I.M. Pei, whose acclaimed architecture transformed the built environment around the world, has died at age 102.: I.M. Pei, the Chinese-born, American-trained Modernist architect whose work transformed cities around the world and was widely celebrated by fellow architects, has died. He was 102. Marc Diamond, director of communications for Pei's storied firm, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, confirmed his death to USA TODAY on Thursday. The New York Times architecture critic, Paul Goldberger, reported his son, Li Chung Pei, confirmed he died overnight. A cause was not disclosed.