I.M. Pei, a renowned Chinese-American architect born in 1917, is celebrated for his innovative use of modern architecture alongside natural elements and open spaces. He designed numerous significant projects, including the Kennedy Library and the Louvre Pyramid, which contributed to his status in the architectural world. Even in his 90s, Pei remains active in architecture and has influenced the field while earning multiple accolades for his contributions.

1. I.M. PEI
(1917-Present)
Global Architect
I.M Pei is a Chinese-American architect,
known for his creative use of modern
architecture, in combination with natural
elements and open spaces.

2. Overview of I.M. PEI
• Pei has designed more than fifty projects in this country
and abroad, many of which have been award-winners.
• I.M. Pei is known for using large, abstract forms and sharp,
geometric designs. His glass-clad structures seem to spring
from the high-tech modernist movement.

3. What does an Architect Do?
• Architects design all kinds of buildings. They design schools and
skyscrapers. They design hospitals and hotels. They also design plain old
regular houses.
• Any building that is used by people was probably designed by some
architect.
• Before constructing a building, an architect needs to draw a plan of the
building. Sometimes architects will make a cardboard or plastic model of
the building.
• The building is then built by a construction company which follows the
directions of the plans for the building. The architect will closely supervise
the construction company to make sure that the building is built according
to the plans.

4. Early Years
• I.M. Pei (Ieoh Ming Pie) was born in China on April 26,
1917.
• Pei is one of five children.
• Pei is the son of a banker and an artistic mother, who
took him to see dreamy Chinese gardens as a child.
Pei was quoted later in life as saying,
"These have always been the most important inspiration to me as an architect.”
"I have never forgotten those gardens: wonderful marriages of man-made and
natural design. I've come back to them again and again; they are my guide.”

5. More Early Years
• When Pei was 10, he moved with his family to Shanghai.
• His early schooling was rigorous, only allowing one half day
off per week for leisure.
• Pei used this time playing pool and watching Hollywood
movies.
• He also learned basic English by reading the Bible.
• A theme in Pei’s family was always to help the less fortunate.

6. Education
• At 17, Pei traveled to America and attended The University of
Pennsylvania.
• He then transferred to Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
where he earned a bachelors degree in architecture in 1940.
• Pei continued his studies at Harvard University’s Graduate School
of Design, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Architecture.
• In 1944, Pei returned to Harvard University as an Associate
Professor.

7. Career: Urban Focus
• 1948, Pei joined a New York-based architecture firm, but left soon
after to start his own firm.
• One of his first projects was the Mile High Center in Denver,
Colorado.
• The curved glass was inspired by the round rocks and winding rivers
like the gardens he visited as a child with his mother.

8. Career: Urban Focus
• By 1955, I.M. Pei & Partners was well underway.
• Pei took on Kips Bay Towers in New York City, paying such
close attention to detail that he would examine the cement to
ensure consistency in color.
• 1958, Pei designed the Royal Bank Plaza in Montreal, Canada.
Kips Bay Towers NYC
Royal Bank Plaza, Montreal
According to the Canadian
Encyclopedia, “its grand
plaza designed by
internationally US famous
architect I.M. Pei, helped to
set new standards for
architecture in Canada in the
late 1960’s.”

9. Urban Focus: Society Hill, Philadelphia
-Pei designed Society Hill Towers and the surrounding townhouses, to conform to
the existing colonial architecture of the neighborhood.
-It is considered a landmark in the heart of what was destined to be one of the
world’s finest urban residential centers.
-Nothing like this had ever been planned on such a grand scale in the center of a
major American city.
A three-building
residential block
injecting cubist
design into the
18th-century style
of the
neighborhood in
Philadelphia had
never been done
before.

10. Kennedy Library
• After being hand-picked by President Kennedy’s widow, Jacqueline
Kennedy, to design the Kennedy Library, Pei said it was the most important
commission of his life.
• The project took much longer than it was supposed to (completed in
1979), and it’s location was changed from Harvard Square to Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
• Pei did not love the outcome, but it did boost his reputation as an
architect.

11. Le Grand Louvre
• 1981, Pei was asked to revitalize The Louvre
Museum in Paris, France.
• The entrance he created for this structure has
become his most recognizable piece of work.
• He proposed at the center there be a glass and
steel pyramid. It was mirrored by another
inverted pyramid to reflect sunlight into the
room.
• Many believed Pei’s plans were not feasible and
too risky.

12. More Louvre
• Pei was forced to design a full-sized ‘mock’
pyramid to place in the courtyard before his design
was approved.
• More than 60,000 people came to the courtyard to
view his ‘model’ of the pyramid.
• After winning approval, the Louvre courtyard was
opened to the public in 1989.
• Pei said, “After the Louvre, I thought no project
would ever be too difficult.”

13. Images of the Louvre Pyramid

14. Inside View of the Pyramid

15. I.M. Pei Around America
Javitz Center, New York Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Cleveland, OH
Meyerson Symphony Center Dallas, TX
Miami
Tower,
Miami
Florida

16. National Gallery of Art - East Building
Washington, DC

17. More Pei Around the World
Bank of China, Hong Kong German Historic Museum, Berlin, Germany

18. Personal and Current Life
• Pei is married and has four children, all attended Harvard
University.
• Two of his children are architects and work at Pei’s NYC office
today.
• In his 90’s, Pei is still actively designing buildings around the
world and gardening at his home in New York.
• Pei has received many honors for his work including a
Lifetime Award from the National Design Museum.

19. PROJECT:
MARSHMALLOW STRUCTURE
Be an Architect! Design your dream building out of toothpicks & marshmallows.