LOUIS ISADORE KAHN - His education, life, famous works of him

1. LOUIS ISADORE KAHN
SUBMITTED TO :- AR. PREETI BHATIA
SUBMITTED BY:- SHRUTI VERMA(1731685)

2. CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• CAREER
• AWARD AND ARCHITECTURAL PRINCIPLES
• WORKS
• CONCEPT
• GEOMETRY IN HIS WORK
1. INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, AHEMDABAD.
2. YALE UNIVERSITY OF ART GALLERY, NEW HAVEN.
3. KIMBELL ART MUSEUM, USA.
4. NATIONALASSEMBLY AT DACCA.

3. INTRODUCTION
• Born February 20, 1901 on
Saaremmaa Island in Kuressaare.
• He was AMERICAN architect,
educator, and philosopher.
• He later studied architecture at the
University of Pennsylvania and
opened his own firm in 1935.
• Louis Kahn is considered one of the
foremost architects of the late
twentieth century.
• Kahn received the AIA Gold Medal in
1971 and the RIBA Gold Medal in
1972.

4. CAREER
• Kahn’s Career began as a teacher at Yale University in 1947.
• Professor at MIT in 1956.
• Professor at University of Pennsylvania town 1957 until his death.
• Visiting lecturer at Princeton University from 1961 to 1967
• Elected Fellow in the AIA in 1953.
• Co-Founder of the Architectural Research Group in 1932.
• Fellow of the royal Institute of British art in 1972.

5. • AIA Gold Medal in 1971.
• Royal Gold Medal by RIBA in
1972
• Arnold W. Brunner Memorial
Prize
• Gold medal for Architecture
from NIAL
ARCHITECTURAL
PRINCIPLES
• Worked with simple materials,
notably brick and concrete.
• Building included constructional
elements such as the mediums used
as well as the color, line, shape,
light, and the symmetry of the site.
• Influenced by ancient Greek &
Italian Architecture.
• Kahn’s architecture is notable for
its “SIMPLE, PLATONIC
FORMS AND COMPOSITION”.
• .“A BUILDING MUST NOT
ONLY FULFIL ITS PURPOSE,
BUT BE SEEM TO DO SO.”
AWARD

6. WORKS
• Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
• National Assembly at dhaka.
• Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Connecticut,(1951–1953),
• Richards Medical Research Laboratories, University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (1957–1965),
• The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, (1959–1965),
• First Unitarian Church, Rochester, New York (1959–1969),.
• Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban (National Assembly Building) in Dhaka,
Bangladesh (1962–1974)
• Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka,
Bangladesh (1963)
• Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas, (1967–1972),
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, Roosevelt Island, New
York, (1972–1974)

7. CONCEPT
Influenced by ancient ruins, Kahn's style tends to the monumental and
monolithic; his heavy buildings do not hide their weight, their materials,
or the way they are assembled. Louis Kahn's works are considered as
monumental beyond modernism.
THE JONAS SALK INSTITUTE FOR
BIOLOGICAL STUDIES

8. GEOMETRY IN HIS WORKS
 Kahn used many different shapes and LINES to create his masterpieces.
 However, among his most famous creations, he seems to favor both
PARALLEL and PERPENDICULAR LINES.
 Through his bold technique, he created streamline, radical, and
futuristic looking buildings.
 His stile is his own, and his creations are legendary, through the use of
GEOMETRY, he has created both beautiful works of art, and useful
establishments, for the whole world to enjoy.

9. 1. INDIAN INSTITUTE OF
MANAGEMENT, AHMEDABAD.
• LOCATION:- AHMEDABAD,
GUJARAT INDIA
• SITE AREA : 66 ACRES (western
side of the city)
• ESTABLISHED :- 1961
• TYPE:- EDUCATION AND
RESEARCH INSTITUTION
• CHIEF ARCHITECT : LOUIS
KAHN ,B.V DOSHI, ANANT RAJE
• ARCHITECTURE STYLE :
MODERN

10. HISTORY
• It was established in 1961 as an
autonomous Institution by the
government of India in Collaboration
with the government of Gujarat And
Indian industry.
• Dr. Vikram sarabhai, a noted Scientist
and industrialist and other Ahmedabad
Based industrialists such as Kasturba
lalbhai Played a major role in the
creation of the institute.
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
• The campus of IIMA is dominated by
the baked brick Style favoured by
the its chief architect, the famous
Louis Kahn.
• All the structures are Designed to be
part of a whole and looks one
Integral whole.
• Other architects who Collaborated on
the campus include the Renowned
B. V. DOSHI and ANANT RAJE.

11. • He incorporated local materials( brick and concrete) and large
geometrical façade extractions as homage to Indian vernacular
architecture.
• It was Kahn's method of blending modern architecture and Indian
tradition into an architecture that could only be applied for I.I.M.
• The large facades are positioned to act as light wells and natural
cooling system protecting the interiors from India’s harsh desert
climate.
• The porous, geometric façade acts as filters for sunlight
and ventilation.
• The broad airy corridors ,the amphitheater like classrooms and
transition spaces.

12. ACADEMIC COMPLEX
• The Academic complex comprises of the following :-
• Library , School Building, Faculty blocks ,Dormitories, Louis Khan
Plaza
CAMPUS LAYOUT
• Separate entries for institutional and residential complex.
• Separate service entry.
• Academics and social activities have been integrated with students
and staff living.
• Institutional Complex is taken as Focal Building.
• Auditorium is located near main entrance for easy access for visitors.
• Residential areas have been planned in Hierarchical pattern
• School building Is planned around a court.
• School building and students dorm have been placed diagonally to
take advantage of winds from southwest.

13. ACADEMIC COMPLEX

14. INTERIOR VIEW OF LIBRARY
EXTERIOR VIEW OF LIBRARY
LIBRARY BLOCK

15. FIRST FLOOR PLAN OF LIBRARY
• The library building is five
storeyed structure with
rectangular plan.
• It is approached by a broad,
imposing flight of steps
from the parking lot.
• The design has been
conceived to entail movement
from the active movement
to most private and quite carrels
at the farthes reaches.

16. SECOND FLOOR PLAN OF LIBRARY
Accommodate triple height reading hall and conference
hall

17. CLASS ROOMS
• The shape of classroom is
Hexagonal.
• The Design of class room is based
on the seminar type interaction
between the students and the
faculty.
• Windows are high to get glare free
light.
INTERIOR VIEW OF CLASSROOM

18. FACULTY BLOCKS
• Faculty block is on the right side
of the main entrance.
• It is four stored building with
four blocks.
• All the openings are designed to
overlook the adjacent and
landscape garden and Louis Khan
Plaza.

19. DORMITORIES
• The shape of each
dormitory block is square
with two residential wings,
triangular lounge and a
service area.
• The position of the
staircase and washroom are
meant to protect the living
room from sun and glare
without obstructing and the
breeze and ventilation.

20. DIAGRAM OF DORMITORY WING

21. DORMITORY BLOCK
COURTYARD
BETWEEN
DORMITORY BLOCK

22. LOUIS KHAN PLAZA
• Instead of small courtyard, one
large court has been planned in
the center to relate the movement
around.
AUDITORIUM
• CAPACITY : 550 SEATS
• ENTRANCE LOBBY : 560 Sq. ft.
• FOYER : 560 Sq. ft.
• AUDITORIUM HALL: 3000
Sq.ft
• CONFERENCE ROOM : 200
Sq.ft
• SEMINAR ROOM :400 Sq. ft.

23. BUILDING MATERIALS
• Brick has been used as
primary building material for
the Entire complex walls,
columns.
• Brick arches have been used
for wide spans.
• Use of concrete has been
restricted to foundations,
floor Slabs, and ties for
arched openings

24. 2. YALE UNIVERSITY OF ART GALLERY
• LOCATION- New Haven,
Connecticut
• DATE -1969 to 1974
• BUILDING TYPE- art
museum with mixed use retail
• CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM
-concrete
• CLIMATE –temperate
• CONTEXT- urban
• STYLE -Modern

25. • The Art Gallery of Yale
University was the first major
commission for Louis Kahn
and is considered his first
masterpiece.
• This building was the first of
three art museums that Kahn
would design throughout his
career.
With the Yale Art Gallery, Louis Kahn
sets new concepts such as,
• SYMMETRY
• Clear separation between SPACE and
SPACE.
• A new vocabulary based on the TRIANGLE
and the CIRCLE.
• The triangle as a figure appears on the stairs
and as structural concept in the construction
forged rosettes.

31. • The building is constructed of brick,
concrete, glass and steel became a
significant departure from neo-
gothic style.
• The building is perceived as a facade
of brick, windowless, monolithic, is
the southwest facade.
• The building's interior is
characterized by a system of precast
concrete roof that houses the gallery
lighting and ventilation.
• It is in the walls facing the northeast
and northwest where several pieces
are rectangular glass curtain wall.
• The staircase is a triangle of three
stages involved in a cylinder and
that is not reflected to the outside.
• The staircase is topped with a
triangular element repeats
concrete floor.
MATERIALS

32. SPACES
• It was conceived as a unique,
modular, consisting of two prismatic,
• Two areas served by a central core
where there are facilities, elevators
and stairs, spaces servants.
• The exhibition rooms are created
using modular panels that subdivide
the space
ACCESS
The entrance stairway at Yale
is located at the bottom of a
space formed by the recession
of the flat, white wall which
gives access to a door built of
glass. From the outside access
to a hall that is diverted to the
open spaces of the first floor.

34. 3. KIMBELLART MUSEUM
• ARCHITECT : LOUIS I KAHN
• LOCATION : Fort worth, Texas,
USA
• DATE : 1967 to 1972
• BUILDING TYPE : art museum
• CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM :
reinforced concrete
• CLIMATE : temperate
• STYLE : modern

35.  Located in fort worth, texas, USA.
 Opened to the public for the first time in 1972.
 A mecca of modern architecture.
 Natural light enters through narrow Plexiglas skylights along the top
of cycloid barrel vault.
 Wing-shaped pierced-aluminum reflectors hang below the vault.
 Main (west) facade of the building consists of three 100-foot bays,
each fronted by an open, barrel-vaulted portico, with the Central,
entrance bay recessed and glazed.
 Three courtyards punctuate the interior space.
 Grand arches from roman architecture have been used.

38. ELEVATION

39. SECTIONS

40. SELECTION OF MATERIALS
 Kahn selected materials that
complemented each other in tone and
surface.
 These were travertine, concrete, white
oak, metal and glass.
 These gave a sense of serenity,
simplicity and elegance.
LIGHTING -
 Natural light has been used to
illuminate museum spaces so that
visitors may be able to relate to nature
and the effects of changing weather
while inside.
 Cycloid vault with “narrow slits to the
sky” that allowed natural light to enter
and transform the space have been
given.

41. The light strikes a suspended convex,
perforated-aluminium “natural light
fixture”, in the words of Kahn that
prevents direct light from entering
the space. As the light reflects onto
the cool, curved concrete, it retains
what Kahn called the “silver” quality
of Texas light.

42. 4. NATIONALASSEMBLY, DHAKA, BANGLADESH
• LOCATION: Dhaka Bangladesh
• ESTABLISH: 1962 to 1974
• BUILDING TYPE: Government
CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM:
Concrete, marble
• CLIMATE: Monsoon
Louis Kahn’s National Assembly
Building of Bangladesh in Dhaka is an
extraordinary example of modern
architecture being transcribed as a part
of Bangali vernacular architecture.

43. • The National Assembly building,
completed in 1982, stands as one of
Kahn’s most prominent works, but also
as a symbolic monument to the
government of Bangladesh.
• The intention of Kahn for the parliament
was to produce an ideal expression for
the new democracy by using perfectly
geometric shapes: circle, the half circle,
square and triangle.
River map of bangladesh
Flag of Bangladesh
Monumental style,
Represents culture of Bangladesh and traditional architecture.

44. Axial
geometric
layouts
Voids filter natural
light and ventilation
Circular openings
Modernist
abstraction
Triangular and circular
openings as
glass fenestration
in Lik’s architecture there is
absence of rectangular
openings which are
commonly used.

45. PLAN
Geometrical order, space and light,
as well as resonances with
traditional material.
Axial symmetry

46. PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE
Central space is accessed only
by authorities of parliament.
It is central most gathering
Space.
Expressive structural members with rough
concrete finish and white marble enclosing
passage

47. • There are eight halls that are concentrically
aligned around the parliamentary grand chamber
• The interior of the Assembly Building is divided
into three zones.
• The Central zone is the area of the Assembly.
• The middle zone provides inner circulation, ties
together the galleries of the people and the press
gives access to Committee rooms and the Library.
• The outer zone is the area of the offices, Party
Rooms, Lounges, Tea Rooms and Restaurant, the
Garden Entrance, and the Entrance of the Mosque.
• The plan is born of a square that has been
manipulated to reach an octagon.
• There are four identical blocks of offices along
with other features in the blocks of the corners.

48. Circular arches of
spanning along brick
arrangement
Use of exposed rough
Concrete and brick as
traditional material for
Bangladesh Parliament,
Dhaka.
ARTIFICAL LAKE : The
sheer mass of the
monumentally scaled
National Assembly and the
artificial lake surrounding the
building act as a natural
insulator and cooling system
that also begin to create
interesting spatial and lighting
conditions

49. GEOMETRIC SHAPES :
• The geometric shapes found on the different
faces of the façade add a dramatic impact to
the overall composition of the building.
• The geometric shapes are abstracted forms
serve as light wells and a natural
environmental control system for the interior.
• For Kahn, light was an important aspect in the
design of a building, not just as a way to
illuminate a space, but rather conceptualizing
light as a creator of space.

50. SEMICIRCULAR
OPENINGS
WAFFLE SLAB
FINS AS CEILING

51. THANK YOU