Photo © Richard Caspole |
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Louis I. Kahn's gentle masterpiece
By James Murdock
Some 31 years after his death, Louis I. Kahn still holds our fascination. The recent documentary film about him, My Architect, was a great success, and his work continues to net awards. The Yale Center for British Art, Kahn's last major commission, begun in 1973 and finished by the architects Pellecchia and Meyers in 1977, is this year's AIA 25 Year Award winner. It is the fifth Kahn building recognized with the honor. This might appear excessive to some observers, but as one AIA juror remarked, "If only there were more Kahn buildings to award."
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"The materiality and the language of the wood framed in stainless steel, concrete,
and natural linens is still a delight for the eyes." |
Kahn's works seem destined for an award slated for buildings that stand the test of time. Most of his designs were inspired by the bold scale and timeless geometry of ancient monuments, such as the Egyptian pyramids. Although the Center for British Art is a more intimate creation—and its exterior cladding of matte steel and glass deviates from Kahn's signature use of earthy materials such as brick and concrete—his aesthetic is unmistakable in the interior finishes, such as the glowing, honey-colored oak wall panels and travertine floors.
What truly defines the Center for British Art—a characteristic it shares with all of Kahn's buildings—is the way in which natural light fills virtually every space: flooding down from skylights, suffusing two interior courtyards, and filtering through the glass facade. Amy Meyers, the center's director, says that the layout of its circulation spaces and galleries is also symbolic. "The design is about the process of enlightenment; it lets you read the building in relation to the art," she observes. "It's a rational building. Nothing is mysterious." This might seen as an ironic statement, given the secrecy surrounding Kahn's personal life, but the enduring genius of his buildings is that they are nothing if not direct.
2005 Honor Awards index | Architecture Awards | Interiors Awards
Urban Design | 25 Year Award | Firm Award | Gold Medal Award
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