Pei’s career spanned over a long period. At the time he designed the
Louvre Museum, he appeared to be a slender soft-spoken person. "His face was mottled with
age, but despite his 64 years he radiated a restless ticking alertness and boundless
enthusiasm."
Pei is known for his
ability to converse with anyone on any topic in a voice that still carries traces of China
and his playful, expressive face lights up at the mention of his wide-ranging interests
– French and Chinese cuisine, abstract art, gardening, travel and wine. "Pei
dresses impeccably in conservative suits custom tailored in Hong Kong. One architecture
critic has described his wardrobe as ‘formal’, but not so formal that you’d
mistake him for a banker. It has just enough flair to let you know he’s
creative."
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As a Chinese-American, Pei offered the best of both worlds. He could import new world flash and efficiency without appearing conspicuously American. His Mandarin ancestry somehow inoculated him against French xenophobia. After bagging the Louvre project Pei commented, "I think being a Chinese-American has not hurt. History, you see is important to the French and I hope that I was able to convince them that I came from a country with a long history and I would not take this problem lightly."
Pei’s love for Nature always over rode his concrete structure, given a choice between 40 trees or piece of sculptor for the open area between buildings. Pei chooses the trees 'because it was for the people living in these buildings'.
Even while designing the Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, he said, "All of my work up to then was in cities. I’d seen the skyscrapers of New York – but they were nothing compared to the Rocky Mountains." |
Pei had many partners in
his company. But his wife played an important role in his career. Pei always tests his
ideas on his wife. She is honest and direct. "And she’s always right," Pei
admits.
Pei was blessed with four children.
Pei’s relationship with his children was warm, but somewhat distant. His younger son
Li Chung also known as Sandi along with his elder brother Chuin Chung were architects in
Pei’s firm. Li is said to be more of an observer than a participant in his
father’s life. Pei’s excellence in architecture can be well judged by the
comments of Per Wahlin, a photographer. He had gone to America to celebrate the American
Revolution Bicentennial. "The trip turned out to be a revolution in itself." It
was here that he started his career as an architectural photographer. |
