The Emotional Impact To The Architecture: Salk Institude

Salk Institute was designed by architect Louis Kahn in USA. Louis Kahn believed buildings should be monumental and spiritually inspiring. So in his design for the Salk Institute, he was creating the formal perfection and emotional expressions that he tried to achieve.

For me, the important to note and great impact are Louis Kahn’s imaginative use of space and his high regard for natural light. He took advantage of the site's tranquil surroundings and abundant natural light. In order for some spaces that could not receive sunlight due to zoning codes which the first two stories had to be underground, sinking the laboratories in the courtyard to receive ample sunlight, Louis Kahn designed a series of light wells on both sides of each building.

“The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a building.” - Louis Kahn

Above photos have shown the building with different times.

As I have mentioned at top, he was creating the formal perfection and emotional expressions that he tried to achieve. For me, I think that he is using the natural light and materials to represent the silence, calm and peaceful just like out of time. And it makes me feel so when I look to those photos. I think what Louis Kahn is tried to achieve in his design for the Salk Institute is greatly successful as what the emotional expresses of this building is so strong to me. For that, I strongly agree and believe that every building have its own soul. Louis Kahn is trying to use architecture to reaching out for the truth. Salk Institute is chosen to build by using raw materials as main material to bring out the warm glow as well as connect and closer to the nature since “we borrow from nature the space upon which we build”.

There is a single narrow strip of water runs down the center designed at the open plaza, linking the buildings to the vast Pacific Ocean. A person's view is then directed towards nature. I think that it represent a very good sense that “You are one with the Ocean” to people in order to reminding people of their scale compared to that of the ocean. I am not sure that is other people sense it, but it gave me a feeling of that, which is simple and strong.

Besides, the strip of water also enhances the symmetry intended in the plan and creates a sense of monumentality as Louis Kahn’s quote: "The thoughtful making of space", so it will not be an exception for him to apply this ‘idea’ in this building.

For more information, please click the attached image.

LOUIS KAHN: Silence and Light (Video)