Kahn’s architectural designs

Draft required
8 pages + well-structured + cited references
Description
Main Aim: To understand Kahn’s architecture as a whole, by exploring what remains consistent, and what
changes, in Kahn’s approach to design through his early, middle, and late career. Objective 1: provide a basic
account of howother critics and historians have explained Kahn’s design philosophy [Introduction, 1,000 words]:
what would one look for in Kahn’s architectural designs that demonstrate this philosophy (form, detailing, use of
materials, programme, etc.) Objective 2: identify key works through Kahn’s career that are exemplary of
particular phases of his development as an architect [Introduction, 500 words]: Kahn, if not as prolific as Le
Corbusier, produced a good number of very powerful buildings, throughout his life – how will you decide which
are most appropriate and which signal changes/developments in his design work? Objective 3: critically analyse
3 buildings (as identified in Objective 2) and, following basic analyses of the buildings as buildings, then
provide an account of the extent to which any given building demonstrates/proves theories of Kahn’s design
philosophy (as set out in answer to Objective 1/Introduction). The three building analyses constitute chapters 1,
2, 3 (and are c.2,500 words each) – I would recommend sub-dividing each chapter as: Basic introduction (who,
what, when, where) to building [500 words]; analysis of building [750 words]; discussion of different ways in
which Kahn’s architecture can be understood and what this particular building shows [1,250 words]. As the
chapters progress, you might start to reflect at the end of each one: ‘Kahn’s early architecture suggests that his
approach design is best understood in the terms set out by Kenneth Frampton/Reyner Banham/Christian
Norburg-Schultz/etc., but by his late career the work has evolved, and X critics understanding is better at
grasping the design principles…’ Objective 4 (conclusion): of the various, competing accounts of Kahn’s design
philosophy, which captures thewhole of his work best? If that is not possible – if it is clear that the range of
Kahn’s work does not fit ‘neatly’ or accurately into ‘one’ account/idea - what does that suggest about Kahn’s
work