Light is the theme: Louis I. Kahn and the Kimbell Art Museum

by Nell E. Compiler Johnson

Originally published in 1975 as a memorial to the Kimbell Art Museum's architect, Louis I. Kahn, Light Is the Theme provides an extended expression of the major themes articulated in his design for the museum. The text consists solely of Kahn's own words and explores his innovative use of natural light and playful employment of materials, which achieve their most refined state in the Kimbell, widely regarded as the architect's crowning achievement and admired as one of the greatest museum buildings of the 20th century.

Genres: Architecture

Paperback

First published June 1, 1975

Reviews

[Rogelio Vidales · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful short book about the Kimbell Art Museum in Texas. Kahn shares many of his ideas about architecture and how he implemented those in the design of the museum.

"Nothing static, nothing static as an electric bulb, which can only give you one iota of the character of light. So the museum has as many moods as there are moments in time, and never as long as the museum remains as a building will there be a single day like no other."

[Howard Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

An elegant pairing of Kahn's words with photos of the museum under construction and finished. This concise book is spacious.

[Derenik Baghramian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short narrative of the architectural concept, the ideology of light and shadows that enriches architectural spaces.