Pei Readies Plans for Friday

I.M. Pei, architect for the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, will unveil the revised architectural plans for the library June 7 at 2 p.m. in the city council chambers of the Boston City Hall.

The new drawings are likely to be a complete redesign of the plans. Pei presented to the public in May, 1973.

Although Harvard has not allowed Pei to discuss the new plans for the library, sources said last week that the new proposal will include two completely separate scaled-down buildings, to be constructed in brick to conform with the pattern established by surrounding Harvard Houses.

The original library plans contained provisions for an 85-foot glass pyramid and two 350-seat theaters. Pei eliminated the pyramid and the theaters, however, from the design last April.

The changes were made in response to community concern about the large size of the library, which will be located in the northeast corner of the MBTA yards across from Eliot House.

Opposition to the library ranges from the argument that the design would not fit into the surroundings to the potential problems caused by the necessary parking accomodations for its visitors.

A representative from Pei and Partners said two weeks ago that the library plans have undergone at least three major revisions in the last several months.

Pei's office has been pressing to produce the new plans to meet the mid-July deadline of C.E. Maguire, the firm conducting the environmental impact study of the Kennedy complex.