He designed the Kennedy Library in the United States, and his work is recognized as one of the best masterpieces in the history of American architecture;
He remodeled the Louvre in France, and his work became the pride of the French;
He built the Bank of China Tower, the Xiangshan Hotel, and the Suzhou Museum in China, exploring a modern path of Chinese architecture.
He, that is"The Light of the Chinese", "The Last Master of Modern Architecture" I.M. Pei
I.M. Pei's masterpieces are all over the world, and someone once asked him:
What are you most proud of in your life? ”
When everyone was expecting I.M. Pei to say which of the world's well-known works, he smiled indifferently:
I'm most proud not of my architectural work, but that I'm married to Eileen Lo. ”
I.M. Pei and Lu Ailing have been together for a lifetime from love at first sight, and their happy marriage has been praised as **"The most enviable of the world's top ten celebrity fairy couples".
So, what kind of elite figure is I.M. Pei? What kind of love story does I.M. Pei have with his wife?
Some people wonder why I.M. Pei was able to conquer the West and become the absolute mainstream of architectural design.
To put it bluntly, he has an aristocratic temperament, which adds to his personality.
I.M. Pei was born into a prestigious family in Suzhou, and the Lion Forest used to be his family.
The Bei family has always had ancestral teachings:
cultivating virtue and doing good;
Both boys and girls in the family must go to school, and men must do things;
Non-famous women do not marry.
With a good family style, the Pei family broke the "curse" of being rich for three generationsSeventeen generations of wealth, which is still active in people's field of vision.
And as soon as I.M. Pei was born, he was a proper rich fifteenth generation.
His grandfather, Bethle, founded China's first commercial savings bank in Shanghai, his father, Pei Zuyi, was one of the founders of the Bank of China, and his mother, Zhuang Lianjun, was the daughter of the last prince of the Qing Dynasty.
In such an elite family, I.M. Pei remembered his grandfather's teachings when he was 8 years old
"Go all out".
In 1935, Pei Zuyi sent his 18-year-old son to study in the United States.
I.M. Pei traveled extensively to study engineering and architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and then at Harvard University.
In addition to his intense studies, he often finds time to visit architectural masterpieces around the world and draw inspiration from them.
One day in 1938, I.M. Pei went to the train station to pick up a friend from the Chinese Friendship Association.
A friend brought a Chinese girl, and Pei's elegance and generous demeanor made Pei fall in love with her.
After some pleasantries, I.M. Pei learned that the girl's name was Eileen Lou and that she was about to report to Wesleyan College in Boston.
Lou Ailing was born into a large elite family, her great-grandfather Lu Gung-yang was a well-known wealthy businessman and philanthropist in Hong Kong, her maternal grandfather Zhang Yintang was the last minister to the United States in the late Qing Dynasty, and her father Lu Baoxian was the vice president of the Canada-China Civic Association.
When she heard that I.M. Pei studied architecture, she shared with interest:
My father was a 1916 graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is now a well-known engineer. ”
This remark made Pei feel very cordial, and he immediately proposed:
In that case, why don't I drive you to Boston? ”
However, Eileen Lo refused to hitchhike with a stranger easily, and she politely declined his kindness:
Don't bother you so much, I've already bought my train ticket. ”
I.M. Pei had no choice but to go home.
Soon after, he learned that the train she was traveling on was stranded in Hartford due to a hurricane.
He was so anxious that he immediately called Lu Ailing:
Are you okay? You see, if you take my car, wouldn't it be so troublesome? ”
* Lu Ailing on the other end responded half-jokingly:
Not necessarily, the hurricane is a minor nuisance, but you are a ** annoyance. ”
This sentence seemed to imply something, and Pei couldn't help but smile.
Since then, I.M. Pei has frequently invited Eileen Lou to dinner and watch movies.
In the process of getting along, he found that she was not only beautiful and moving, but also smart.
This made Pei more and more determined to Lu Ailing, and he couldn't wait to propose to her:
I'm always looking for a confidant who can help with my studies and research, and you're just that! ”
Eileen Lu is an assertive girl, and she calmly responded:
I don't want to get married before I finish four years of school. ”
So, the two began a four-year love journey.
On June 20, 1942, five days after Lew graduated from college, she married I.M. Pei.
After getting married, Lu Ailing did not stop her quest for knowledge.
She chose to further her education and entered the Harvard Graduate School of Architectural Design, specializing in landscape architecture.
Two years later, the eldest son of the two, Bei Ding**, was born, which brought a sweet burden to the family.
In order to take better care of her children, Lu Ailing decided to end her studies and turn her focus to her family.
At the same time,With her deep expertise, keen observation and brilliant judgment, she became Pei's closest advisor, confidant and assistant in his career
When his son Bei Dingzhong grew up, he describedMother is "Father's Secret**".
In 1946, Pei received a master's degree in architecture from Harvard University.
With great enthusiasm, he plans to return to China with his family.
But due to the outbreak of civil war, his father Bei Zuyi stopped it:
The son of a daughter, he will not die on the way. ”
I.M. Pei followed his father's advice and stayed on at Harvard to teach, becoming the youngest assistant professor in the department.
Two years later, real estate tycoon Zekendorf heard about Pei's talent and urged the young talent to join his team.
Let's join forces to start designing on an unprecedented scale and make your building an icon of the times! ”
These words have a great impact on a young architect.
I.M. Pei accepted Zeckendorf's invitation to join a group of shrewd and pragmatic real estate operators.
The two have worked together for 10 years and have formed a deep friendship between teachers and friends.
Of course, this successful cooperation is inseparable from the help of Lu Ailing.
Mr. and Mrs. Pei often invited Mr. and Mrs. Zekendorf to their home to taste Chinese food.
The hospitality of the hostess was greatly appreciated by Zekendorf.
Lu Ailing is slim, beautiful and lively. Both of them are sociable and very gregarious. It has been so before, and it will always be. ”
It was because of this private friendship that Zeckendorf confidently entrusted the design of several 20-story buildings in Denver and New York, as well as a group of buildings in Canada, to I.M. Pei, who was in his early 30s.
As a result, I.M. Pei accumulated very valuable experience, and since then he has developed a special talent for harmonizing utilitarianism and elegance.
In those years, I.M. Pei was very busy.
He has to deal with piles of project proposals every day, and he has to constantly inspect and manage these projects.
Lu Ailing felt very sorry for her husband:
A person generally needs 8 hours of sleep, but I.M. Pei often only gets 6 hours of sleep. The apartment was littered with small pieces of paper reminding him to do this, do that, or connect with someone. ”
In order to keep Pei from being distracted by family chores, she almost took on the responsibility of raising four children by herself and kept the family affairs in order.
In 1958, at the age of 41, I.M. Pei opened his own architectural design practice while continuing to work with Zelkendorf.
Since then, a new star has risen in the American architectural world.
In 1963, Kennedy was assassinated.
His widow, Jacqueline Kennedy, was determined to build a library for her husband in his honor.
In 1964, Jacqueline invited 18 architects from all over the world to meet and take turns touring their offices.
Other designers use the usual style of reception, the office, the staff are usually what they are, do not pretend, only to see people with the idea of the work.
However, I.M. Pei was determined"Go all out".and do your best to fight for this project.
At that time, he asked his wife Lu Ailing for advice.
From a woman's point of view, Eileen Lou did some research on Jacqueline.
She found out that Jacqueline was a photojournalist and had extremely high aesthetic requirements.
So, she proposed to her husband:
We should take care to cater to Mrs. Kennedy's elegant tastes. ”
Mr. Pei took his wife's advice, and he and his staff renovated the office, each dressed in a crisp suit and looked sophisticated.
Talk like an aristocrat, because Jacqueline is indeed an aristocrat in American society. ”
When Jacqueline walked into I.M. Pei's office, the first thing that caught her eye was the flowers on the table, and the whole office looked bright and warm.
Moreover, the formal dress of the staff and the suave manner of I.M. Pei left a serene and credible impression on Jacqueline.
Jacqueline decided on the spot and handed over the design of the Kennedy Library to I.M. Pei.
She said: I.M. Pei's eyes are bright, and she feels energetic and confident at first glance, which makes people feel trustworthy. Whoever changes will choose him! ”
Construction of the Kennedy Library took 15 years and was completed in 1979.
This new, unique, and bold building has caused a sensation in the American architectural world and is considered one of the best masterpieces in the history of American architecture.
In recognition of Pei's outstanding performance, the American architectural community declared 1979 the "Year of I.M. Pei" and awarded him the Gold Medal of the American Academy of Architecture for that year.
Since then, I.M. Pei has made a name for himself as one of the world's leading architects.
In 1981, I.M. Pei ushered in one of the most important projects of his career:
The Louvre Museum stands on Place Napoleon in a renovated building.
When Francois Mitterrand announced that he had chosen I.M. Pei, the whole of Paris was taken aback!
I.M. Pei's son recalled
At that time, the French were really stunned, even angry, and shouted: 'How can you call a Chinese to build our most important building?' I.M. Pei will ruin Paris! ’”
Therefore, the glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei was attacked by the French architectural community at the beginning of its construction.
I.M. Pei's daughter also recalled
During that time, I often accompanied my father. We walked down the street, and the women would spit on their father's shoes. I wanted to say a few words in return, but my father shook his hand and was calm. He grinned and couldn't bear it. ”
In the face of doubts and opposition from the outside world,I.M. Pei always has a smile on his face, showing a demeanor that is neither humble nor arrogant
However, stress is real.
Later, I.M. Pei said frankly:
When I had to find the right design for a building, my mind was in turmoil. I put my heart and soul into this kind of work and couldn't think about anything else. It may be a matter of hours, or a whole month of not sleeping well, and getting angry at every turn. I kept sketching out plans and kept giving up. I'm not interested in anyone. At this time, my wife is always angry with me, which is very unfair.
At such a time, Lu Ailing chose to give Pei the greatest understanding and tolerance.
She silently took care of his daily life and never complained or blamed.
She is well aware of the pressure and anxiety her husband is under, and she gives him strength with her support and love.
In July 1988, the Louvre was completed with a grand opening ceremony.
In the evening, more than 2,000 French celebrities walked into the pyramid in the twilight.
As night fell, Pei told the staff to turn on all the lights.
In an instant, the pyramid was lit up, and the Louvre's ornate surface glittered under the illumination of six hundred spotlights.
All the guests exclaimed excitedly:
It's so beautiful, it's incredible! ”
As a result, the once controversial pyramid design has become the symbol of the Louvre and the pride of the French!
Soon after, in the newly built pyramid, Mitterrand awarded I.M. Pei the highest French medal.
While his career abroad was thriving, I.M. Pei did not forget his homeland.
In the 70s of the 20th century, after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, he returned to China many times with his family, determined to contribute to the construction of the motherland.
In 1978, I.M. Pei accepted the design task of the Xiangshan Hotel in Beijing and devoted a lot of effort to it
The Fragrant Hills Hotel has played an important role in my design career, and I have put in 10 times more effort than I have designed buildings abroad. ”
For several years, Pei traveled frequently between Beijing and New York.
He went to Suzhou and Yangzhou many times to inspect the gardens, and kept running for the design, material selection and architecture of the hotel.
He also sent his right-hand man to Beijing to take charge of specific construction affairs.
In 1982, the Xiangshan Hotel, which integrates the characteristics of Chinese classical gardens, was officially put into use.
Seven months after the opening of the Fragrant Hills Hotel, I.M. Pei was awarded the Pritzker Prize (the Nobel Prize in architecture).
He donated all of his $100,000 prize money to set up oneScholarships** will be used to sponsor Chinese students to study in the United States
However, he attached a rule:
Sponsored students can travel around the United States for a summer after the end of their studies, but:They must return to China and apply what they have learned in China- This was his own ideal.
It is a long-cherished wish of I.M. Pei to let more people build his country, and he hopes that young people will help him achieve it.
In 1983, I.M. Pei built the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong.
The 70-storey glass-clad building, shaped like a table knife, has become a landmark in Hong Kong.
In 2003, I.M. Pei designed the modern Jiangnan-style Suzhou Museum.
I.M. Pei combines his love for his hometown, his Chinese roots, Chinese culture, and geometric shapes into this building.
He affectionately calls it "my little daughter" and says that the Suzhou Museum is an "autobiography" of his.
On the day of the completion of the Suzhou Museum, I.M. Pei did not forget to thank his wife:
To bring architecture to life, here at the Suzhou Museum, I really did it. WhileIt is my wife, Lu Ailing, who gave me artistic life and has always supported this life
Behind every successful man, there is a great woman.
This sentence is perfectly confirmed in I.M. Pei's body.
As I.M. Pei's son said:
My father's success was because of my mother. ”
At work, at a critical moment, Lu Ailing can always give advice to her husband and help him solve problems;
In life, Lu Ailing educated all four children to become talents, so that Pei devoted himself to the construction career without any worries.
Eventually, all four of them graduated from Harvard University and became leaders in their industry.
Among them, the three sons are called Dingzhong, Jianzhong, and Lizhong, and their names imply stability in China, construction in China, and etiquette in China.
A man who has seen the three brothers said:
There is a vague sense of aristocracy in the Pei brothers, which is not only due to their illustrious family history, but more importantlyThat kind of self-confidence in the bones and a way of doing things that will never grovel.
In his later years, I.M. Pei retired from the front line of design and had more time to spend with his family.
Every weekend, the Pei family would go to a Chinese restaurant for dinner.
Chinese value family more than any other relationship, which is very different from American culture.
After the dinner, they each went back to work, but the emotional bond of the family remained close.
Sons Pei Dingzhong and Pei Jianzhong work in their father's office, so they can see their father every day;
Her daughter, Belen, often comes back to visit her parents.
The family is happy and shares the joy of family.
For his happy family and happy marriage, I.M. Pei used it"Chopsticks Theory".Let's use an analogy:
Living under the same roof, the two live together, just like Chinese chopsticks, one yin and one yang, complementing each other; It's still and moving, and it's fun.In 2014, Eileen Lo passed away at the age of 95.
In 2019, I.M. Pei chased his wife away at the age of 102.
Although the Si people are gone, the building is immortal, and every building is his monument!
With his 102-year-old life, I.M. Pei created a great cultural miracle for Chinese architects.
In essence, I.M. Pei is the pride of the Chinese, but also the pride of the whole world and all mankind!
Reference book: "The Biography of I.M. Pei" - Liao Xiaodong.