He implies that architects have a duty not just to express themselves, but to respond meaningfully to the needs of society, including its environmental, cultural, and social challenges.

By stating that “there have to be reasons for every building,” Polshek underscores the importance of purpose-driven design. He critiques architecture that is self-referential, meaning driven by internal theories or stylistic ego rather than by the context, function, or people it serves. For him, the true value of a building lies not in how well it reflects the architect’s personal style, but in how effectively it contributes to the public realm and meets real human needs.

Ultimately, Polshek’s quote is a call for architectural integrity—a reminder that architecture should be rooted in reason, function, and social conscience. While it can and often does achieve artistic beauty, its foundation must be grounded in responsibility, not just self-expression. His perspective aligns with a broader tradition of ethical modernism, in which design is seen not just as a visual or formal exercise, but as a meaningful and moral act within the fabric of society.