Louis Kahn and the Brick

Louis Kahn discussion with the brick emphasizes the importance of the nature of materials. The unique nature of the material should be understood and used for its pure building qualities and not be substituted for another materials because they are available or cheaper.

Louis Kahn was a renowned American architect who had a deep love for bricks. He believed that bricks were not just a building material, but also had a soul and character of their own. One day, he picked up a brick and asked it, "What do you want, brick?" The brick replied, "I want to be an arch." This conversation inspired Kahn to create his iconic design for the Yale University Art Gallery, where he used the brick to create stunning arches and intricate patterns that showcased the unique qualities of the material. The story of the brick became a metaphor for Kahn's philosophy that great architecture is not just about form and function, but also about the materials and the way they interact with light, space, and time.


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