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Modernism, a style characterized by clean lines, geometric shapes, and a focus on functionality, was I. M. Pei's architectural approach at MIT. He believed that buildings should serve their purpose efficiently and aesthetically, without unnecessary ornamentation. Pei's modernist designs at MIT include the Kresge Auditorium, with its distinctive hyperbolic paraboloid roof, and the Green Building, known for its energy-efficient features and innovative use of natural light.