A Study on the Characteristics of Museum Architecture Designed by I.M. Pei - Focused on Museum as a Concept of Local Context -

I.M. 페이의 뮤지엄건축 특성에 관한 연구 - '지역적 컨텍스트' 개념의 뮤지엄 사례분석을 중심으로 -

I.M. Pei, 2nd generation Chinese immigrant to America, has been one of the most recognized architects who designs museum architecture through out the world for completing significant projects such as the East Building of National Gallery of Art(1068-78) as well as Le Grand Louvre Renovation(1983-89) to name a few. His museum architecture, in particular, reveals his detailed consideration on viewer's artistic experience by providing well balanced architecture design to support exhibiting objects while showing his sensitivity on overall functionality of space. In recent projects such as Miho Museum in Japan, Suzhou Museum of China, and Museum of Islamic Art of Qatar, reveals his growing interests in considering "local context" in museum architecture. Therefore, the purpose of this study is focused on analyzing I.M. Pei's three museum projects having its concept focused on local context. Through out the paper, above mentioned museums were analyzed and compared to summarize his design characters and concept including site plan, spatial organization and architectural form. As a result, it is evident that I.M. Pei had put full effort to apply oriental context with modernism through out his museums. In particular, his site plan, spatial organization, and architectural form shows visible connection to comply with nature which is fundamental idea in oriental philosophy. While his basic design philosophy has been borrowed from the tradition, his ultimate design concept shows nature friendliness as well as theoretical system of thoughts and emotion and most of all, his design excellency in representing local context.