CHICAGO – The American Institute of Steel Construction Friday remembered legendary architect I.M. Pei, who died early Thursday at the age of 102.

“I.M. Pei leaves a physical and intellectual legacy of constant innovation, much of which featured steel as the structural medium,” AISC President Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD, said. “His many iconic structures will inspire generations of architects to push the boundaries and bring new ideas to life, and we look forward to being part of that celebration of his work and influence.”

Pei is perhaps best remembered for the steel-and-glass pyramids he designed for Paris’s Louvre Museum 30 years ago. The controversial structures have become enduring symbols of the city’s constant re-invention.

In 2013, AISC honored Pei’s NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., with an Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS²) award. A sinuous steel ribbon with inset running lights envelops the exterior of the building, evoking the speed, spectacle, and spirit of NASCAR. More details about this building’s remarkable achievements in both architecture and engineering can be found in the May 2013 issue of Modern Steel Construction magazine. 

The landmark Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland also won AISC awards in 1997 for innovative design and architectural excellence as well as excellence in engineering. The building’s geometric composition mimics the rhythm of the dynamic music it honors.