Finally, we have Pei’s first museum, the Everson Museum of Art, located in Syracuse, New York.  Pei really changed the game with this piece: This is one point in history where many believe that architects began to transition from the idea that a museum should simply be a vessel for art to the idea that the museum itself should be art.  The Museum’s website says that Pei “rejected the traditional notion that a museum needed to be a monumental container for art and decided it ought to be a sculptural work of art in itself.” the museum itself had been moving from building to building for years, until Everson’s generous gift allowed commissioned Pei to create this work of art which was unveiled in 1968.

Another one of I. M. Pei’s most well known pieces is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame located in Cleveland, Ohio.  The building was designed by Pei and was dedicated in 1995.  The building has a very unique appearance, and is made up of 7 levels.  The museum is on the shore of Lake Erie  and houses exhibits of famous people, places, eras, and genres that have influenced the development of the Rock and Roll Art Form.  This piece is, to me, a great collaboration between two distinctly different forms of art.  The building is an architectural masterpiece, and it houses masterpieces of music from decades past.  The museum itself is 55,000 square feet and, according to Pei, was designed to “echo the energy of rock and roll.” A central 162 foot tall tower supports what looks to be a large glass tent leaning against the side of the tower.  The building also houses cafes, stores, and offices for the museum.

Another one of I. M. Pei’s most well known pieces is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame located in Cleveland, Ohio.  The building was designed by Pei and was dedicated in 1995.  The building has a very unique appearance, and is made up of 7 levels.  The museum is on the shore of Lake Erie  and houses exhibits of famous people, places, eras, and genres that have influenced the development of the Rock and Roll Art Form.  This piece is, to me, a great collaboration between two distinctly different forms of art.  The building is an architectural masterpiece, and it houses masterpieces of music from decades past.  The museum itself is 55,000 square feet and, according to Pei, was designed to “echo the energy of rock and roll.” A central 162 foot tall tower supports what looks to be a large glass tent leaning against the side of the tower.  The building also houses cafes, stores, and offices for the museum.

The Louvre in Paris France is one of the most well known art museum’s in the world today.  It houses many famous pieces of art inside.  The museum itself, however, is actually a very impressive piece of art.  One part of the Louvre’s design is the Glass Pyramid which was designed by I. M. Pei.  The pyramid was opened in 1989 and is still an iconic image to this day.  Tourists are often seen taking pictures while creating illusions with this pyramid.  The famous large glass pyramid is actually surrounded by three smaller glass pyramids as well.  Pei was commissioned by the President of France at the time to complete this piece, which speaks to his notoriety as an architect.  The pyramid was, however, criticized by many who claimed that the very chic and modern design was not a fit to the backdrop of the much more classical style of the rest of the palace. The pyramid is definitely well known, and none can argue that it was one of Pei’s most famous pieces.

The Devon Tower is easily the tallest building in Oklahoma City, and one of the tallest buildings in the Midwest.  It dominates OKC’s skyline.  Having grown up in OKC my entire life, I have been here long enough to see the building planned and built.  I was lucky enough to participate in many events in this building during high school.  I was a part of an Oklahoma City Teen Board for two years, and we would have our meeting in downtown OKC and in the base of the tower.  The tower holds memories for me because of this.  I also believe that the tower was part of the reason so much money and new businesses came to the OKC area, helping it prosper and become alive again.  Even if the tower was not the cause of this boom, it was certainly a part of it.  For that reason, this building hold economic and cultural significance for the city of Oklahoma City.

Walker Tower is one of the dormitories on the University of Oklahoma’s Campus in Norman.  The building has 12 floors and a basement.  Most of the building is comprised of dorm rooms, but there is also an area for laundry in the basement, and a convenient store in the lobby.  I lived in Walker Tower during my Freshman year, and the building hold more memories than I could even begin to explain.  I had so many good times in this building and I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything.  Interestingly, my dad also lived in this dormitory when he went to OU many years ago.  I suspect the building will not last much longer, as it has had many problems with black mold recently.

When I was a young child, my family and I traveled to Chicago.  We went there because my dad was completing a stair climbing race in the Willis Tower.  At the time, the building was known as the Sears Tower.  While at the tower, we visited the skydeck.  The skydeck is an observatory at 103 stories above the ground.  There is a box you can walk out into which hangs over the street below.  This entire box, including the floor, is made of glass (or at least a see-through material) which makes for an exciting time.  The sheer height of this building is amazing to see in person, especially from 103 stories looking down.  All the people and cars look like little dots or ants on the ground.  This building is a must see for anyone visiting Chicago.

Two summers ago, my family and I took a trip to Italy.  While we were there, we spent some time in Florence.  Naturally, we had to visit the Cathedral.  I was surprised and amazed by the sight.  The sheer size of the dome is enough to blow you away.  Add to this the fact that the entire Cathedral is ornately designed and decorated and it becomes one of the most impressive buildings in the world.  More than this, the Cathedral was completed in the 1400s, and is thus a feat of engineering as well.  This Cathedral is a must see for anyone who appreciates great architecture.