The glass pyramid A story of the Louvre Museum and architect I.M. Pei

Architect I.M. Pei (1917--2019) believed that "success is a collection of problems solved," and designing the Louvre's now-iconic glass pyramid entrance put that philosophy to the ultimate test. In spare, rhythmic prose and digital illustrations that combine architectural elements with vector-like precision, Walker Harvey and Le weave together Pei's biography and the pyramid's creation story. When approaching the project--designed to solve a serious number of visitor flow issues--Pei understands that a purely utilitarian solution won't suffice. The architect finds inspiration in the rock gardens of his family's retreat in China as well as the geometric Gardens of Versailles, but the pyramid's design proves only half the challenge. Pei also faces fierce opposition that he approaches via patience and a partnership with Paris's mayor, a tack that shows how enduring solutions often emerge from a confluence of expertise, imagination, and persuasion. Back matter offers more context. Ages 4--8. (May)

A tour through the process, pitfalls, and ultimately successful 1989 debut of I.M. Pei's redesign of the Louvre. Chosen by France's president for the project, the Chinese American architect initially keeps his commission secret, worried that the French will block the involvement of an outsider. Pei visits the Louvre repeatedly, noting drawbacks that visitors to the museum and staff alike encounter and pondering solutions. He studies Versailles' gardens, focusing on their geometric forms, light, and water features. Harvey acknowledges Pei's Chinese influences, highlighting childhood visits to Buddhist mountain retreats and his family's ancestral garden in Suzhou. The French public's initial resistance is overcome through Pei's press interviews, an in-situ, life-size mock-up of the bold design, and the Paris mayor's approval. The courtyard's 71-foot-tall glass pyramid, whose clear panes allow views of the existing edifice, is a portal leading visitors logically to the museum's three wings. Pei's bold design embodies both his sensitive approach to functional public spaces and his modernist vision. Harvey's narrative features clear exposition, interspersing intriguing details about the discovery of an ancient subterranean castle and moat and the installation and cleaning of the pyramid's 673 glass panes. Le's illustrations deftly juxtapose old and new: childhood scenes in pre-urban China, Pei's notably sleek buildings, and the contrast between the pyramid and the Louvre's centuries-old facades. A clear view into an extraordinary achievement from a legendary architect. (information on architects, biographical note, STEM connections, selected sources, video resources)(Picture-book biography. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.