A Lesson on Louis

Louis Kahn was one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. His monumental structures left a presence of deep serenity and organization. It evoked emotions. His design consisted of geometric shapes, and light. Eventually this light would flood through the abstracted shapes in the shadows of the building. Kahn was considered to be the poet of architecture in the group of famous architects, such as Pei, or Philip  Johnson. His approach to architecture and design was based off his theory of silence and light. 

“Design is not making beauty, beauty emerges from selection, affinities, integration, love.”

Louis Kahn had this theory which directed his design. This theory was one that provoked a sense of curiosity, a sense of wonder, and a strive to dive deeper into its knowledge. Kahn believed that silence represented what does not exist, that silence is the unmeasureable, the desire to be. Light was the other half, the contradiction, the measureable. It indicted that giver of presence and between the both of them it created a movement. He described this inspiration as the Treasury of Shadow, the threshold of silence and light. His inspiration and sanctuary of art that drove to these monumental breathe taking spaces. 

“A great building must begin with the unmeasurable, must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be unmeasurable.”

The Kimball Art Museum (below) was really neat. It provided a source of light above with this beautiful sky light. He created this incredible shape with a skylight that consisted with this diffuser to not damage the artwork. This created this interesting tunnel like structure flowing throughout the gallery. It creates a source of light but without the potential damage to famous works of art. It is functional, clever, beautiful. It reflects his strong presence and key subject in his projects. Above is probably his most famous work. The Sher -e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, the National Assembly building. Monumental, Geometric, Unity. It is simply beautiful resting along the serene reflecting waters.

“To express is to drive.

And when you want to give something presence, 

you have to consult nature.

And there is where Design comes in.

And if you think of Brick, for instance,

and you say to Brick,

"What do you want Brick?"

And Brick says to you

"I like an Arch."

And if you say to Brick

"Look, arches are expensive, 

and I can use a concrete lentil over you. 

What do you think of that?"

"Brick?"

Brick says:

"... I like an Arch"”