Instead of architects talking about their designs, this volume puts clients in the spotlight - namely Frederick Samitaur Smith, responsible for the renewal of Culver City, Los Angeles; Thomas Krens, the Director of the Guggenheim Foundation; and Rolf Fehlbaum, the Director of Vitra. It sheds light on the tricky balance of power between the architect and the client, focusing on these three visionaries who commissioned buildings which later turned into architectural icons of our century.