Occupation: Architect Birth: April 26, 1917
I didn't want to think about a project that I couldn't finish. That's a kind of temptation. One has to realize one's limitations. Why kid yourself? .
Be the best, not necessarily the original..
Architecture is the very mirror of life.You only have to cast your eyes on buildings to feel the presence of the past, the spirit of a place; they ar….
I want to bring out the best in a community and contribute something of permanent value..
Design is something you have to put your hand to..
At home, I have a wife, fortunately, and my children are all grown, and I have many grandchildren. I spend weekends with my grandchildren; I adore th….
Luxembourg was and still is today a crossroads, the place where Germany meets the rest of Europe. The country lost part of its territory to Belgium i….
Great artists need great clients..
Let's do it right. This is for the ages..
I cannot work and listen to Wagner at the same time, nor Mahler, nor Beethoven's late quartets. I enjoy listening to Chopin's piano music when I work..
I travel to the Middle East, I travel to China, I travel to Europe. It's all very rewarding - the only problem is the travel is getting more and more….
It is not an individual act, architecture. You have to consider your client. Only out of that can you produce great architecture. You cannot work in ….
Success is a collection of problems solved..
Contemporary architects tend to impose modernity on something. There is a certain concern for history but it’s not very deep. I understand that time ….
You cannot defend your design without knowing what you're designing for..
I was born in Suzhou, a city not very far from Shanghai. It's a very interesting town - there is a long artist's tradition there, especially during t….
Qatar does not have much history, it's a new emirate. So I couldn't draw on the history of the country; its history is really just being a desert. Bu….
I've been active all my life. In 1990 I retired from my firm, I.M. Pei & Partners, and for two years I didn't do much. Then I started to get kind of ….
I haven't taken any new projects in the past years - I told myself, if I cannot live long enough to finish it, I don't want it..
Stop worrying about missed opportunities and start looking for new ones..
On a daily basis, my home life is very simple. I spend about 2 hours every morning reading the newspaper. As my two assistants will tell you, I don't….