Louis Isadore Kahn was an American architect known for his monumental and monolithic modern designs. A turning point in his career came in 1950-51 when he visited ancient ruins in Greece and Egypt, inspiring him to combine classical forms and durable materials with modern techniques. He established a style influenced by solid forms, light/shadow contrasts, and a distinction between "served" and "servant" spaces. Two of his most admired works were the Yale University Art Gallery, known for its triangular staircase and use of concrete, brick and glass, and the Bangladesh National Assembly Building, a massive legislative complex featuring a central chamber lit by a parabolic shell roof.

1. LOUIS ISADORE KAHN
(Itze-Lieb Schmnilowsky)
Prepared by:
Rabi Shilpakar(073 BAE 225)
Stoj Shakya(073 BAE 241)

2. INDEX
• BIOGRAPHY
• TURNING POINT
• PHILOSOPHY
• MOST ADMIRED PROJECTS
• YALE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY
• JAITYA SANGSAD BHAWAN
• CONCLUSIONS

3. BIOGRAPHY
Birth: February 20,1901 AD in Saaremaa, Estonia
Nationality: American (immigrated from Russia at the
age of 5)
Parents: Leib Schmwuilowsky and Bertha Mendelsohn
Spouse: Esther
Children: Nathaniel Kahn
Death: March 17,1974 AD at the age of 74
Due to Cardiac Arrest
Awards: AIA Gold medal in 1971 AD
RIBA Gold medal in 1972 Ad

4. EDUCATION:
graduated in architecture at the University of Pennsylvania in
1924 when the Beaux Arts was fading and modern
architecture was rising.
OCCUPATION:
worked in various firms in Philadelphia, he founded his own
firm in 1935 AD
Professor of architecture and design critic at Yale school of
architecture and at the University of Pennsylvania
Louis’ mission in life is to develop the tools that allow him to
be truly helpful to others. Louis Kahn is blessed with musical
talent, as well as in the visual and performing arts.

5. TURNING POINT
In 1950-51 AD, Kahn was the architect in residence at
the American Academy in Rome, which is considered to
be a high point in his career. During this period, he also
visited Greece and Egypt. Inspired by the ancient ruins
and Renaissance buildings he had seen, Kahn would use
classical architecture’s solid forms and durable
materials in his work, combining these timeless forms
with modern techniques. He established his own style
as influenced by former contemporary movements.

6. PHILOSOPHY
• Starting with the conclusion and then working back to
the beginning.
• Purity of materials
• His heavy buildings do not hide their weight, their
materials, or the way they are assembled.
• Forms characterizes the conceptual essence of one
project from another
• Enjoys massiveness
• Light / no light

7. • His architecture was the amalgam of his Beaux Arts
education and a personal aesthetic impulse to
develop his own architectural forms.
• Influenced by ancient ruins, Kahn’s style tends to
monumental and monolithic .
• He categorized his spaces into ‘served’ and ‘servant’
spaces
Served space: areas where occupants live or work
like commercial spaces, living
spaces, kitchens, bedrooms
Servant space: functional areas like stairwells,
corridors, lifts, storage spaces,
restrooms, courtyards, etc.

8. MOST ADMIRED PROJECTS
• KimbellArt museum (1967-1962)
• Phillips Exeter Academy Library (1965-1972)
• Yale University Art Gallery (1951-1953)
• Margaret Esherick House (1959-1961)
• Yale Center For BritishArt (1969-1974)
• Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (1962-1974)
• First Unitarian Church Of Rochester (1959-1965)

9. • Richards Medical Research Laboratory (1957-1965)
• Trenton Bath House (1954-1959)
• Wharton Esherick Museum (1926-1966)
• Flora Lamson Hewlett Library (1981-1987)
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedom (1972-1974)
• Indian Institute of management (1962)
• Salk institute for biological studies (1959-1966)
Nepal family planning and maternal child health
welfare building in Kathmandu is one of the buildings
designed by Louis I. Kahn

10. YALE UNIVERSITY ART
GALLERY

11. GENERAL INFORMATION:
Location: Chapel Street, New Heaven, USA
Construction period: 1951-1953 AD
Expansion cost: $135 million
Total area: 1.61 acres (6500 sq. meters)
Architectural Style: Modern Architecture
Architect: Louis Kahn

12. HISTORY
• Gallery was founded in 1832
• Street hall was designed by Peter BonnettWight in 1866.
• In 1926 a new building was constructed which was
designed by Egerton Swartwout.
• In 1953 Louis Kahn designed the renowned modernist
building that is adjacent to the two neo-Gothic structures.
Currently the building consists of three interconnected
structures: the gothic building,The Hall Street and the main
building designed by Louis Kahn.

13. DESCRIPTION
1st major commission for Louis Kahn & 1st masterpiece
Designed when he was invited as a critic at the school of
architecture at theYale University.
Constructed of brick, concrete, glass, and steel, and a
windowless wall along its most public façade.
Building’s interior is characterized by a system of precast
concrete roof that houses the gallery lighting and ventilation.
The roof gives the interior a rich and changing quality.
The building included open spaces for the exhibition of art and
studio spaces for use by art and architecture students.

15. PLAN

16. SECTIONAL VIEW

18. THE STAIRCASE
The staircase is a triangle
of three stages involved
in a cylinder
Noting the stairs from
upper floor is it was
designed and executed in
vertical drop into deep
space
Staircase is topped with
triangular element with a
key role for the entry of
light

19. CONCEPT
Used concepts like symmetry, clear separation between
served space and servant spaces.
New vocabulary based on the triangle and circle.

20. JATIYA SANGSAD BHABAN
(NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING)

21. GENERAL INFORMATIONS:
Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Construction period: 1961-1982
Cost: US$32 million
Area: 200 acres (800,000 sq. meter)
Architectural style: Modern, Monumental
Structural system: Reinforced concrete,
brickwork

22. Architect: Louis Kahn and Muzharul Islam (co-
architect)
Kahn died when the project was approx.
three quarters completed, observed by
David Wisdom & Henry Wilcots Associates
after death.
Structural Engineer: Keast and Hood and Harry
Palmbaum
Mechanical Engineer: D’Ambly
Contractors: Engineers LTD. Dhaka, Bangladesh
Labor: 100% domestic where 20% skilled

23. Where Architect Gets The Idea About Sangsad
Bhaban:
The architect observed both the vernacular and
monumental archetypes of the region. He
abstracted and transformed his observations in
such a way that the building has both modern
character and Bangladeshi character from
many eras and civilizations.

24. DESCRIPTION
The artificial lake around the building is to portray the
riverine beauty of Bangladesh and also adds to the aesthetic
value of the site.
the outer wall punctuated by pure geometrical openings,
shaping the building’s overall impact
No paint or plaster used to maintain the purity of the
surface.
Mass of the concrete lined with marble stripes
One of the 20th century’s most significant buildings
One of the largest legislative complexes in the world.

25. PLAN

26. SECTIONAL FRONT VIEW

27. The Main Building:
 Consists of 9 individual blocks
• 8 peripheral blocks (height=
110ft)
• Central octagonal block (height=
155ft) used as the Assembly
chamber having only one column.
All the blocks are inter-linked by
corridors, lifts, stairs, light courts,
circular areas.

28. The main building at the center of the complex is divided
into three parts
A. The main plaza:
18.89 acres (76,000 sq. meter)
B. South plaza:
5.12 acres (21,000 sq. meter)
C. Presidential plaza:
1.49 acres (6,000 sq. meter)
A
C
B

29. The Main Plaza:
The most important part is The
Parliament Chamber (max.
height= 117 ft.)
The roof is a parabolic shell roof
with a large clearance to let in
daylight.
To provide zero obstruction to
the entry of natural light, the
artificial lighting was carefully
devised by suspending a
chandelier consisting metallic
web like structure that supports
the lights.

30. The South Plaza:
Faces the Manik Mia Avenue
Gradually rises to a height of 20’
Serves as a beautiful exterior as well as main entrance.
The Presidential Plaza:
Lies to the north and faces the lake road
Serves as a private plaza for MP’s and other dignitaries.

31. DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
The key design philosophy was to represent
Bangladeshi culture and heritage, while at the same
time optimizing the use of space.

32. CONCLUSION
Used different shape, lines and natural light to create
his masterpiece. Among his most famous creations,
he seems to favor both parallel and perpendicular
lines.He has his own style and his creations are
legendary through the use of geometry. The forms he
uses in his designs aren’t complex. He has created
both beautiful works of art, and useful
establishments, for the whole world to enjoy.

33. ANY
QUESTIONS

34. THANK YOU