Marc Salette founded Chee Salette Architecture Office in 2009 with the architect Tina Chee. Prior to founding CSAO, Mr. Salette worked at Gehry Partners for 20 years, and was in charge of projects including the Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi, the World Trade Center Performing Arts Center in New York City, the Brooklyn Atlantic Yards Master Plan, and the “Fred and Ginger” Office Building in Prague. Below, he sits down for our In The Green Room Q&A.
Q. Where would we find you at 10 a.m. on a typical Saturday?
A. With my daughter at the playground or the pool.
Q. What music have you listened to today?
A. None unfortunately. If I were to listen, I like classical and jazz.
Q. What do you consider to be the greatest simple pleasure?
A. Eating.
Q. What surprises you the most about your life right now?
A. That I’m not scared out of my mind, because I just started a new firm.
Q. What is your fondest childhood memory?
A. I grew up in the north of Quebec, so walking in the forest with my mom.
Q. What do you wish you had the nerve to do?
A. I wish I had the nerve to stop what I’m doing and write a book. I’ve been meaning to do that since I was young, but I don’t attempt it because then the dream will no longer be available to me.
Q. Who is your favorite fictional character?
A. My favorite author is Proust, and my favorite book is Remembrance of Things Past, so, the narrator.
Q. What is your favorite cocktail?
A. I prefer wine.
Q. When do you feel most creative?
A. When I’m under pressure.
Q. What profession would you like to practice in your next life?
A. Writing.
Q. If you could take only one more journey, where would you go?
A. Back to where I grew up.
Q. What is your most prized material possession?
A. Photographs I take.
Q. Who is the one person living or dead you would most like to meet for dinner?
A. Obama.
To read more about Salette’s panel on how to create a more integrated Los Angeles, click here.
*Photo by Aaron Salcido.