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 has changed, we have evolved. But I don’t want to forget the beginning. A lasting architecture has to have roots.

I.M. Pei
About This Quote

I used to think that contemporary architecture was about letting go of history and evolving with time. I had also thought that modern architecture was about pushing the boundaries of what we thought possible and pushing forward. However, when I began to study and work on this topic, I realized that contemporary architecture is more fundamentally about honoring something that has been built before. It’s more about respecting the past than it is about setting new standards for future architectural achievements.

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More Quotes By I.M. Pei
  1. Great artists need great clients.
  2. I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity.
  3. 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 has changed, we have evolved. But I don’t want to forget the beginning. A lasting architecture has to have roots.
  4. 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 are the reflection of society.
  5. I want to bring out the best in a community and contribute something of permanent value.
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