The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong and the Louvre Pyramid in Paris have something in common that you might not be aware of! These iconic buildings, with their geometric forms of glass and steel, were both designed by Chinese American architect I. M. Pei. Celebrated as one of the greatest architects of the 20th and 21st centuries, his visionary designs have left an indelible mark on the skylines of major cities around the world. But what was his childhood like, and what inspired him to blend modernist principles with unique cultural elements?‘

I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture is on display at Hong Kong’s M+ Plus Museum until January 5, 2025.