Between Modernism and Postmodernism- A Comprehensive Studyon the Works of Louis I. Kahn

Abstract

Louis I. Kahn (1901-1974) was the most prominent architect of the 20th century, there has been a relatively little critical study of his work. As a contemporary architect, Kahn has struggled with history, culture, and the physical environment as influences for his design. Kahn's work has inspired leading contemporary architects including Renzo Piano, Tadao Ando, Mario Botta Moshe Safdie, and Norman Foster. Although considered a modern architect, Kahn admitted towards the end of his life that his university education in fine arts under Paul Cret had a major influence on his architectural design abilities. Louis Kahn's work presents a more balanced overall approach to architecture through form and structural integration. Modern architecture, emphasized on pure functional buildings with no historical reference to which postmodernism was reaction in architecture. the work of Kahn expanded modern architecture, with an emphasis on a visible style of construction before postmodernism crystalized the idea. This article aims to analyze and discuss Louis I. Kahn's aspirations and design techniques. This research is necessary because much of today's architectural work lacks a balanced emphasis on formal and structural expression.