I.M. Pei

Architecture should be a celebration of life.

The most successful buildings are those that are loved by the people who use them.

I believe in the power of collaboration. Architecture is not a solitary pursuit.

My goal is to create buildings that are both functional and poetic.

The architect must be a master of many disciplines, not just design.

I find inspiration in many places, from ancient ruins to modern art.

The challenge of architecture is to create order out of chaos.

I believe that architecture can elevate the human spirit.

The Museum of Islamic Art was a deeply personal project, a bridge between cultures.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

I don't believe in a single style. I believe in a single approach: to create good architecture.

The architect's job is to dream, but also to build those dreams.

I am always looking for new ways to use materials, to express light.

I believe in the power of geometry to create harmony and order.

I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity.

The Louvre is a mirror of French society. It had to change.

Life is architecture and architecture is the mirror of life.

Form follows function—that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.

I like to think of architects as poets. But I also like to think of architects as responsible builders.

The quality of the space is what matters. It is not the form per se that is important.