Page "I. M. Pei" Paragraph 53

Working with his associate Theodore Musho, Pei developed a design centered on a building with a top much wider than the bottom ; the facade leans at an angle of 34 degrees.

A plaza stretches out before the building, and a series of support columns holds it up.

It was influenced by Le Corbusier's High Court building in Chandigarh, India ; Pei sought to use the significant overhang to unify building and plaza.

The project cost much more than initially expected, and took 11 years.

Revenue was secured in part by including a subterranean parking garage.

The interior of the city hall is large and spacious ; windows in the ceiling above the eighth floor fill the main space with light.