I. M. Pei: Life is Architecture reconstructs one of the twentieth century's most consequential architectural careers through six thematic lenses — from transcultural identity to material innovation — drawing on previously unpublished archival material and new photography.
About This Book
Born in China and trained in the United States, I. M. Pei (1917–2019) built a practice spanning seven decades and multiple continents. This monograph moves beyond the familiar iconography of the Louvre pyramid and the National Gallery of Art extension to examine the full arc of Pei's career: his navigation of transcultural identity, his engagement with urban redevelopment, his thinking on art and civic form, and his approach to politics and patronage. Structured around six themes central to his architectural philosophy, the book combines specially commissioned essays, personal contributions from colleagues, and new photography to situate Pei firmly within both architectural history and broader cultural discourse. Essential for anyone serious about twentieth-century modernism and its global reach.
Key Features
- 400 pages of newly commissioned essays, previously unpublished archival materials, and new photography
- Edited by Shirley Surya and Aric Chen
- Notable projects examined include the Louvre pyramid, Paris; the National Gallery of Art extension, Washington D.C.; and the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha
- Published by Thames and Hudson, 2019
What You'll Discover
- How Pei's transcultural identity — formed between China and the United States — shaped his architectural language and informed his approach to cultural institutions worldwide
- The political and patronage structures behind some of the late twentieth century's most high-profile commissions, and how Pei navigated them
- Pei's methods of material and structural innovation, examined across projects both celebrated and lesser-known
- How his work engaged with the regeneration of cultural and historical archetypes, from Parisian modernisation to Islamic architectural heritage in Doha
About the Author
This volume is edited by Shirley Surya and Aric Chen. Further biographical details on the editors are [Details available upon request].
Specifications
- Format: Hardcover
- Pages: 400
- Dimensions: 30.9 x 24.8 cm
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9780500481028
- Publisher: Thames and Hudson
- Publication Date: 2019
Perfect For: Architects and historians with an interest in twentieth-century modernism, students of architectural theory, and readers drawn to the intersection of cultural identity, civic patronage, and built form.