You might recall, in October 2007, AIGA/NY delivered Proust questionnaires to modern icons Wim Crouwel and Massimo Vignelli. Both said they’d choose to come back as architects in another life.

The Glass House Visitors Center (image from Pentagram)

Crouwel and Vignelli spoke to the permanence of architecture and the importance with which it is imbued. “If only…” I think to myself, “graphic designers had that kind of power and influence.”

James Biber, architect and partner at Pentagram, reveals that it’s probably more complex and nuanced than that. I asked Biber about the challenge of working with graphic designers.

Which project of yours has been especially difficult?

Our own office. It’s the hardest project I have ever done.

Is it difficult to express architectural ideas with graphic design collaborators?

I spend more time than I would like to excusing the behavior of architects. They can be a difficult lot.

What do enjoy most about working with designers across disciplinary lines?

They are usually smarter than I am. It’s good to play tennis with better players.

Looking forward to Biber’s upcoming Small Talk, I was curious about his own experience with lectures.

Do you recall a presentation that’s had a lasting impact on you?

I remember Philiip Johnson and I.M. Pei on a panel with David Rockefeller, discussing architecture and their careers. The true balance of power became abundantly clear when David Rockefeller began a sentence with “when Father donated the land for the Unitied Nations”

This Wednesday, James Biber speaks on the intersection of architecture and graphic design, including his work on the Visitors Center for Philip Johnson’s Glass House and many other projects.

The event is sold out, but there may be seats available for on-site registration. They’re first-come-first-served, so hesitate not!

For event information and location, click here