I.M. Pei was a renowned Chinese-American architect born in 1917. He studied architecture in the United States and went on to design many iconic structures throughout the world. Some of his most famous works include the glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre museum in Paris and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Massachusetts. Now in his nineties, Pei continues to design innovative buildings using geometric shapes and glass facades.

1. I. M. PEI
ARCHITECT (1917-2019)

2. CONTENTS
Quick Facts
Early Life
Design
Philosophy
Works
Recent Projects
Awards
Bibliography

3. QUICK FACTS
: April 26, 1917 (age
97)
: Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Harvard
University
: Canton,
Guangzhou, China
: Ieoh Ming Pei

4. I. M. Pei was born in China on April 26, 1917. In 1935 he began studying
architecture in the United States and eventually earned his B.A. from MIT and
his M.A. from Harvard. After starting his own architectural firm in 1955, Pei
went on to design such well-known structures as the Kennedy library, the
glass pyramid at the Louvre and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now in his
nineties, Pei continues to design innovative structures throughout the world
and has countless honors for his work within the field of architecture

5. DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Due to his reliance on abstract form and materials such as stone, concrete,
glass, and steel, Pei has been considered a disciple of Walter Gropius.
However, Pei shows little concern with theory. He does not believe that
architecture must find forms to express the times or that it should remain
isolated from commercial forces. Pei generally designs sophisticated glass
clad buildings loosely related to the high-tech movement. However, many of
his designs result from original design concepts. He frequently works on a
large scale and is renowned for his sharp, geometric designs.

6. NUMBER OF COMPLETE PROJECTS
North America : 48
Europe : 4
Middle East : 1
Asia : 11

7. WORKS
In 1948, Pei joined New York-based
architectural firm Webb & Knapp,
Inc., as its director of architecture.
In 1955 he left to start his own
firm,I. M. Pei & Associates (now
known as Pei Cobb Freed &
Partners). One of his first major
projects was the Mile High Center
in Denver, Colorado.
Pei also devised several urban
renewal plans for areas of
Washington, D.C., Boston and
Philadelphia around this time. Pei
met Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis,
on the designs for presidential
library.
JOHN F. KENNEDY LIBRARY

8. The project, built in Dorchester, Massachusetts, met several challenges
over the years, including a change in location. Completed in 1979, the
library is a nine-story modern structure that features glass and concrete.
Pei also designed a later addition to the site.
“I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become
art it must be built on a foundation of necessity.”
-I. M. PEI

9. Pei also work on revitalizing Paris's Louvre museum. The new, and
controversial, entrance he created for the structure has since become one of
the most iconic representations of his work. Pei had visitors descend into the
museum through a large glass pyramid, which took them to a new level
below the existing courtyard.
LUVRE MUSEUM

10. Pei designed several low cost modernistic houses that were intended to be
built of prefabricated plywood panels and ”plug in” room modules. Several of
these designs were awarded recognition in Arts and Architecture magazine
and thus served to give Pei his first National Exposure. Pei experimented with
towers of pre-cast concrete window frames laid on one another like blocks.
This system proved to be quick to construct and required no added fireproof
lining or exterior sheathing, making it relatively inexpensive. The concrete
frames also had the asthetic advantage of looking “muscular” and
permanent. Soon Pei acquired a reputation as a pragmatic, cost-concious
architect who understood the needs of developers and had the ability to
produce solid-looking buildings.

11. Pei showed concern that his buildings were “contextual”, that they fit into
their pre-existing architectural environments. I.M.Pei is known for using large,
abstract forms and designs. His glass-clad structures seem to spring from the
high tech modernist movement. Pei is popularly known for designing the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio .However, Pei is more concerned with
function than theory. His works often incorporate traditional Chinese symbols
and building traditions

14. Recent Projects

15. Fragrant Hill Hotel
Beijing, China
Completed 1982
Lead Designers:
I. M. Pei
C.C. Pei
Gross Floor Area
36,900 m²
Client
First Service Bureau, Beijing
Site
A 30,000 m² site in the former Imperial Hunting Grounds, 32 km from
downtownDeluxe hotel in the former Imperial Hunting Grounds outside Beijing

16. This hotel stands in a public park within the former Imperial Hunting
Grounds outside Beijing, not far from the Summer Palace and other key
historic sites. Balancing symmetry and asymmetry, the 325 guest rooms
zigzag out from a central skylit space to preserve the site's ancient trees.
Each guest room opens onto a courtyard through a shaped "window picture"
that frames the landscape and brings the outdoors inside. Building and
gardens merge inseparably in an intimate reciprocal relationship

17. Major Components :
325 guest rooms, 750m2 atrium, ballroom,
conference rooms,
restaurants, services, retail, athletic club and
pools, 2,800 m2 outdoor
terrace / plaza, 11,000 m2 landscaped
Chinese gardens with
reconstructed ancient water maze
Awards:
1984 American Institute of Architects:
National Honor Award
I. M. Pei & Partners services:
Site Planning; Architectural Design;
Graphics
Mechanical / Electrical:
J. Roger Preston, Hong Kong
Interiors:
Dale Keller & Associates, Hong Kong

18. Although a high-rise hotel in central Beijing was originally requested, the architect
declined in order to preserve the Forbidden City from skyscraper intrusion. Shortly after
Fragrant Hill was commissioned, Beijing's unique legacy was acknowledged as strict
height regulations were established for new buildings within critical distances and
sight lines of the ancient precinct.

19. WORLD ONE

20. Located in Upper Worli,
Mumbai; The World Towers
is nestled in South Mumbai’s
most bustling address.
Home to top industrialists,
sportspersons and
celebrities, it’s woven into a
rich social & cultural fabric.
Truly, the ultimate
destination for the global
elite

21. Composed of 3 towers, uniquely curvilinear in shape, The World Towers form a
stunning sculpture in glass and steel, soaring into the Mumbai sky. World One,
the world’s tallest residential tower, World View and World Crest, stand as a
powerful symbol of Mumbai’s unfettered aspirations and unstoppable drive. At
730 ft and over 225m, World Crest is the fastest constructed residential high-rise
structure in India. The World Towers employs the most cutting-edge and efficient
construction technology in creation of the iconic edifice. A project of astounding
proportions, matched in its magnificence only by the marvel of engineering and
construction that has gone into its development.

22. BANK OF CHINA
Architect: I.M. Pei
Location: Hong Kong,
China
Project Year: 1985-1990

23. The Bank of China Tower stands 70 stories tall, reaching a height of 1,209 feet. At the
time of its opening in May 1990, it was the tallest building in Asia and still remains one
of the tallest in Hong Kong. Comprised of four vertical shafts, the tower emerges from a
52-meter cube and reduces its mass, quadrant by quadrant, until a single triangular
prism resides. The faceted prism is clad in reflective glass that mirrors the changing
sky, anchoring the expansive business district and providing a characteristic vertical
axis to Hong Kong’s towering skyline

24. The four shafts that from the building produce a modern composite
structural system that not only resists high-velocity winds, but eliminates the
need for many internal vertical supports. As a result, the Bank of China uses
less steel than typical for a building its size. A key issue for I.M. Pei was the
symbolism of the structure for the Chinese people and the British Colony.
Original plans included an xshaped cross-brace. However, in China the “X”
shape is seen as a symbol of death. As an alternative, Pei chose to use less
menacing diamond forms. The bamboo plant was also a significant
inspiration for this unique building. The trunk of this massive structure is
representative of the growth patterns of bamboo, the symbol of hope and
revitalization in the Chinese culture

25. A few of the many honors I. M. Pei has received throughout his
illustrious
career:
2006 Erwin Wickert Foundation, Orient and Occident Prize
2003 National Building Museum, Henry C. Turner Prize for Innovation
in Construction Technology
2003 Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution
National Design Award, Lifetime
Achievement Award
2001 The American Philosophical Society, the Thomas Jeff erson Medal
for distinguished achievement in the
arts, humanities, or social sciences
1999 Historic Landmarks Preservation Center, New York Cultural
Laureate
1998 The MacDowell Colony, Edward MacDowell Medal
1997 Brown University, Independent Award
1996 Municipal Art Society, New York City, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Medal
Awards

26. 1994 New York State, Governor’s Arts Award
1994 National Endowment for the Arts, Medal of Arts/Ambassador for
the Arts Award
1994 Architectural Society of China (Beijing), Gold Medal for
Outstanding Achievement in Architecture
1994 The Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design of Jerusalem,
Jerusalem
Prize for Arts and Letters
1993 United States, Medal of Freedom
1993 France, Offi cer of the Legion of Honor
1991 Colbert Foundation, First Award for Excellence
1990 University of California at Los Angeles, UCLA Gold Medal
1989 Japan, Praemium Imperiale for lifetime achievement in
architecture
1988 United States, National Medal of Arts
1986 United States, the Medal of Liberty
1983 Hyatt Foundation, the Pritzker Architecture Prize
1981 National Arts Club, Gold Medal of Honor
Awards

27. 1981 City of New York, Mayor’s Award of Honor for Art and Culture
1981 France, Grand Medal of the Academy of Architecture
1979 Rhode Island School of Design, President’s Fellow
1979 American Academy of Arts and Letters, Gold Medal for
Architecture
1979 The American Institute of Architects, the Gold Medal
1978 American Society of Interior Designers, Elsie de Wolfe Award
1976 The Thomas Jeff erson Memorial, Medal for Architecture
1973 The City Club of New York, for New York Award
1970 International Institute of Boston, Golden Door Award
1963 New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Medal of
Honor.
1961 National Institute of Arts and Letters, Arnold Brunner Award
Awards

28. THANK YOU