I.M. Pei
Louvre Pyramid, master of geometric forms
Most quoted
"I believe that architecture is an art, and that it is an art of space. It is not an art of form, it is not an art of structure, it is not an art of materials. It is an art of space."
— from Various interviews
"Architecture is the very mirror of life. You only have to cast your eyes on buildings to feel the presence of the past, the spirit of a place; they are the reflection of society."
— from Interview/Correspondence
"I believe that architecture is an art, a true art, and that it must be beautiful. It must be beautiful in its form, in its structure, and in its materials."
— from Letter to a colleague
All quotes by I.M. Pei (403)
I believe that architecture should be timeless.
A building should be a part of its environment, not an intrusion.
My work is about creating spaces that inspire and uplift people.
Architecture is a search for truth.
The challenge of architecture is to create something new, yet timeless.
I always try to find the essence of a project.
The beauty of architecture is in its simplicity.
Every building has a soul.
Architecture is a dialogue between the past and the present.
I try to make buildings that are honest.
The greatest challenge is to make a building that is both modern and respectful of history.
Architecture is a reflection of society.
I am always learning. That's the beauty of architecture.
The quality of space is the quality of life.
My goal is to create buildings that will last for generations.
Architecture is about creating order out of chaos.
I believe in the power of light to transform space.
A building should have a sense of dignity.
The essence of architecture is to create a better world.
I try to make buildings that are both strong and delicate.
Contemporaries of I.M. Pei
Other Architectures born within 50 years of I.M. Pei (1917–2019).