The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a building.
Louis KahnRead
The room is the beginning of architecture.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Architecture starts with the design and essence of the room.
Louis Kahn emphasizes that the fundamental element of architecture lies in the room, suggesting that the experience and function of a space are paramount to architectural design. This highlights the importance of recognizing how rooms shape human experiences and interactions, laying the foundation for creating meaningful and functional architectural works.
Themes
ArchitectureDesignSpaceRoomFunction
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on architectural design, one could reference this quote to highlight the importance of space.
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
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
We are born of light. The seasons are felt through light. We only know the world as it is evoked by light.
Louis KahnRead
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When you go to an art gallery you are simply a tourist looking at the trophy cabinet of a few millionaires.
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