An Analysis of the Architectural Design of Louis Kahn's The Salk Institute Essay

Standing alone against the endless blue sea, the SalkInstitute by Louis I. Kahn is one of a kind. "Louis Kahn's Salk Institutefor Biological Studies on the Pacific coast near La Jolla aspires within its ownspirit to an order achieved through clarity, definition, and consistency ofapplication"(Heyer 195). To many, this magnificent structure may seem outof place, but it works well with the surrounding environment because of thespatial continuity that it possesses. The relation to the site, the tectoniccharacteristics, and the ideas of servant versus served, combine to achieve agreat sense of order in the Salk Institute. Many of the ideas that went into theconstruction of this design are still utilized in architecture today. Kahn'smodern design takes full advantage of the atmosphere by opening up a broad plazabetween two research and lab wings providing a view of the beautiful PacificOcean and the coastline (Ghirardo 227). The laboratories are separated from thestudy areas, and each study has a view of the magnificent blue Pacific withhorizontal light pouring in. This allows scientists to take a break from theirfrantic studies and clear their minds with a breath-taking view. In relation tothis idea Kahn stated, "I separated the studies from the laboratory andplaced them over the gardens. Now one need not spend all the time in thelaboratories" (Ronner 158). The two lab wings are symmetrical about a smallstream that runs through the middle of the courtyard and feeds into the ocean.This steady ban of water flowing towards the sea symbolizes the success thathuman can accomplish. I thought this idea had a worthy presence, considering theSalk Institute is one that promotes research and study. Thus, the courtyard isconsidered the faade to the sky. Kahn didn't need to dress up the land around the planbecause the Salk Institute is the landscape. It is one with the site. Kahnincorporates the use of tectonic characteristics within this design in a numberof ways. The materials used included wood, concrete, marble, water, and glass,and they all contributed...

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