I.M. Pei

Modern architecture is not about rejecting the past, but about reinterpreting it.

A building should be a poem, a song, a story.

The pyramid at the Louvre was a challenge, but I believe it was the right solution.

I don't design for critics; I design for people.

Architecture is a social art. It must serve society.

I am not afraid of controversy. It means people are thinking.

The best architecture is often the simplest.

You cannot separate architecture from its context.

Architecture is a long process. You have to be patient.

A building should have a soul.

The architect's role is to interpret the client's needs, not just to fulfill them.

I don't believe in imposing my will on a site. I try to listen to the site.

The quality of space is more important than the quantity of space.

The architect must be a visionary, but also a realist.

I try to create buildings that will endure, that will stand the test of time.

The beauty of architecture lies in its ability to inspire.

I don't believe in fads. I believe in fundamental principles.

The architect's responsibility is to create a better environment for humanity.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was a very different kind of project for me, but I embraced the challenge.

I always try to find the essence of a place, and then express it in my architecture.