Louis Kahn

Monumental American architect known for revealing the weight and material truth of his structures.

Chronology: 1901-02-20 – 1974-03-17

Origins & Early Life

Louis Isadore Kahn (born Itze-Leib Schmuilowsky; 5 March [O.S. 20 February] 1901 – March 17, 1974) was an Estonian-born American architect based in Philadelphia. After working in various capacities for several firms in Philadelphia, he founded his own atelier in 1935. While continuing his private practice, he served as a design critic and professor of architecture at Yale School of Architecture from 1947 to 1957.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

From 1957 until his death, he was a professor of architecture at the School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania. Kahn created a style that was monumental and monolithic; his heavy buildings for the most part do not hide their weight, their materials, or the way they are assembled. He was awarded the AIA Gold Medal and the RIBA Gold Medal. At the time of his death, he was considered by some as "America's foremost living architect." == Biography == === Early life === Louis Kahn, whose original name was Itze-Leib (Leiser-Itze) Schmuilowsky (Schmalowski), was born into a poor Jewish family in the Russian Empire (present-day Estonia). His exact birthplace is disputed, but it is widely regarded to be Kuressaare, Saaremaa, although some sources mention Pärnu.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He spent his early...

Source: Wikipedia