Gaudi on man as co-creator

"One of his most significant statements... is that creation continues through the involvement of men, since it is not men that create, but through investigation discover the laws of nature and with them continue the work of their Creator. It doesn't involve inviting anything new, but rather studying what already exists and trying to improve on it."

-Gaudi: The Entire Works

This reminds me of Tolkien's view of man as sub-creator. Also, I like the deep continuity it gives to nature and culture. Culture (done right) is the continuation of nature.

The editor of the book also notes that Gaudi's favorite book on architecture was "the tree he could see through the window of his studio."