"My Architect " discovered again

Several years ago I watched with Lewis the movie by Nathanial Kahn about his father Louis Kahn.  We watched again last night.  I remember being impressed  with the documentary and the scope of design of his architecture.  I am continually impressed with the people either born in the 19th century or in his case the very early years of the 20th century, who were able to not only bridge the great advancement of thought into modernism but totally embrace it.  These men of that period forged ahead attempting to design a whole new world.

National Assembly Building Banglidesh by Kahn

The city of Philadelphia in the 1960's was launching a decade of immense redevelopment of the city.  Louis Kahn who had spent most of his life in Philly decided to participate.  He drew up plans for the city center and did much work without any commission.  In the end Philadelphia did not go with his plans.  His visions would have done a great deal for the city.  Many of the ideas that he had come up with for their city center he used in the work that culminated his career in Banglidesh.  What a pity that Philadelphia passed his ideas by.

Ceiling Banglidesh

His work may be seen in the building he designed for the Salk research center in La Jola CA, and in library designed for the Exeter Academy.

Exeter Academy Library

 What an inspiring building in which to build ones mind.  Kahn's use of circles and geometry as well as soaring heights make his buildings awe inspiring.  He loved light and was able to harness light in the most unique ways into his buildings.  What a masterful designer!