Louis Kahn’s Architecture of the Room [Trenton Bath House, Esherick House, Exeter Library]

In this video, Stewart breaks down the floor plan design strategies of architect Louis Kahn (1901-1974) for how they treat and arrange rooms in servant/served configurations. After World War II showed us the dark underbelly of technology, the architecture that gave us “machines for living in'' seemed misguided and dehumanizing. In contrast to pre-war Modern architecture open and free plans, Louis Kahn considered new possibilities for rooms; believing their privacy and enclosures could work together in a ‘society of rooms.’ Beginning with a close look at the Trenton Bath House, the video includes computer animations, sketches, photographs, and historical narratives to trace the evolution of the room through other works by Louis Kahn like the Adler House, Esherick House, and the Exeter library ⁠- a monumental room of cultural memory.
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University of Illinois at Chicago School of Architecture: arch.uic.edu/
#louiskahn #architecture #modernarchitecture

[@stewarthicks]

What's your favorite building by Louis Kahn?

[@byronalexissanchezgil6775]

Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban😁

[@maikocarlo]

Right now...Richards Medical Building!!! Even though it doesn’t work! :D

[@SaltedEggChild]

His double storey office for Tribune Review Publishing Company. The geometry and thought for the window design is “simply” beautiful.

[@MBlakeH]

The Yale Center for British Art! There is nothing quite like being drawn into the light-filled atrium from the street!

[@miu3239]

Exeter Library, IIM Ahmedabad.

[@lucyreading3508]

I go to Phillips Exeter Academy and the anniversary of the library's construction was a few months ago, and an architect came and gave a tour of the library. It was amazing how much detail Louis Kahn puts into his designs and works especially when it came to a social aspect of the spaces he creates.

[@stewarthicks]

For sure.

[@josephyoung6749]

Wright: "rooms are fascist!" Kahn: "master and servant!"

[@dod352]

I'm located in Harrisburg, PA, where there is a little known piece of architecture by Louis Kahn: the Olivetti-Underwood factory (now the regional headquarters for Comcast). Kahn was commissioned by the Olivetti typewriter company to design it and he actually employed Renzo Piano as an intern at his firm to help engineer it. It's definitely been modified, but would love a chance to visit it sometime. Sadly I wouldn't even know where to start inquiring.

[@jiaxinzhao5269]

That one looks like a mat building, would love to see a video tour.

[@Deadbeatwaffle]

Can see the renzo piano influence in that design for sure.

[@hichamgara9394]

this is one of the best analysis videos i've ever seen about architecture , very good explanation thank you , look forward for more analysis....

[@stewarthicks]

Thanks a lot!

[@SaltedEggChild]

Please do one on Peter Eisenman. He’s one who is absorbed into manipulating geometries too.

[@briansmith9439]

The Trenton Pool House 'pillars' nearest the pool were for the pool equipment and the pool office and 'circulation equipment' - the entire structure was restored in 2011 to the original design, including installing a surface to represent the central fountain that wasn't installed and paved over decades ago; Kahn's original doors are being replicated using his designs as well, and the snack bar the JCC installed a year after Kahn's work was finished is being removed. Too bad the design itself caused the deterioration to the structure - the water cascading off the roofs wrecked the walls.

[@arch.memoir]

Oh my god! Finally someone is really talking about architecture 💕 brother, loved your content so much, keep making more 😭

[@girishgholap90]

National Parliament House, Bangladesh. It looks Futuristic and Prehistoric Simultaneously....

[@selectivires]

I wholeheartedly agree!

[@johnkellett7797]

The principle of ‘servant’ and ‘served’ spaces is very clear in my own home designs in the early 1930s by Charles Voysey’s biographer. The Kitchen, coal store (now laundry), outside toilet (now indoors), WC, Bathroom, airing cupboard and Maid’s Bedroom all face North East and the Entrance hall, Dining Room, Living Room, Master and Second Bedroom all facing South West with curved windows to the Master Bedroom and Living Room to pick up a view of the Sunset. It was quite a normal thing to arrange rooms like that in the Victorian era and long before in the U.K.

[@peterfan4893]

They do hlep a lot, sir. I chose Trenton bath house as my first assignment this semester, I wonder why this building can be a turning point of Kahn, but got stuck on searching resources, this video helped a lot !

[@robhiller2736]

Interesting to see the open overlapping corners from the FLR video sort of inverted in the LK Bath house design.

[@ltandrepants]

great observation about the inhabitants occupying the structure of the building!

[@miu3239]

Stewart, loved this episode. Suggestion you can cover some seminal works by Kerry Hill, Charles Correa, Geoffrey Bawa, Luis Barragán.

[@stewarthicks]

Great suggestions!

[@aidilfaizi1096]

Woke up and got architecturally motivated!

[@modelleg]

Spent a morning with the director of the Exeter Library. I've been looking forward to visiting for a long time. It did not disappoint. It contains a palette of material that is used so artfully that the building seems "tuned". Similarly to the way that harmony is created in sound and with the color of light, Kahn was able to plug into the energy of travertine, concrete, brick and teak wood to create spaces that seem so resoundingly correct and timeless. The kids at the academy are most certain to come away from their experience there with a subconscious awareness of the benevolence of mankind and the purposefulness of their academic pursuit.

[@paulsavidge5257]

I’m really enjoying your videos. Your discussion of Esherick house was excellent. It’s an exciting place to call home. We invite you come visit in person!

[@stewarthicks]

Oh my! That is so exciting that you're enjoying the videos. Be careful what you offer! I would love to visit!!

[@Archimarathon]

My favourite episode yet! Well done Stewart. So glad you talked about Adler House. I love the game he played and the subtle spaces defined with variations.

[@stewarthicks]

Agreed. I give a lecture comparing it to the Devore House. In the lecture, we usually sit and really analyze the differences for quite a while. Its fun to keep discovering new alignments and small details.

[@Archimarathon]

@@stewarthicks sounds like that an episode to geek out on.

[@hurleycowboy]

Yes, great video, you’d like the book “the wall as living place”.

[@lyndemar]

@Stewart Hicks It would be amazing if you could film and post that by lecture.

[@kaitlynnp582]

I don't have words for how much I love these building designs. Thank you for explaining them, and introducing me to them!

[@lirongtan5992]

hi, Stewart, love your videos and your office’s work was introduced by my undergrad professor molly hunker and I thought they are fascinating and inspiring! I’d like to hear you commenting on today’s architecture: there isn’t a mainstream, there’s nothing to rebel against, every idea is valid and different approaches are valued.

[@stewarthicks]

Lirong, Thank you for your message! I'd love to venture into more contemporary stuff. I'll head that way soon. Trying to establish a base first, learn the technical side of things, etc. Say hi to Molly for me. She's amazing.

[@eladyihie2502]

Love your videos man, it is very enriching and brought in a light and understandable way thanks man

[@selectivires]

Really enjoyed watching this! I would love to see a full analysis of the national parlement House of Bangladesh! However I would also be interested in an episode about Lia Bo Bardi and her buildings

[@stewarthicks]

Good one!

[@0super]

I second the Lina Bo Bardi suggestion!

[@jasonfifi]

the trenton bath house is one of my all time favorite buildings, because when i was little(7-10) i was drawing out a farm house that had a courtyard in the center and my uncle(an architect) was like "yo, that's almost identical to the trenton bath house." it was even supposed to be made of cinder blocks. surely my drawing was not as perfected or subtle as kahn's, so i mention this only as an example of how organically and universally the idea of creating negative space using multiple rooms/buildings can arise.

[@angrydragonslayer]

I can feel the presence of elitism from this post.... (Not the guy being elitist but him having dealt with a lot of them)

[@warrengraham7461]

i really loved that library

[@jpvelab]

Great video! Big cheers from Colombia South America

[@fz1792]

I did a research study on his Project IIM - Ahmedabad and I have literally fallen in love with the way he designs

[@ivettepalacios4786]

This library was great, I enjoy your videos, the machines for living in, good.

[@grandmasterplank]

Lovely videos. Great work, keep it rolling.

[@simonmou88]

This is my fav chanel on architecture

[@maikocarlo]

Love the video!!! I hope your channel goes far, going to watch this one many times!! Haha. Looking forward to more content!!

[@albertobenagli7622]

Man I love your work and the passion you put in your every video! I'd love an episode about late Le Corbusier brutalist works (Saint Marie de la Tourette's monastry for example). Thank you again and keep up doing what you love!

[@galbaribeirodefaria6104]

L. K. was a genius and your work is forever.

[@0super]

The Fisher House was always a favorite plan of mine by Kahn. Great video once again Stewart!!!

[@stewarthicks]

Thanks Jimenez! Yea, the fisher house might have been good to include. These videos just keep getting longer though...

[@fayizajahan7955]

Mine too

[@akk5772]

Campus of Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, India - rated as the best management school in Asia - and the iconic open brick structures are designed by Louis Khan. This is one of the best designed campuses in Asia!

[@ridellapellanes6619]

been digging into kahn's work lately and the proof of concept analyses on the servant-served idea is really helpful! thanks for the video!

[@ArkCullberg]

Thanks for a guite interesting and better understanding of Louis Kahnś architecture. Íve always been fascinated and inspirerad by Louis Kahnś architecture since my architectural studies in Sweden 1968-74. The project that inspirerad me most at that timme was of course the SALK Institute in la Jolla.

[@david_walker_esq]

Playtime! I love that movie. I love that you'd use a clip from the film in your video. I'm always envious of your students. I remember when we had Frank Gehry guest lecture at U of T. I believe he was "back home" working on his addition to the Art Gallery of Ontario at the time and he was friends with our dean, so he came to speak. I'd easily trade that experience with that venerable architect for a semester with you. What you had said about sharing architectural experiences with others makes total sense. On my last visit to Paris, I travelled alone. I appreciated the freedom to see and do the things I wanted to see without having to accommodate a travel companion, but I often found myself feeling a little sad, wishing I could have shared the experience with someone. Recounting the experience of a space like the tomb of Napoleon or turning a corner to see the splendor of Sacre-Coeur is hardly the same as what one feels in the moment, no matter how articulate they may be. I have yet to experience a Louis Kahn building in person, but Museum London in (fake) London, Ontario has a knock-off of the Kimbell Art Museum. I wouldn't say Kimball is my favourite, but I intend on visiting the Bangladesh Parliament House in Dhaka one day.

[@SaiSantoshMARU]

Great study! Wasn't expecting it, 12:05 was funny!!

[@NITESHYADAV-yv2im]

A very insightful video Stewart .... I was always wary of open plans.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

Not being with others when having a profound experience leads to being on a different wavelength......well, that does help to explain things 🙃

[@phdeclerck]

Loving those videos explaining a modern architect's clear principles and how they translate in concrete designs! I'm thinking a discussion of Adolf Loos's Raumplan approach would be a great addition to the series!

[@alaskanuni]

I love these mini lectures on famous architecture! Could you do one on Rennie Mackintosh? Keep up the good work!

[@somayaalghamdi7776]

amazing video really enjoyed all buildings , but the house plans and elevations are amazing loved the analysis and explanation of some elements like the window.

[@stewarthicks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dudelebovski4652]

Super cool video about architectural understanding

[@callumstewart7230]

Your videos are wonderful and are really accessible. I enjoy them a lot and have learned a lot from you, thanks.

[@stewarthicks]

Thank you!

[@VishalDubey]

I visited IIM, Ahmedabad designed by Louis Kahn during my Architecture school trip and one of the Professors explained us how Kahn used set brick wall and layers as units in his construction similar to grid you talked about in Bath house. It has beautiful circulars windows divided between floors. That building really inspired me. I would really recommend you to talk about its design.

[@Dev1nci]

Stewart, these videos are invaluable! Thank you :)

[@stewarthicks]

I'm glad you're enjoying them. Thank you for the kind words!

[@bonzomio]

Kimbal Art Museum ... the only Kahn building I've been in. Transcendent experience!

[@johnd.lawlor4808]

Just discovered your channel. Great subjects and presentations.. Do not forget you’re neighbours to the north. Cheers

[@jonh6928]

Thank you so much. This is the second of your videos I have seen and I loved it. Google seems to know I am a Louis Kahn fan because KZbin recommended this video. Not only am I a Kahn fanatic but Exeter Library is my favorite building. I look forward to watching more of your videos. I hope there’s one (or several) on Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown.

[@stewarthicks]

Definitely will be. Exeter is my favorite too.

[@janmaaso]

Another great video. Thanks for sharing. Suggestion for a video? Jellyfish house by Wiel Arets (a Dutch architect who also worked in Chicago not too long ago). My wife and I once lived in one of his buildings and are great admirers of his. Thanks. Jan

[@edward0383]

Kahn is the 🐐. His works transcend the tangible world. What more can be asked of architecture than to evoke an spiritual experience?

[@kientran7364]

Please do more and more videos like this! Love it

[@WesleyJean00]

That Library is fantastic. Very informative explanation of the flow. Another great video. Thank you.

[@stewarthicks]

It’s is fantastic.

[@ArkCullberg]

Great architecture in every aspect!

[@nikolalalev732]

Thank you sir for the insightful analysis. Inexplicably forgotten architect. Deep ideas.

[@christopherstephenjenksbsg4944]

You make a very good point about all architecture being a collaborative process. I think the modern preoccupation with "starchitects" can be very misleading. I note you have a particular love for modernist buildings, with which I sympathize, but have you ever considered analyzing buildings of the 20th century that use a more academic language of architecture to express modern concepts? One example that comes to mind is the late, lamented Penn Station in New York by McKim Mead and White, which was contemporary with many early Modernist buildings. The way McKim (the principal on the project) combined Roman architectural precedents with the astonishingly modernist, glass-covered concourse is amazing. The general plan, with its generous circulation and service spaces ingeniously and seamlessly integrated into the whole, was superb. Don't write these architects off as merely "academic" or "Beaux-Arts." They were far more functional and creative than a lot of modernist architects give them credit for.

[@justgivemethetruth]

I loved that movie, My Architect. Did they change the name of that movie? I always thought it was My Father The Architect. It was a sad movie. That poor kid. I was so impressed with the architecture of the National Assembly Building in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The space in that building blew me away. The library is very reminiscent of that. That massive concrete X in the ceiling space is a little worrying.

[@johannbohmer3286]

So inspiring, thank you

[@selectivires]

Very excited to watch this!

[@aseelalmutairi3434]

Amazing video! I learned a lot

[@Rezulino]

Great Video! Thank you!

[@priyamohan]

Loved the analysis. My fave Louis Khan building is the IIM Ahmedabad campus. The circular cut outs in the Exeter library as well as the use of concrete and wood is something he repeats there! If you are taking suggestions, I'd love to see an analysis of buildings by BV Doshi (an Indian architect who worked under both Le Corbusier and Louis Khan). To the untrained eye, they share something similar but Doshi's seem more organic

[@ahamedafsal2820]

thank you for doing this video.

[@aldrichjohn10]

I really love this video and the whole content.

[@stewarthicks]

Thank you! Glad you enjoy it!

[@BanduluJamaica]

Id actually love to see a video about the development of track houses and the motivation behind the layouts and design or lack thereof

[@elvishsu8728]

love the thinking

[@kimballrobertsr.a.3541]

Nice work.

[@lydiahorvath8769]

I really enjoyed your graphics and explanations in this video - I am obsessively interested in Kahn’s work, and always eager to see others’ take on it. I recently came across an academic piece arguing that Robert Venturi was the source of many of the ideas Kahn used in his major pieces. I’d love to hear what you think of this theory! Thanks for your informative and entertaining videos.

[@ArchAnime]

Thank you so much for this!!

[@stewarthicks]

Happy you enjoyed it!

[@sarg3475]

We enjoyed your analysis of Kahn`s Room as a building block of space we are part of. SA+RG is an Architectural Company mainly interested in Mass Housing. Please make more videos on complexes that were intended to be mass housing but failed. Thank you

[@suckblood3vil]

Hi Stewart, I liked the video a lot, it makes great architecture very approachable to the public. Although, I disagree with calling Kahn's work collaborative. Yes, ideas and suggestions can come from many other architects within the office but that can be said for any genius in any field and their circles or colleagues. But it's the mind of those geniuses that take, discard or alter these ideas to create a masterpiece. Should we start referring to Plato's ideas as ''Plato's and his students''(many of Plato's ideas came from discussions with his students and many of them turned out to be great philosophers as well)? The work of some architects is purely personal like Carlo Scarpa's or Peter Zumthor's and from some others, a more collaborative outcome like Norman Foster's or Renzo Piano's and Kahn's work is very, very personal.

[@nasimasadiol8796]

Amazing. I like to see more

[@kswensen2481]

Louis Kahn was pretty awesome, I loved the movie. Star Trek the Next Generation clips were pretty awesome also 👍 "A house is a machine for living in" is a deep quote.

[@crsdrg1736]

Thank you for this video!🙏🏻

[@stewarthicks]

You're so welcome!

[@m.s.m.arifurrahman6441]

Excellent analysis

[@stewarthicks]

Thank you!

[@ValentinaRodriguez-zj4bg]

Maybe you could talk about Aalvar Alto’s architecture for the next video :)

[@mcbladefx]

Excellent work, I have learned so much watching your videos! We do see your eyes moving from left to right as you read however, maybe shrink down your text a bit, or use narrower columns, so that it’s less distracting when your eyes return at the end of each line? Thanks again and please keep it up!

[@Kolar95]

As always a great video!! I have possible suggestions for future videos, Christopher Alexander, Geoffrey Bawa or Peter Zumthor would be interesting. :)

[@stewarthicks]

Thanks for the suggestions!!!

[@nabiladway7693]

Thanks, i like the Episode.

[@brettsuydam]

Kahn's work at IIMA and his unwillingness to use generations of knowledge of building in that wet climate which lead to serious issues with the brick work will always help remind me of his humanity and humble me with the reminder that Architects are not inherently special magicians and holders of secrets, but local knowledge/culture of construction often is the most valuable place to look (as long as it hasn't already been colonized).

[@sundalongpatpat]

That Esherick House is something else

[@Tailfeather-Studio]

Based on your description of the Exeter library, would you consider doing a video on what makes a successful library design? (And may I suggest Brown University's many libraries as examples?)

[@dhabstudio]

thanks profs...

[@kath140]

I enjoyed this video! Hope you could do other architects too.

[@stewarthicks]

Glad you enjoyed it. I'll do my best!

[@WATERBORNESKATEBOARDS]

Would love to see a video about the architecture at UC Irvine. The school was designed and built during the 60's and many design decisions were made with the negation of civil unrest in mind. The school has consistently added new buildings to the school since then so the school is a mix of modern, and abstract buildings, with an original network of iconic original brutalist structures.

[@stevenlim4985]

Nice explanation! keep making good videos!

[@stewarthicks]

Thanks a lot!

[@invencibletheory]

Intriguing video as always, however, I have a quick question: In saying that the gesture of turning the entrance facade away from the campus is adding to the monumentality, how is so? And which definition of monumentality would this be supporting?

[@issues9828]

In Esherick House, that two-storied open area living room brings up a huge design flaw I see in many contemporary home designs --- and I'm referring to one-off designs for more wealthy people, not mass-produced developments. I don't know whether Architects have terminology for this concept, but in my mind the best seating arrangement around a fireplace is to either have 3-sided seating around the fireplace, to create a square space if you include the fireplace itself as the fourth side of the square,, or, to do what you see in the Esherick House, have opposed seating on each side of the fireplace, with no seating opposite the fireplace. The problem with this room, and with many other contemporary designs, is that the opposed seats are so far apart, and so far from the fireplace, that you are not fulfilling the promise of social warmth and intimacy that a fireplace offers. It's almost as though such rooms are designed to be photographed and look cool, but to hell with actually USING the space. If you were to sit in that room with a fire going, say, having coffee with a friend who is visiting you, and wanting to chat, you're going to be too far apart on the opposed sofas to feel any sense of intimacy and connection --- you'd almost have to shout to be heard. by the other person. AND, in addition to that, you're going to be too far from the fireplace to enjoy the heat, and to be moved or affected by the ambient light. So from a distance the design looks great, but I would give him an F for creating a space where the fireplace can be enjoyed in an intimate social setting, or, when alone, even. .

[@b.w.22]

I was with my partner when I saw the Blade Runner building in person, which was an amazing, fun experience. It was helped by all these “Gotham PD” vehicles in the street as they were filming some Batman thing right nearby.

[@YelloBeam]

this says a lot about society

[@MOJO-IV]

Hi a have question, if i wanted to read and learn form others architects such as Le Corbusier and frank Lloyd Wright and many others great architect. What order should i start with, and what are some of the best resources out there. And thank you so much your channel is so inspiring and fun to watch i have learned a lot from, but mostly that way you break down a build and explain it

[@yoxhi0522]

I'm an architect in Japan. If I was born a little later, I wanted to take your lecture at college.　I think the Plan of Kimbell Art Museum is development of open plan concept. What does Professor Hicks think about this? I would like to listen to Professor Hicks's lecture on Kimbell Art Museum.

[@wayneblackburn3700]

Thanks! for the video. Is it necessary to create ambiguity in a room to facilitate interaction?

[@BlackIndigenousPosse]

This is such a great channel. You're doing an excellent job, Stewie (may I call you Stewie? Because I just did).

[@harperwelch5147]

The Library interior is spectacular. The Bathhouse is less impressive. Actually an early postmodern style. I hope in this series you will get around to bringing attention to Expressionist Modern architecture, such as Saarinen’s TWA airport or Niemeyer’s Brazilia buildings.

[@issues9828]

Stewart, I've for years had a fantasy home design in my mind that reminds me of the floor plan for the bathhouse/locker room. It would be either all 4 squares, with one of the squares serving as a foyer/entryway area.. Or, it would be 3 of the squares, with the center area serving as the foyer. The round circle would be a large fire pit that is sunken in, so you could have a primitive-feeling, large, human-sized flame. There would be a cantilevered chimney. I don't picture this firepit being as large as the round circle that Kahn drew --- I picture it being smaller, but much larger in scale than the average home fireplace. But I envision it being an intimate living space, not like a hall area. It would have seating centers around it. The whole thing would be enclosed --- the whole structure. Are you aware of any kind of home that has a similar design? If so, I'd like to find photos of it. Thanks.

[@DLIMAC70]

In the Exeter library, the square rooms on the corners, can they be considered also as servant spaces?

[@danielp.52]

After watching many of your videos, it is nice that you introduce us to your life partner, but I discovered that you are not only partners in life, but also partners in work with Design With Company. So the visit of a building is always more relevent for two architects. :-)

[@itzseafairyplayz5527]

thank you for your vids Stewart Hicks!

[@stewarthicks]

My pleasure!

[@karlstriepe8050]

Back to the room!