Design Theory of
Louis I Kahn
1 Bhargavi 20011AA019
Kundana 20011AA022
Introduction
Louis Isadore Kahn (1901-1974). U.S. architect, educator, and
philosopher is one of the foremost twentieth-century architects.
Born in 1901 on the Baltic Island of Osel, Louis Isadore Kahn's family
emigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1905, where Louis Isadore
Kahn lived the rest of his life.
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Louis Isadore Kahn (1901-1974)
Louis Kahn is regarded as one of the greats in the world of architecture. Known
for his perfect blend of modernism with the depth and grace of ancient
monuments.
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Trained in the manner of the Ecole des Beaux Arts under Paul Philippe
Cret, Louis Isadore Kahn graduated from the University of Pennsylvania
School of Fine Arts in 1924. In the following years, Louis Isadore Kahn
worked in the offices of Philadelphia's leading architects, Paul Cret
(1929-1930) and Zantzinger, Bore and Medary (1930-1932).
Philosophy
During the lean years of the
1930s, Louis Isadore Kahn was
devoted to the study of
modern architecture and
housing.
Kahn devoted his career to the
uncompromising pursuit of
formal perfection and
emotional expression.
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He was continually striving to create spaces that evoked a sense of
spirituality, a sense he felt was lacking in the built environment of that
time.
He believed strongly that architecture should appeal not only to
practical and aesthetic needs but also to the humanistic needs of the
people and communities it serves.
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WORK STYLES
Kahn's architecture is notable for its simple, forms and compositions.
The buildings were characterized by powerful, massive forms through
the use of brick and concrete masonry.
Contemporary & monumental architecture with proportion.
He strove through a sense of masterful sense of space and light.
poetry of light and exposing the materials without altering.
• In his personal philosophy, form is conceived as formless and
unmeasurable, a spiritual power common to all mankind.
It transcends individual thoughts, feelings, and conventions.
• Form characterizes the conceptual essence of one project from
another, and thus it is the initial step in the creative process.
• The union of form and design is realized in the final product, and
the building's symbolic meaning is once again unmeasurable.
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Concept
He was influenced by ancient ruins, Kahn's style tends to the
monumental and monolithic.
Louis Kahn's works are considered as monumental beyond
Modernism.
• Kahn used many different shapes and lines to create his
masterpieces. In his most famous creations, he seems to favor
both parallel and perpendicular lines.
• Buildings included constructional elements such as the mediums
used as well as the color, line, shape, light, and symmetry of the
site.
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“Architecture is the thoughtful making of
spaces” _Louis Kahn.
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Geometry in his work
Among his most famous creations, he seems to favor both
Parallel and perpendicular lines.
Through his bold technique, he created streamlined, radical, and
Futuristic-looking buildings.
His style 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.
Khan was famous for combining Modernism with the weight and
dignity of ancient monuments.
All of Kahn's buildings share a common solidity and heaviness
Their weightless-looking structures were mostly made of glass and
metal
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In his buildings, we see the realization of his vision: luminous
surfaces that evoke a fundamental awe. Silent courtyards
speak of the expansiveness and the sanctity of the spirit.
Monumental columns and graceful arches that embody
dignity and strength.
SPACE AND FUNCTION According to him space played an
essential architectural role that is space and places are
inseparable.
Space is not merely assembly of functions, but it has got
some character too. The space should be designed such that
it speaks out its function.
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Characteristics
Louis I. Kahn evolved an original theoretical and formal
language that revitalized modern architecture. They reveal
an integration of structure, a reverence for materials and
light, a devotion to archetypal geometry, and a profound
concern for humanistic values.
• Kahn sought to redefine the bases of architecture
through a re-examination of structure, form, space, and
light.
• He believes that Natural Light-Brought architecture to
life.
IIM, AHMEDABAD, INDIA
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SIGNIFICANT ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Louis Kahn wanted to redefine the bases of architecture
through a re-examination of structure, form, space, and
light; since his earlier work abstained from the
international style modernism.
National assembly building, Bangladesh
Earlier works of Kahn had a traditional international style of
architecture. However somewhere in the middle of his
career, Kahn turned his back on this traditional approach
and pursued innovation by redefining the use of structure,
light, form and space.
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SOURCES:
https://www.architectural-review.com/architects/louis-
kahn/louis-kahn-the-space-of-ideas
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/louis-kahn-1901-
1974-he-helped-define-modern-architecture-
126066138/112564.html
https://voices.uchicago.edu/201504arth15709-
01a2/2015/11/16/khan-louis/
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