Pei turns a research campus into a geometry lesson—order, light, and a canyon-like central void.
Independent biomedical research institute.
Featured in I. M. Pei's definitive monograph, I.M. Pei: Complete Works.
Visitor Guide
Move through the main axis and look for how daylight is ‘metered’—Pei designs light like an instrument panel.
Central courtyard/axis shot in late afternoon for long shadows that emphasize the sectional logic.
Working research institute; public access is typically limited. Exterior/campus viewpoints may be possible depending on policies.
Pei’s real signature here is not form—it’s procession: the plan is an argument you walk through.
30–60 minutes
Design & Structure
Campus planning with strict axial control, modular lab planning, and daylight strategy integrated into massing and courtyards.
Concrete/stone + glass—materials chosen to sharpen edges and control glare while aging well in sun.
Conventional structure supporting large, flexible lab spans and service-heavy floor plates.
More by I. M. Pei
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Louvre
State University of New York at Fredonia
University of Rochester
Cornell University
Syracuse University
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Nearby in California
Eleanor Roosevelt College
Loyola Law School
Jessup University
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences
Clorox Building
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Buck Institute for Research on Aging?+
Buck Institute for Research on Aging was designed by I. M. Pei. It is located in California, United States.
Where is Buck Institute for Research on Aging located?+
Buck Institute for Research on Aging is located in California, United States. Its coordinates are 38.1339°, -122.5700°.
Can I visit Buck Institute for Research on Aging?+
Buck Institute for Research on Aging is a real building in California that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.