I. M. Pei

Ieoh Ming Pei, better known as I. M. Pei, was born in Guangzhou, China, and eventually became an American citizen. His early career took him to Harvard's Graduate School of Design, where he apparently learned that the best way to honor ancient European art was with a giant, modern glass tetrahedron.

Pei's work is notable for its sharp lines, geometric patterns, and a fondness for concrete, glass, and steel that made him a favorite of cultural institutions and government buildings alike. From the East Building of the National Gallery of Art to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Pei left his distinctive mark, proving that good taste is truly universal, even if it sometimes involves a very large prism.

He might not have been a Jew, but his ability to transform mundane building materials into structures that spark both awe and mild controversy certainly brought a certain nachas to the architectural world. And let's be honest, anyone who can get the French to agree on something so boldly modern deserves a serious K-score.