Charles Flynn Hirsch

Summary: Ieoh Ming, called I.M. for short, was born in China in 1917 to a artist mother and a banker father. His grandfather was a rock farmer. His surroundings growing up taught him how to look at things with a artful eye and appreciate beauty. At the age of 13 he became determined to become a architect so that he could build skyscrapers. He worked hard to incorporate beauty into his designs even when he was designing low cost housing. He felt it should be beautiful and affordable. He also show more used shapes in his buildings such as triangles. He build the triangle glass building in front of the Louvre in Paris, France.

Personal Reaction: I have been to the Louvre, and have seen the glass triangle out front. I never stopped to think about who designed it or why. I found that part of the book fascinating. I also admire how he worked hard to bring beauty into his designs and the innovation he brought to the architecture world.

Classroom Extension: I would ask the kids to draw a design of their own imagination of a building.

I would also ask them to pick out one of the buildings described in the book and do more research on it and either write a short report on it or give a oral report on it. show less