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An Unbuilt Project by L. Kahn: The Library of the Washington University

November 19, 2013 by Fosco Lucarelli Leave a Comment

In 1956, architect Louis Kahn was invited to take part in the competition for “The Olin Library”, a 200.000 square feet building in Washington.
The uncompromising design of the proposal, a cruciform pyramid, didn’t convince the jury which preferred the more reassuring project by Joseph Murphy and Eugene Mackey from St. Louis.

The powerful perspective drawing by Kahn (see below) is a testimony of the research for a monumental form, autonomous from the context, introverted. The continuous plan, structured by a uniform grid, organizes the spaces in a flowing sequence.

 

 

Kahn-1

Plan of entrance level, Washington University Library Competition, St. Louis Missouri 1956. Copyright 1977, Louis I. Kahn Collection, University of Pennsylvania,  and Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

 

Kahn-2

 

 

Kahn-3

Perspective view Washington University Library Competition, St. Louis Missouri 1956. Copyright 1977, Louis I. Kahn Collection, University of Pennsylvania,  and Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

 

Kahn-4

 

kahn-5

 

 

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