Thesis
The influence of Robert Venturi on Louis Kahn
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2008
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100213
Abstract
This study considers the question of how Louis Kahn's development as an architect was shaped by the influences of Robert Venturi. The personal and professional interaction between these two historically significant architects began late in Kahn's career and early in Venturi's. Starting with Venturi's master's thesis in 1950, the relationship continued past the seminal publication of Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture sixteen years later. Some historical accounts portray Kahn as mentor to Venturi over this period of time. It was in fact a more dynamic exchange through which both artists benefited, and the contributions of the youthful Venturi on the elder Kahn may well have been pivotal for Kahn. As Kahn's mature work began to emerge during the later years of his career, crucial aspects of that now-distinct 'signature' architecture may well be traced to his intimate exposure to Venturi's (then radical) emerging theories. By means of archival research, chronological analyses of key artifacts, and interviews of students and associates of Kahn and Venturi (including Scott Brown and Venturi, as well as other primary sources), this paper will consider how Kahn's adoption of the role of context in architecture, his use of layered space, his interest in natural light, and above all his reconsideration of the role of history were all arguably shaped by Venturi's influence during a specific historical period.
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Details
- Title
- The influence of Robert Venturi on Louis Kahn
- Creators
- Sam Rodell
- Contributors
- David Wang (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Design and Construction, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525159401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis