I like to be surrounded by books. My wife Evelyn has a Ph.D. in comparative literature, so we have a lot of her Spanish and German literature books which are wasted on me, plus a lot of novels and books on art and architecture shared by us both. Evelyn used to edit an art magazine called 'FMR,' so we have a common interest in design.

David Chipperfield’s quote, “I like to be surrounded by books. My wife Evelyn has a Ph.D. in comparative literature, so we have a lot of her Spanish and German literature books which are wasted on me, plus a lot of novels and books on art and architecture shared by us both. Evelyn used to edit an art magazine called 'FMR,' so we have a common interest in design,” offers a glimpse into the personal and intellectual environment that informs his creative life. The quote highlights how literature, art, and architecture—though from different disciplines—form an interconnected world of ideas in his household.

The origin of this quote lies in Chipperfield’s reflections on his domestic life and how it supports and enriches his professional pursuits. As a world-renowned architect celebrated for projects like the Neues Museum in Berlin and the Museo Jumex in Mexico City, Chipperfield draws on a wide range of cultural influences, not just architectural theory. The presence of his wife Evelyn’s literary background and their shared collection of design and art books underscores his belief that creative inspiration often comes from outside architecture—through reading, conversation, and visual culture.

His lighthearted comment about the literature being “wasted on me” is both humorous and humble, acknowledging the richness of his wife's intellectual domain, while also reinforcing the idea that cross-disciplinary exposure—even when not fully understood—can still nurture creativity. Books, for Chipperfield, are more than reference materials; they are part of a cultural atmosphere that shapes his sensitivity to space, aesthetic decisions, and broader design philosophy.

Ultimately, this quote emphasizes the importance of shared interests and cultural dialogue in a creative life. Chipperfield’s connection with Evelyn, and their mutual love for design, art, and literature, becomes a source of depth and perspective in his architectural work. It reinforces the idea that great architecture is not produced in isolation, but in intellectual ecosystems where different fields intersect, challenge, and inspire one another.