1917-
I. M. Pei is a twentieth century Chinese American architect who combines his belief of classical elegance and functional efficiency. In 1935, Pei came to the United States to study at Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania. He also taught at Harvard form 1945 to 1948. With a strong educational background in America's finest colleges, some of the world most famous buildings come from the work of I. M. Pei.
From 1948 to 1956, Pei worked for Webb and Knapp, Inc. where he designed the Mile High Center in Denver. In 1956, he headed his own firm called I. M. Pei and Associates. At this firm he worked closely with contributors Henry Cobb and James Freed. Since 1989, the firm was renamed Pei Cobb Freed & Partners.
The History:
As the head of his firm, Pei is responsible for the John Hancock Tower in Boston, Massachusetts, completed in 1976. It features blue-green mirrored glass providing a reflective environment for the neighboring historic Copley Square.
In 1978, they designed the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It features advanced geometric design. The building is trapezoidal in structure with triangular wings.
In 1986, they designed the internationally known Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.
In 1989, the firm went overseas to France. There they designed a renovations for the Louvre Museum in Paris France, which was a new pyramidal glass entrance. This design was so innovative and outrageous that many could not believe their eyes. The pyramid has since become a Parisian landmark.
Also in 1989, the firm went to China to design the Bank of China in Hong Kong. It still remains today as an incredible work of architecture.
Later in 1993, the firm returned to France and developed the Richelieu Wing of Louvre Museum. In the same year, they designed the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
In 1995, they planned the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.
A year later, the firm developed the San Francisco Main Public Library and Civic Center in California.
Finally, they developed the Miho Museum in Kyoto, Japan in 1998.
Common trends:
After over a century of producing wondrous building and renovations that amazed society, Pei finally retired in 1990. However, his firm continues to operate internationally.
In his most of his works, he precisely integrates structure and environment, which is often accompanied by truly amazing geometrical design. This is what makes Pei's final results into masterpieces. His works also often include and interior innovation or other new variation. For example, he made use of marble which gives a classical atmosphere, concrete, which gives a rational atmosphere, and glass, which gives a modern atmosphere.
