Archinect - News

PAU begins Rock & Roll Hall of Fame expansion in Cleveland

2023-09-13T14:00:00-04:00

PAU has shared details of its expansion project of the I.M. Pei-designed Rock & Roll Hall of Fame museum in Cleveland ahead of next month’s anticipated groundbreaking.

The initiative will add a triangular structure to Pei’s iconic original glass pyramid design, featuring a new entrance lobby, education center, offices, and a 6,000-square-foot multipurpose space that’s meant to increase its overall footprint by 33% while activating public space along a currently underutilized section of the city’s Lake Eerie waterfront.

Rendering courtesy of Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU)

The total 50,000-square-foot design evokes the museum’s architectural lineage within the new addition, where solid shapes pronounced as asymmetries serve as the visual markers of the building’s various programmatic elements combined under a tilted angular roof and façade composed of steel and granite in further reference to the region’s industrial character.

Rendering courtesy of Practice for Architect...

Renewed modernist Esplanade Place Ville Marie opens in Montreal

2023-04-18T14:46:00-04:00

A comprehensive overhaul of Montreal’s Esplanade Place Ville Marie by Sid Lee Architecture and Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux Architectes (MSDL) is now complete, marking the end of a $200 million revitalization project that’s brought much-needed civic life back to a busy section of the city’s downtown commercial core.

Originally constructed in 1958 and designed by I.M. Pei and Henry Cobb, who had opened their practice in New York just three years before, the site had become shopworn since its last redevelopment was completed in the 1980s.

Image: David Boyer

The new Esplanade PVM comes with improved pedestrian access, a modernized shopping mall, and reconfigured underground entrance to public transit. MSDL worked to enact new monumental staircases and a horizontal floating glass structure it says is the longest in North America. The perimeter of the plaza area is also reopened to attract circulation between the street and raised public level, and the original parking lot entrance ...

As visitor attendance at the Louvre skyrockets, museum staff express they've had enough

2019-05-31T13:55:00-04:00

The Louvre in Paris turned away thousands of tourists waiting in line to enter the museum yesterday after security staff staged a walkout. The employees are on strike to protest the museum’s handling of its exploding attendance, which exceeded 10 million people last year. This growth has resulted in “unprecedented deterioration in visiting conditions, and obviously working conditions,” according to the guards’ union.

The beloved Louvre in Paris is one of the most visited museums in the world. With its iconic pyramid expansion designed by the late I.M. Pei it has become a must-see site. Just last year, the museum attracted 10.2 million visitors, a record-breaking attendance in the museum's history. Other than its breathtaking architectural design and fantastic art collection, the Louvre's publicity has skyrocketed thanks to various celebs who have used the museum as a backdrop for personal use.

However, with the increase in visitor numbers, foreign tourists have outnumbered local Parisian visitors making the number of museum-goers almost too much to handle. Museum staff have found difficulty in managing the crowds and have demanded an increase in visitor services staff as well as the adoption of a new cap on the number of visitors allowed to enter the museum at one time. Recently, the museum has initiated new programs to address these issues. However, Louvre employees do not see these measures so...

Shaping an architectural legend: what inspired I.M. Pei?

2019-05-17T16:16:00-04:00

I.M Pei's work has influenced many. However, there are several individuals and places that have influenced Pei into becoming one of the most recognized architects in the profession. Growing up in Hong Kong and Shanghai, Pei drew much inspiration from his childhood surroundings, but do you know what else inspired the late architectural legend?

Every great architect is inspired by someone or something which propels them into producing their most significant work. Below is a list of people and places that have influenced I.M. Pei and his work.

Shizilin Garden in Suzhou - The Lion Grove Garden. Image by Gisling courtesy of WikiCommons

Shizilin Garden in Suzhou
As a child, Pei would visit the gardens of Suzhou with his family during the summer. Indeed a place filled with beauty and history the Shizilin Garden was especially influential to Pei as a boy. Built by a Buddhist monk in the 14th century, the late architect described the garden as "an ideal playground." What stuck with Pei the mo...

Architects, writers, museums, and a Prime Minister remember the life and work of I.M. Pei, 1917–2019

2019-05-17T15:39:00-04:00

It is a rare moment when the words "architect" and "architecture" appear in the elusive list of trending Twitter topics, but yesterday's sighting followed a sad occasion: architect I.M. Pei, the revered master of modernist architecture, had died on Thursday at the proud age of 102.

Architecture critic and writer Paul Goldberger was the first to share the news—triggering a prompt outpouring of sympathy and memories from the architecture community and beyond.

Some sad news: I’ve just learned that I.M. Pei died last night, at 102. The end of an architectural era, truly. A sad moment, but a career—and a life—worthy of celebration.
— Paul Goldberger (@paulgoldberger) May 16, 2019

Michael Kimmelman, the current NYT architecture critic, shared his personal experience with Pei's architecture, writing "Like others, I deeply admire Pei's beautiful and thoughtful Islamic museum in Qatar, respect the sculptural power of the East Building in D.C. and the Pyramid in Paris, among obvious landmarks...

Looking back at some of I.M. Pei's building milestones on Archinect

2019-05-17T13:12:00-04:00

The fact that I.M. Pei, who passed away at 102 years old on May 16, lived long enough to see some of his notable buildings reach their own age milestones goes to show how timeless his designs are. Even if some of his buildings were first met with controversy, his buildings and his legacy have been permanently woven into the cultural fabric of cities across the world. Below, you can revisit some of Archinect's previous news and feature highlights that celebrate Pei's illustrious career.

"The Element of Time": Celebrating a Century of I.M. Pei

.M. Pei and wife Eileen at a birthday party. Image: Henry Cobb via YouTube.

Pei turned 100 years old on April 26, 2017. In this feature, his former colleagues, Sir Norman Foster, and even the architect himself give remembrances, anecdotes, and a celebration of the genius of one of the masters of architecture. “He’s always looking at things in between, and that’s why it’s so hard to put him into a category. He’s not an academic or a conceptualist ...

I.M. Pei dies at 102

2019-05-16T18:13:00-04:00

Ieoh Ming Pei, among the most well-known names in architecture, passed away overnight at the age of 102.

Le Grand Louvre, Paris, France, 1989

It was first announced online by Paul Goldberger, in this heartfelt tweet:

When considering the number of projects completed under his name over the course of a career spanning more than seven decades, it is difficult to say for which of Pei's buildings he is best known. In the Western world, it might be his controversial addition to the Louvre, completed in 1989; in the Eastern world, it might be the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, completed in 1990. His distinct use of geometry and unique ability to respond to program made Pei a household name along with those of Hadid, Gehry and Wright.

Bank of China Tower, Hong Ko...

Here's your chance to win a sleepover inside the Louvre's glass pyramid

2019-04-03T16:06:00-04:00

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the I.M. Pei-designed Musée du Louvre Pyramid, Airbnb has partnered with the museum to offer the exclusive opportunity of a night inside the iconic glass structure.

Courtesy of Airbnb

According to contest's website, the night begins with a VIP after hours tour of the museum, followed by a Renaissance-inspired apéritif with the Mona Lisa and dinner with the Venus of Milo (because, of course), before an intimate acoustic concert in Napoleon III’s lavish apartments gets the lucky winner sleepy enough for bedtime under the stars of Paris inside the glass Pyramid.

Courtesy of Airbnb

The vacation rental site has offered the chance to win a night in extraordinary spaces before, such as the JDS-designed Holmenkollen Ski Jump in Oslo, BIG's LEGO House in Denmark, artsy artsy Amsterdam "tents", a floating house on the River Thames, Australian IKEA showrooms, or the spacious Great Wall of China (which was eventually canceled due to public outcry).

Courtesy of...

For its 30th birthday, Artist JR creates a large-scale optical illusion at the Louvre Pyramid

2019-04-01T19:05:00-04:00

When built in 1989 by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, the glass pyramid was derided as a sacrilegious addition to the historic Louvre Museum. But three decades later, the once-reviled Louvre Pyramid has become a beloved Paris landmark and highly-visited tourist attraction.

This weekend, the iconic project celebrated its 30th anniversary. For the festivities, the Paris museum enlisted the French street artist JR who, three years ago, covered the pyramid in a giant trompe l’oeil that made it disappear behind a giant black-and-white photo.

A continuation on this prior piece, his latest work saw the help of 400 volunteers, who worked for four days to surround the glass pyramid with 2,000 strips of paper. His latest stunt installation, the collage created the optical illusion that the pyramid was rising from a rock quarry.

Shortly after its announcement, it was destroyed underfoot as visitors left the paper collage in shreds. On the project's planned destruction, JR said "the imag...

I.M. Pei's first museum scheme, the Everson in Syracuse, turns 50

2018-10-02T15:43:00-04:00

The Everson Museum in Syracuse, NY, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, was renowned architect I.M. Pei's first museum design. Opening in 1968 to rave reviews, the architecture critic Ada Louise Huxtable described at the time that the structure was "the architecture of today as art history will eventually record it...it does its own thing."

The 60,000 square foot facility is constructed out of concrete blended with local granite—an example of American brutalism that achieved a level of refinement and luxury sometimes lacking in the attitude of its peers. Pei's plans for the small-museum were quite unique at the time; his obsession over small details and his iconic circular staircase helped to make it a success.

Take a look at the landmark building.

Courtesy of the Everson Museum.

In celebration of I.M. Pei's 100th birthday tomorrow, the National Gallery of Art revisits his legacy

2017-04-25T13:19:00-04:00

Harmonizing with architect John Russell Pope's neoclassical West Building, the award-winning East Building, which opened in 1978, was designed by Pei in the modern idiom of its time. Magnificently realizing the long-term vision of Gallery founder Andrew W. Mellon and his children, Paul Mellon and Ailsa Mellon Bruce, the East Building has taken its place as one of the great public structures in the nation's capital. — National Gallery of Art

I.M. Pei's 100th birthday is tomorrow! In celebration of the legendary architect's birthday, the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. will host a public talk in the Pei-designed East Building featuring architect Perry Y. Chin – a longtime associate of Pei's — and Susan Wertheim, the Gallery's chief architect and deputy administrator for capital projects.

Learn more on Bustler.

AIA honors I.M. Pei's Grand Louvre with 2017 Twenty-Five Year Award

2016-12-15T20:54:00-05:00

When I.M. Pei's Grand Louvre in Paris was first completed in 1989, it was denounced as a modernist insult to its historic location, the 800-year-old Grand Palais. But 27 years later, the 71-foot-tall glass pyramid has become as treasured as the artwork it houses. In an announcement today, the AIA announced the Grand Louvre - Phase I project as the 2017 Twenty-Five Year Award recipient.

The Twenty-Five Year Award distinguishes a building that has gracefully stood the test of time over the last 25-35 years. Chaired by LMN Architects' Mark Reddington, the 2017 jury selected the project that best “demonstrate[s] excellence in function, in the distinguished execution of its original program, and in the creative aspects of its statement by today’s standards.” The nine-person jury also included Adrian Smith, Timothy J. Johnson of NBBJ, and William Q. Sabatini.

The Grand Louvre was executed in two phases over the course of a decade. In Phase I, Pei built the pyramid and reorganized the museum...

I.M. Pei's National Gallery of Art building set to reopen this week in Washington

2016-09-26T17:17:00-04:00

From the outside, not much has changed. After a three-year, $69m renovation, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art (NGA) in Washington, DC, looks about the same as it did when it first opened in June 1978. [...] Step inside and the differences become clear. The gallery, which reopens to the public on 30 September, has managed to carve out more than 12,250 sq. ft of additional exhibition space without expanding its physical footprint.

↑ I.M. Pei, who designed the East Building, on the structure's original opening day, June 1, 1978. Photo © Dennis Brack/Black Star. National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gallery Archives

98-year-old I.M. Pei reportedly assaulted by caregiver

2016-01-04T12:24:00-05:00

A carer for the architect IM Pei [...] has been charged with assaulting the 98-year-old in his Manhattan townhouse. Eter Nikolaishvili, 28, was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assaulting Pei early in December when he threatened to report her to the police for “doing something bad”, police said. [...] Pei was taken to hospital at 4am on the day of the alleged assault suffering from bleeding lacerations and bruising, after Nikolaishvili grabbed and twisted his arm, police said.

Pei Coob Freed-related news on Archinect:

Pei Cobb Freed faces lawsuit from Cornell over "faulty" Johnson Museum expansion scheme

2015-05-07T14:45:00-04:00

Cornell alleges that the firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners committed 'architectural malpractice' in its plans for the new wing of the museum, leading to structural deficiencies, cavities in the roof, cracks in the ceiling and other problems. The university says it has suffered 'at least' $1.1 million in damages as a result of the flawed designs. Pei, who also designed the original museum in 1968, was hired by the university to build the addition in 2006.

Louvre director plans its grand revamp

2014-09-04T14:03:00-04:00

Jean-Luc Martinez, who was promoted to the directorship of the Musée du Louvre last year, is proposing the most ambitious renovation of the Paris museum since the Grand Louvre project of the 1980s. [...] Planning the museum’s comprehensive renovation began in June and work is due to start on the main entrance this month. [...] Martinez also plans to devote 1,500 sq. m of space to major temporary exhibitions in the Napoleon Hall, which is beneath the museum’s I.M. Pei-designed entrance pyramid.

I.M. Pei named as 2014 recipient of the UIA Gold Medal

2014-06-10T15:12:00-04:00

Ieoh Ming Pei, the now 97-year-old renowned Chinese-born American architect, was recently named the 2014 recipient of the prestigious International Union of Architects Gold Medal. The UIA Gold Medal honors an architect's life and work achievements in the course of more than 60 years and five continents in modern architecture history.

Best known as I.M. Pei, some of his most famous structures include the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris, the National Museum of Art in Washington, the Johnson Museum of Art in New York, and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, to name a few.

He has received other prestigious accolades like the Pritzker Prize, the Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as well as of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Pei will formally accept the Gold Medal on August 6 at an awards ceremony organized by the UIA World Congress of Architecture in Durban, South Africa.

Read more about Pei's legacy on Bustler.

Pei Partnership sues National Slavery Museum for... get this... not getting paid for their services

2013-01-25T14:12:00-05:00

The National Slavery Museum, which was spearheaded by former Virginia Gov. Doug Wilder, never paid Pei for the architectural work. Pei says it is owed more than $6 million, money that the firm hopes to recoup in an eventual sale of the 38 acres. The slavery museum organization now owes more than $300,000 in delinquent real estate taxes to Fredericksburg. The city has begun the lengthy legal process of selling the land at auction to recoup the back taxes.

A Modern Masterpiece, No Longer Used, Will Soon Disappear at Kennedy Airport

2011-10-06T09:50:37-04:00

Given his stature, the demolition of Terminal 6 arguably ranks as the most significant loss of a transportation building in New York since Pennsylvania Station was razed in the early 1960s. Mr. Cobb does not think of the two events as analogous, however. “This is not pure greed,” he said. “This is the myopic view of engineers. They just can’t figure out how to reuse it and they don’t put enough value on it to figure out how to reuse it.”