INDEX

• INTRODUCTION
• MAJOR PROJECTS
• ARCHITECTURAL PHILOSOPHY
• YALE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY
• FISHER HOUSE
• THERMAL COMFORT
• IIM AHEMDABAD
• ARTWORKS
“We are born of light. The seasons are felt
through light. We only know the world as it is
evoked by light.”
ARCHITECTURAL PHILOSOPHY
1. Honest Use of Materials: Kahn emphasized the intrinsic beauty and
authenticity of materials, allowing them to express their natural qualities.
2. Timelessness and Monumentality: He aimed to create buildings that
transcended time, drawing on ancient forms and geometries to imbue his
work with a sense of permanence.
3. Primacy of Light: Kahn considered natural light essential for bringing
spaces to life, meticulously crafting nis buildings to capture and sculpt light
4. Served and Servant Spaces: He distinguished between primary (served)
spaces and supporting (servant) spaces, organizing them to enhance
functionality and symbolism.
5. Dialogue with the Site: Each building was designed in response to its
environment, considering the landscape, climate, and cultural context .
6. Architectural Integrity: Kahn pursued an architecture where form and
function were inseparable, ensuring every element contributed to the
whole
7. Spiritual Dimension: He believed architecture should elevate the human
spirit, connecting individuals to a larger existential purposemesalbility

"WHAT DOES A BUILDING WANTS TO BE?"

 THERMAL INSULATION
Thermal insulation refers to the methods and materials used to reduce the transfer of heat between the
interior and exterior of a building. Effective thermal insulation is crucial for maintaining a comfortable
indoor environment, reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling, and minimizing the building's
environmental impact.
It can be achieved by :-
• Use of Insulating Materials
• Double or triple-glazed windows with low-emissivity (low-E) coatings and inert gas fillings
• orienting a building to take advantage of natural sunlight in the winter and minimize heat gain in the
summer
• Utilizing materials with high thermal mass, such as concrete and brick, in strategic locations can absorb
and store heat during the day and release it at night, helping to stabilize indoor temperatures.
• Minimizing the surface area of a building's exterior reduces heat loss and gain. A compact building
shape is more energy-efficient than one with extended wings or protrusions.
• Properly sealing gaps and cracks in the building envelope prevents unwanted air infiltration and
exfiltration, enhancing the effectiveness of insulation.
• Placing windows to maximize natural daylight while using shading devices (e.g., overhangs, louvers) to
block solar radiation during hot months can contribute to natural thermal regulation.
IIM ”If you think of Brick, you say to Brick,
‘What do you want, Brick?’ And Brick
AHEMDABAD says to you, ‘I like an Arch.’ And if you
say to Brick, ‘Look, arches are
expensive, and I can use a concrete lintel
over you. What do you think of that,
Brick?’ Brick says, ‘I like an Arch.’ And
it’s important, you see, that you honor
the material that you use. […]
You can only do it if you honor the brick
and glorify the brick instead of
•shortchanging it.” over 67 acres of lush
The IIM is spread
greenery in Vastrapur.
• He conceived the design as a blend of
austerity and majesty.
• This modern residential institute is
built entirely in traditional brick
construction
• He included spaces for casual
interaction while achieving a balance
between modernity and tradition that
captured the spirit of timeless India.
• Geometric Forms
 THERMAL INSULATION IN IIM
AHEMDABAD Exposed brick and concrete as the primary materials resonates
with the local architectural heritage and climate. These
materials provide thermal mass, helping to regulate indoor
temperatures in Ahmedabad's hot climate, and give the
buildings a monumental, timeless quality.
Thick brick walls, arches, and vaults which provide significant
thermal mass. This mass helps in moderating indoor
temperatures by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it
slowly during the night.

Central to Kahn's plan are the large courtyards and open

spaces that punctuate the clusters. These spaces serve as
communal gathering areas, promote natural ventilation, and
allow light into the interiors. They also create a visual and
spatial dialogue between the built environment and the
landscape.
Kahn designed the buildings with deep overhangs and
surrounded them with shaded courtyards. These courtyards, a
common feature in traditional Indian architecture, serve as cool
outdoor spaces and help in reducing the overall heat gain by
providing shaded areas.

The design efficiently uses natural light to

illuminate interiors without significant
heat gain. The use of light wells and
strategically placed openings ensures that
spaces are well-lit during the day without
relying on artificial lighting, thus saving
energy.
ARTWORKS BY LOUIS KAHN
 REFERENCE
Louis I Kahn : the Realm of Architecture
By David B. Brownlee/David G. De Long Introduction by Vincent Scully New
Photography by Grant Mudford

Louis I Kahn
By : Robert McCarter

klaus-peter gast louis i. Kahn

das gesamtwerk complete works

www.archdaily.com
https://www.architecturaldigest.in/
THANKYOU

Every building must have

...its own soul.