Community Chat

[Oznell]

I was surprised at his age.  (I wonder what it is about architects-- Philip Johnson recently also lived to a ripe age-- I think he was 98 or so when he died.)

Here's Pei in front of the famous glass pyramid he did for the Louvre:

Here's a simple but profound quote from him on his profession:

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

Showered with awards and accolades, he designed everything from the celebrated East Building of the National Gallery, to the John F. Kennedy Library, to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He studied with modern architecture giant, Walter Gropius.  What a life-- if I had the teeniest tiny bit of talent, which I most decidedly don't, I would love to be an architect......   RIP,  I.M Pei.

[Oznell]

[Oznell]

[Drythe]

@Oznell 

An amazing talent.  Always a surprise, the unexpected, an exclamation point.

Didn't love everything he did (can't please them all), but never tired of looking, was never boring, or predictable.  Wish I had know him!

RIP Mr. Pei

[Oznell]

What a great, pithy summing up you've given, @Drythe.  I agree with you, and as for the "hits" and "misses", what's a bold architect without a little controversy stirring in his wake...

[waterlily]

Gehry and Pei are my all time favorites, never tire of looking at their works.

[faeriemoon]

Saw this on the news last night.  He was an architectural genius.

[meallen616]

[deepwaterdotter]

But leaves a timeless legacy.

[game-on]

@Oznell  ... thanks for this .... I like many of his buildings... I was surprised at his age, also... may he RIP