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)
To be a good architect, you must be a good listener. You must listen to your clients, to your colleagues, and to the building itself.
The beauty of concrete is its honesty. It is a material that does not pretend to be anything other than what it is.
I have always been drawn to light. It is the most essential element in architecture, and it can transform a space in magical ways.
My goal is to create buildings that are timeless, buildings that will continue to inspire and delight for centuries.
The challenge of architecture is to reconcile the practical with the poetic, the functional with the beautiful.
I am not interested in trends. I am interested in enduring principles of design.
The East and the West have much to learn from each other. My work is an attempt to bridge those two worlds.
Architecture is a service profession. We are here to serve the needs of our clients and the public.
I believe in the power of a strong concept. A good concept can guide the entire design process and ensure a coherent outcome.
The most important lesson I learned at Harvard was to think critically, to question everything, and to never accept anything at face value.
I am an optimist. I believe that architecture can make the world a better place.
The beauty of a building is not just in its appearance, but in how it functions, how it feels, and how it relates to its surroundings.
I have always been fascinated by the interplay of solid and void, of mass and space.
My wife, Eileen, has been my greatest supporter and my most honest critic. I owe so much to her.
To create something truly original, you must be willing to take risks, to challenge conventions, and to embrace the unknown.
The quality of light in a space can profoundly affect our mood and our sense of well-being.
I strive for a certain elegance in my work, a sense of refinement and timelessness.
The challenge of urban design is to create spaces that are both grand and intimate, public and private.
I have always believed that good design should be accessible to everyone, not just the elite.
The process of design is often messy and iterative. You try, you fail, you learn, and you try again.
Contemporaries of I.M. Pei
Other Architectures born within 50 years of I.M. Pei (1917–2019).