Between Silence and Light: Spirit in the Architecture of Louis I. Kahn

by John Lobell, Louis I. Kahn

In the development of contemporary architecture, no one has had a greater influence than Louis I. Kahn, whose many buildings include the Salk Institute, the Yale Study Center, and the Exeter Library. He is remembered, however, not only as a master builder, but also as one of the most important and creative thinkers of the twentieth century.

For Kahn, the study of architecture was the study of human beings, their highest aspirations and most profound truths. He searched for forms and materials to express the subtlety and grandeur of life. In his buildings we see the realization of his vision: luminous surfaces that evoke a fundamental awe, silent courtyards that speak of the expansiveness and the sanctity of the spirit, monumental columns and graceful arches that embody dignity and strength.

Updated with a new preface, this classic work is a major statement on human creativity, showing us Louis Kahn as architect, visionary, and poet.

Genres: Architecture, Art, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 1979

Reviews

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very philosophical but I liked it...I LIKED IT. A freakin architecture book. Does that mean I can sit at the adult table now?

[James Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My interest in architecture was encouraged more than four years ago when I viewed the documentary My Architect based on the life of Louis Kahn. Kahn (1902-1974) was one of the great architects of the twentieth century. John Lobell described Louis Kahn's approach to architecture best in the introduction to his book on Kahn, Between Silence and Light:

Louis Kahn saw architecture as the meeting of the measurable and the unmeasurable. He used the word "Silence" for the unmeasurable, for that which is not yet; and the word "Light" for the measurable, for that which is. Kahn saw architecture as existing at a threshold between silence and light, which he called the Treasury of the Shadow.

The spirit of Louis Kahn and his spirituality are demonstrated again and again through his creativity, in his buildings which are still with us. Some of the greatest of these include the Salk Institute for Biological Studies (my favorite), the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, and the Philips Exeter Academy Library. Above all Kahn created works that preserved art through time and thought, inspiring the world in the process.

[Wendy Dubow Polins · Rating 4 out of 5]

My architecture hero. Filled with quotes, drawings, photographs and the inspiration for his many visionary projects.

[Bob Nase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect coffee table book in an architect's studio. The didactic philo. of an archetype seeker.

[චාමර හේරත් · Rating 5 out of 5]

good one

[Howard Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, architect John Lobell, has selected Kahn’s key lessons in Kahn’s own words and matched them to photos of Kahn’s buildings and ones that have served as his inspiration. Kahn was known for the way he spoke. His words are at once clear and mysterious, poetic and ancient. At times it’s as if someone had managed to translate the Oracle at Delphi into English. At other times he sounds like Lao Tzu at the drafting table. But it’s all Kahn, and it’s worth reading. Lobell’s short commentary makes up the second part of the book. It’s an admirably short, incisive introduction to Kahn’s design philosophy. Stop here before taking on Kahn’s collected writings, lectures and interviews.

[Bradford Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book of Louis I. Kahn's wise words. Item: Kahn said that a city is a place where persons may live lives of desire not need, a place where a small boy, going from the workshop of one master craftsman after another, can find something he WANTS to do for his whole life. This has little to do with population agglomeration which is often associated with the idea of "city".

The antipodal contrast with this is Robert Venturi's "Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture", which celebrates decorating sheds.

"Between silence and light" is a lovely and rich little book to grace any architect's or other cultured person's library and their life.

[Kayla Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not necessarily interested in architecture but a friend who loves Kahn's work, in particular, lent me this book. I found myself enchanted with Kahn's voice and philosophy. I saved several favorite quotes from this slim book. I also hope to visit some of Kahn's buildings in person.

[Merih · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetical:)

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read Kahn's philosophy in his own words and think more about his background. The photos of his buildings are not top quality.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

The architectural criticism and entries on Kahn's buildings are very interesting and written for the general reader, but the paraphrased quotes of Kahn's lectures seem like infantile, teenage Buddhism and made me lose a little respect for him as a teacher.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise and wonderful insight into the mind, writing and architecture of Louis Kahn. A appreciated the blend of Kahn's own words alongside project images, as well as more detailed project examinations by the author. A fascinating and brilliant man, I will be reading more about Kahn.

[Jessica King · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful, Kahn's a smart guy