Customer Reviews

Louis Kahn: Essential Texts

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I was required to purchase this book for a class on Louis Kahn, and have found it to be an indespensible source of inspiration in everything that I do. I took the class as an art history major who has an intense fascination with architecture, and a love of all things Kahn. The book is a serries of lectures and conversations between Kahn and his students. Some of the questions posed are questions that as creators we all face, and Kahn's answers which may not always offer a perfect solution, make the reader aware that the questions we cannot answer are the source of passion in design. Kahn has an amazing ability to enliven the art of architecture. Because of several events in my life I have chosen the path of design for my future, and one day that road should include architecture. I keep this book close at hand, for days I feel overwhelmed. Kahn's simple words sooth the soul and sometimes make a heart skip a beat.

When one reads Kahn, one finds a hope. This hope is a hope that promises
growth. His last and best philosophical claims, "Silence" and "Light"
invites reader to the "unmeasurable" dimension. It's the dimension of
vertical sublimity and archaic gravity that he saw during his travels in
Egypt and residency in Rome.

Reader is surprised by the fact that Kahn composed Kimbell and Dakka
by poetry long before actual buildings were built. His individual rooms
form a community ,,, his material reveals the story of construction ,,,
his light brings life to every corner of the building.

Just like the image on the cover page, Kahn was capable of drawing a palm
tree with both hands. His left brain enlarges his right brain, and vice versa.
Ambidexterity proves his unusual combination of imagination and calculation
that exponentially bring about immense "A"-rchitectural experience.

Steven Holl used to say that he wanted to work for Kahn right after
schooling because he was the only architect (except one landscape
architect) who has a thought. In Holl's words, "Kahn had an idea
that brought about phenomena."

I sometimes wonder what makes me come back to Kahn. For long, I thought
I was under the spell of Vincent Scully. Then, I thought Exeter/ British
Art Gallery/ Kimbell mesmerized me. Few years ago, I was thrilled to
see Kent Larson's unbuilt projects' renderings. Recenltly,
Nathaniel's "My Architect" shocked me.

Reading this book, now I know why I stick to Kahn.
It's his words. Words that can only be spoken by a person who dares
to pick up burning charcoal. Words that can only be charged by a
person who lives solely on proselytizing architecture.
I hope Kahn's powerful words wet your thirst and silence your
worries as well.

A really good and essential reading on Louis Kahn.
The book is a collection of wonderful essays, speeches delivered by one of the great practitioner of modern architecture.
These texts are truly inspirational.
An addition of few more illustrations would have made this compilation more profound.

Thanks a lot for this collection.