Radio Taiwan International 
Date: 20 May, 2019
By: Natalie Tso

The great Chinese American architect I.M. Pei passed away last Thursday at the age of 102. He left the world with many well-known works. One of them, the Luce Memorial Chapel at Tunghai University in Taichung, was the only church he designed in his lifetime, and his most significant work in Taiwan.

In 1963, the Luce Memorial Chapel was built at the center of Taiwan’s first Christian university, Tunghai University in Taichung.

A young I. M. Pei with his signature round glasses, on the left, was the architect, along with Chen Chi Kuan.

Pei became one of the most celebrated architects of the 20th century. His signature use of natural light to illuminate and beautify a building is also seen in the skyline and façade of the Luce Chapel.

Architecture Professor Chiu Hao-Hsiu says the light symbolizes the relationship between God and nature. It is a great work of imagery and architectural style. The chapel was donated by Henry R. Luce, the founder of Time and Life magazines, as a way to honor his father, Reverend Henry W. Luce and continue his missionary work.    [FULL  STORY]