Architect and dean of the Yale School of Architecture, Deborah Berke talks engaging with art and culture, lacking an architectural signature and her love of repetition for this iteration of the Proust Questionnaire.

Who is your favorite living architect?

I'm a dean, so I can't play favorites.

Who is your favorite dead architect?

We've had the good fortune to transform old buildings by some of the American greats, including Albert Kahn, Louis Kahn, McKim, Mead & White, HH Richardson, and Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, the architects of the Empire State Building. So it depends on what we're working on at the time. I'd add Eero Saarinen to my list of favorites as well. 

How would you describe the personality of your practice?

Intelligent, artful, collaborative, far-sighted, consistent—no diva behavior. My partners and I love what we do and we like working with each other and our clients.

What is your practice's main weakness?

I think we approach architecture differently than many well-known firms. We make great buildings and spaces, but it's not about our personalities, it's about the projects. I think people sometimes expect a signature, but that's not what we're about.

What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?

I like buildings that have a strong relationship to their surroundings. We pay a lot of attention to the relationship between indoors and out. Sometimes that's a wide-open view and a place to be outside. Sometimes it's a slice of sky.

What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?

Pretentiousness.

What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?

Gracious creativity.

What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?

There are a lot of egos in this field, but for the most part, the architects I know are collegial and respectful of each other—and that's a good thing.

What is your favorite type of projects to work on?

We love working on projects that engage with art and culture, so galleries, art studios, art schools, performing art centers, and our art-centric hotels.

What does architectural happiness mean?

There's nothing better than cutting a ribbon and seeing satisfied clients. We also love bringing life back to neglected places. That's part of why we love working with old buildings.

What does architectural misery mean?

I've been in this business for a long time, so I've gotten a thicker skin over the years, but it's always heartbreaking when a project that you really believe in doesn't move forward. Part of being an architect is a desire to bring things into the world, to the city, to the landscape, for people to use and enjoy. There's a moment of mourning when a project dies, but there's no time to sit on your hands.

Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?

I went to Japan last year with my husband and daughter. It was thrilling for me in so many ways, so I'll say Japan.

What is your favorite color?

Yale Blue, of course.

What is your favorite flower?

Peonies—masses of them.

What is your favorite bird?

I don't have a favorite bird, I like the colors of the feathers birds reveal when they fly.

Who is your favorite poet?

Walt Whitman.

Who is your favorite artist?

That's too singular a question, and right now for me there are too many artists whose work I find inspirational to name.

When do you lie?

Never say never, but almost never and as rarely as possible. I hope most people would say I'm a pretty candid soul.

What talent would you most like to have?

We work with a lot of performing art schools and I am always impressed by the students. I wish I had musical talent and the ability to play an instrument.

What architectural strategies do you most overuse?

Well, I love repetition, because it can make something ordinary into something beautiful and interesting. So perhaps repetition (overuse by design)!

How would you like to die?

In good mental and physical shape, at a very old age and in my bed.