SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
When the time came to construct a new embassy in Northwest DC, China turned to the sons of renowned architect I.M. Pei to design a building that would combine traditional philosophies of Chinese architecture with a modern sensibility. Chien Chung Pei and Li Chung Pei of Pei Partnership Architects created a sleek, geometric limestone structure surrounded by tranquil Chinese-style gardens. Opened last year, the new embassy replaces a series of much smaller buildings; it was built entirely by construction workers from China who traveled to DC for the project.