Ieoh Ming Pei

The contemporary great architect

Early life and education

Chinese name:born in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China April 26, 1917 At 17, went to the US to study architecturereceived a Bachelor of Architecture degree from MIT in 1940 I.M. Pei became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1954

In 1955 he formed the partnership of I.M. Pei & Associates, which became I.M. Pei & Partners in 1966 and Pei Cobb Freed & Partners in 1989 received the 1968 Architectural Firm Award of the American Institute of Architects, the highest honor bestowed on an architectural practice by the Institute In late 1990, after more than four decades of practice, Mr. Pei retired from the firm in order to pursue smaller projects of personal interest

Accomplishmentsthe Gold Medal for Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects the Gold Medal from Alpha Rho Chi (the national professional fraternity of architects)the Grande Mdaille d'Or from the French Acadmie d'Architecture the Pritzker Architecture Prize

His projects

Luce Memorial Chapel (1963)Dallas, Texas City Hall (1972) John Hancock Tower, in Boston (1976)East Building, National Gallery of Art (1979) Bank of China Tower (1982-1990)Pyramids of the Louvre (1989)

Hancock Tower

Basic informationLocated in BostonJohn Hancock Tower /"New" Hancock Tower /officially named Hancock Place designed by I.M. Pei and Henry N. Cobb790 feet sixty floors 10,344 panes of glass 4' x 11', 500 lb (1.2x3.4 m, 227 kg) windowpanescompleted in 1976

introductionIn 1977 the AIA presented Cobb with a National Honor Award for the John Hancock TowerAs of 2005, it is the tallest building in New England, the 43rd tallest building in the United States, and the 112th tallest building in the worldachievement in minimalist, modernist skyscraper designno spandrels between the floors and the mullions are minimal glass is tinted blue -transplanted sky in day time

Falling glass panes The building's most dangerous flaw Police close off surrounding streets whenever winds reached 45 mph (72 km/h)Glass crashes to the sidewalk hundreds of feet belowcombination of the double-paned glass pressure differentials between the inside and outside airinstalling a network of 10,000 sensors

Pyramide du LouvreArchitect: I.M.Pei

Location: Paris France

Date :1989

Building Type: art museum entrance

Construction System: glass and steel rods and cable

Style :modern

The Louvre is the most famous of the Grands Projets.It is not so much the pyramid, but the entrance space that it covers that is the most important part of the project. The brilliance of making an entrance to the worlds largest art museum by hollowing-out its plaza and constructing underground connections to its various wings could easily be lost amidst the unmistakable iconography of the pyramid. The entrance hasrationalized and opened-up the collections of the Louvre to the throngs of museum-goers who visit itscollections.

Bank of China Tower-a Star Among Stars

One of the most recognized skyscrapers in Hong Kong.Symbol of the strength , vitality and growth.

The tallest building in Hong Kong and Asia from 1989 to 1992located near Central MTR station

A small observation deck on the 43rd floor of the building is open to the public.

Inspiration Bamboo---symbol of revitalization and hope.

X-shape ---bad luck in Chinese cultureSharp edge like a cleaver---criticism of Feng ShuiChinese element--- statue of lion in front of the gate

Bank of China Tower