ARCH 304 History of Architecture II MODERNISM in the mid and late 20th century Sofia Sebastian

Louis Kahn Richards Medical Research Building (1956) Philadelphia Create symmetrical, hierarchically arranged compositions To produce monumentality, even in normal functions – render the normal buildings extraordinary and the extraordinary transcendent. . Richards Medical Research Building (1956) University of Pennsylvania . Influential composition Plan – a model of rationalism Medical loboratories are square, open plan, glass walled spaces stacked into towers Pairs of columns set on each side support the structural grid of each floor While ducts, mechanical services, elevators and stairs are set in brick shafts

Louis Kahn Salk Institute for Biological Sciences (1965) California . Lawn became a paved plaza Between concrete faces of laboratory towers Narrow linear stream of water leading to the ocean and the horizon .

Louis Kahn National assembly of Bangladesh, Dacca (1974) . Ideal geometrical forms Circles and squares Expressed volumetrically as prisms Grand interior .

Louis Kahn Philips Exeter Academy (1972) . Used arch and vault – metaphor (symbol) Square building dominated by the cubical volume at the center Huge circular cutouts provide vistas into the library stacks Individual study carrels surround the stack on each floor Brick exterior .

Louis Kahn Kimbell Art Museum (1972) . Used arch and vault – metaphor (symbol) Apparently Barrel vaulted bays Actually covered by a pair of cantilevers meeting at a continuous skylight Natural light – rich spatial experience 16 units side by side in 3 ranks Poured cast in site concrete Travertine, oak wood, stainless steel .