The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a building.
Louis KahnRead
Every building must have... its own soul.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Every structure holds a unique character that defines its essence.
Louis Kahn's quote emphasizes the idea that architecture is not merely about functionality or aesthetics, but also about the spirit and identity of the building itself. He suggests that every building has its own soul, which reflects the values, culture, and emotions associated with it, making architecture a profound expression of human experience.
Themes
ArchitectureSoulIdentityDesignSpirit
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about sustainable architecture, one could say, 'As Louis Kahn noted, every building must have its own soul, reminding us to embrace the spirit of our environment.'
More from Louis Kahn
All quotes βI sense a Threshold: Light to Silence, Silence to Light - an ambiance of inspiration, in which the desire to be, to express, crosses with the possible Light to Silence, Silence to Light crosses in the sanctuary of art.
Louis KahnRead
Greek architecture taught me that the column is where the light is not, and the space between is where the light is. It is a matter of no-light, light, no-light, light. A column and a column brings light between them. To make a column which grows out of the wall and which makes its own rhythm of no-light, light, no-light, light: that is the marvel of the artist.
Louis KahnRead
The room is the beginning of architecture.
Louis KahnRead
Architecture is the reaching out for the truth.
Louis KahnRead
The creation of art is not the fulfillment of a need but the creation of a need. The world never needed Beethoven's Fifth Symphony until he created it. Now we could not live without it.
Louis KahnRead
Similar quotes
As a songwriter, if you can touch people and make them feel a little less alone in the world, then you've done your job.
Tom CochraneRead
The poets who have written the best poems about war seem to be the poets whose countries have experienced an invasion or vicious dictatorships.
Billy CollinsRead
So, then, the best of the historian is subject to the poet; for whatsoever action or faction, whatsoever counsel, policy, or war-stratagem the historian is bound to recite, that may the poet, if he list, with his imitation make his own, beautifying it both for further teaching and more delighting, as it pleaseth him; having all, from Danteβs Heaven to his Hell, under the authority of his pen.
Philip SidneyRead
Casting sometimes is fate and destiny more than skill and talent, from a director's point of view.
Steven SpielbergRead
I get little kids who recognize me from 'Mary Poppins,' and it just delights me because it's our third generation.
Dick Van DykeRead
After my performance 'The Artist is Present (2010)' at MoMA in New York, many scientists became interested in why so many people who sat across from me began to cry. I was incredibly moved by this experience also, and was very curious to know what happens in our brains when we spend time not talking, just looking at one another.
Marina AbramovicRead