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I.M. Pei - The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University

By Jackie Craven, About.com

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Richly textured concrete...

Architectural Concrete Surface at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University, I.M. Pei and John L. Sullivan III, Lead Designers

Architectural Concrete Surface at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University, I.M. Pei and John L. Sullivan III, Lead Designers

Photo © Jackie Craven
The texture and color of the The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University blends with the older masonry buildings adjacent to the museum. The smooth, porous surface resembles a sea-tossed shell.

I.M. Pei and the architects in his firm researched local materials and produced many samples to create a special mix of architectural concrete. Sand and small coarse stone aggregate were combined with cement and water. This carefully mixed batter was poured into a framework of boards and panels that created the surface pattern.

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