“I am inspired by architects who address the entire gamut of design, from buildings to the smallest artifacts they contain. When I was in school, I thought that was what architects did,” says Michael Graves. “Therefore, I’m astonished that some people think our broad-ranging design practice is unusual.” Indeed, at any one time his staff of more than 100 is working on planning, architecture and interiors as well as product and graphic design. “We’re interested in making good design available to the widest possible audience. It’s essential to the quality of life on many levels,” he says. “We want our designs to be beautiful and also to work well. For a building to be lived in comfortably or a product to be used and appreciated, its design and function need to be familiar and easily understood.”

For Graves, the architectural language is a continuum, from ancient times to the present. “In the last decade we’ve started to see an increased emphasis on the well-being of our natural environment, which translates into ideas of sustainability and energy efficiency in architecture,” he explains. What excites him most these days is Solutions, the latest addition to the Michael Graves brand, which takes his practice of designing for accessibility a step further to consider how those with mobility challenges live and work. “We hope Solutions will be an inspiration and help to others, solving problems and improving the quality of life for everyone.”

Michael Graves

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