I. M. Pei at MIT - Tech Day 1994

Internationally renowned architect and MIT alumnus I. M. Pei ’40 offers a uniquely personal behind-the-scenes account of the conceptualization, design and construction of one of his most famous projects, the revitalization of the Louvre Museum in Paris. He illustrates the challenges of navigating public option, political pressures and technical problems, showing us how architecture gets done.
Pei also shares an MIT-related anecdote, as he describes how all the tension elements in his design - the only non-French features of the building project - were made by a small Massachusetts company that constructed the rigging for MIT alum Bill Koch ’62’s winning America’s Cup yacht, America-3.
The conversation with William Mitchell (MIT Professor of Architecture and Media Arts) takes place on June 4th, 1994 as part of MIT’s Technology Day 1994, the signature event at the yearly MIT alumni reunion. This year’s theme was “The Arts at MIT: The Wonder of It All.” They are introduced by the program chair, Ellen Harris (MIT Associate Provost of the Arts).
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[@rickdeckard9810]

I could listen to him for another hour or more. Fascinating, especially about the lighting.

[@xingchenghuang5324]

The respect and deep understanding of local history and culture gave PEI the light to touch French's minds. His passion for motherland's Chinese civilization and openness to the world allow him to connect with different cultures and regions, breaking the boundary of language, race and religion.

[@KemptonLam]

RIP Mr. Pei. You will be greatly missed. 3:44 Mr. Pei talks about his experiences, challenges, and ideas in redoing the Louvre. 32:20 LOVE this bit of Mr. Pei talking about his glass problem and how he solved it. 37:19 Very few (almost no one?) would have guessed why the statue was put there!

[@dankdreamz]

I wish it was longer! His insight and sense of humor is engaging and captivating.

[@dlr7383]

This man was a genius with a sense of humor.

[@veritas6335]

What a doll. He was a delightful man, besides being a brilliant designer.

[@jesusgarber2042]

I.M. Pei was an extraordinary success story of an immigrant who came to America and made the world so proud of his truly amazing talents for art, light, architecture, structure and geometry. His place in history is as solid as the foundations of the buildings that he design all over the world.

[@joe.h-7322]

His Father is the CEO of Bank of China and he had an Ivy League education, hardly your average immigrant 😂

[@SentimentalMo]

@@joe.h-7322His family has been successful for over 500 years. No, no your average family at all.

[@thomasong21]

Respect to the legendary of architecture mastermind and influential of maximizing in utilization the space, lighting, fine arts of building appearances, advanced ideas and many more. You created an era of civilization left for human kind in aged 102. RIP IM Pei.

[@ashishbina]

What a great man. Sitting in Calcutta India i pay my regards to this great man.

[@yingshi7550]

wish I had listened to this conversation before visiting the Louvre

[@tubeyou89119]

What a remarkable project, process and architect. Thanks for sharing this wonderful presentation. I need to visit Louvre again to appreciate everything Mr. Pei described.

[@31579946]

RIP LEGEND

[@marcoxin1248]

R.I.P

[@tubeyou89119]

On a separate note, I do admire and respect how French people value their art and history. Majority of the modern buildings, developments in Paris are outskirts of the heart of city, e.g. la defense.

[@KSASA999]

persistent legend

[@Rose59Fun]

RIP

[@lancesay]

wow... very funny man! love his dry sarcastic humor!

[@onkarkitekt]

24:25 😂😜

[@gongcheng3079]

安息吧 传奇

[@vcxiop]

RIP