I.M. Pei

Posted September 23, 2008, 6:51 pm in Arts

I.M. Pei
Born: April 26,1917

I.M. Pei

Pritzker Prize-winning architect; doyen of Modernism. The Chinese-born Pei, who became an American citizen in 1954, designed the glass pyramids in front of the Louvre, the iconic Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, and New York City's Javits Center. At age 69 (1986), he received the Medal of Liberty from President Ronald Reagan.

After the Age of Seventy

Has designed 26 major projects since turning 70 including museums in Luxembourg, Berlin, Suzhou, and Qatar
Has designed 15 major projects since turning 80
Maintains an office in the firm he founded, Pei Cobb Freed and Partners, though he retired in 1990.

Quotes:

"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity."
"I like simplicity, but at the same time I don't like monotony. So, therefore, the question arises, how can you reconcile the two?"
"It is not an individual act, architecture. You have to consider your client. Only out of that can you produce great architecture. You cannot work in the abstract"