An Anatomy Of The Evolution Of Louis I. Kahn's Architectural Language From 1944 To 1960

The growth of an architect is slow,and the formation of his architectural languages is continuous and arduous.With the primary objective of reconstructing the real developing course of Kahn's architectural language,this paper makes an anatomy on his practice in 1940-50 s.Firstly,this paper depicts Kahn's study and practice in his early life,as well as the origin of modern architecture space conception and four classic space languages,which works as starting point for Kahn's own space notion.In 1944,Kahn published Monumentality.From then on,Kahn made his exploration in structure and space later.Kahn's distinct space constitution language was beginning to take shape in the design of Trenton Bath House.Through the subsequent projects,Kahn gradually got rid of the limits of uniform grid.Finally,Kahn's architectural language matured with the accomplishment of the design of Richards Medical Research Laboratories.Base on Kahn's Collection in University of Pennsylvania,the oeuvre of Kahn as well as Kahn's publications,this paper makes a thorough analysis of almost every projects from the conceptual architecture in ‘Monumentality” to Richards Medical Research Laboratories,and establishes the linear development of Kahn's architectural language.