Theory Of Architecture -Richards Medical Research Laboratory By –Louis I Khan

Submitted By:

S.Kingston Maria Infant

Introduction:About the Architect-Louis I Khan:

Born on 1901,near Estonia.

In 1905 his parents Leopold Kahn and Bertha Kahn, moved to Philadelphia.

Louis I Khan Studied Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania.

Khan worked with the several architects after graduating from the university at 1924.

He was interested in Greek and Roman Architecture.

Khan was noted as a philosopher, designer and teacher.

He was the professor of Yale University from 1947 – 1957.

His use of materials and organization of space helped to make him internationally famous.

Life History Of Louis I Khan:

He Got his first major project the Yale University Art gallery - in 1952, when he was 50.

Then from 1957 to 1974, he was a professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

He died at the age of 73 on the year 1974

Kahn incorporated some of the techniques of other architects and styles, and with them created his own style.

He planned out the geometry of the structure to best withstand the climate of the area, and fit in with the culture and other buildings.

. In many of his buildings, Kahn created a clear distinction between "served and servant spaces.“

"Served" spaces being offices, laboratories, elevators, and other places where people would be.

"Servant" spaces were ventilation systems, storage rooms, lights, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems, and other things that are essential for a building to function properly. 

Richards Medical Research Laboratory: Location - University Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Built on-1965.

Built by- Architect Louis I Khan.

Architectural Style-Modern.

Date-1957 To 1961.

Building Type – Laboratories and Office

Climate-Temprate.

Context-Urban Campus.

Richards Medical Research Laboratory:Introduction to the Building:

The building is configured as a group of laboratory towers with a central service tower.

Brick Shafts hold the stairwells and air ducts. The building is supported by the hidden steel frame.

The building has the structure of the reinforced concrete as the building is bearing the weight.

The whole building is built with the techniques used in its construction is the state of the art for reinforced concrete.

The building helped to set new directions for modern architecture.

It was named the Alfred Newton Richards Medical Research Laboratories Building in honor of a noted researcher and former chairman of the Department of Pharmacology.

Richards Medical Research Laboratory:Aerial View of the Site:

Richards Medical Research Laboratory:Site Plan-

Richards Medical Research Laboratory:Lower Floor Plan and Upper Floor Plan :

Upper Floor Plan

Lower Floor Plan

Richards Medical Research Laboratory:Shafts:

Explanation of Shafts With Respect to the Plan

Section of the Building

Richards Medical Research Laboratory:

Sketch of Section by Louis I Khan

Elevation Drawing Section Drawing

Concept and Structural Details of Richards Medical Research Laboratory:

The sides of the laboratory towers are large vertical shafts, some of which hold exhaust ducts and some of which hold stairwells.

The three laboratory towers has predominant windows and intricate structural details.

Three Laboratory towers have four large air shafts, three shafts provide fresh air and fourth provide as a central service tower.

The structure of the Richards building is composed of 1019 pre stressed ,concrete, columns, beams, trusses and related items that were trucked in from a factory, assembled with a crane.

Richards Medical Research Laboratory:Details of Towers:

1)Stair Towers

2)Service Towers

3)Air Intake

4)Central Service Block

5)Laboratory Towers

Construction Technique of Richards Medical Research Laboratory:

Basement Construction using Precast Concrete Blocks

Joinery Details

Richards Medical Research Laboratory:

Entry To The Building Concrete porch at the Entrance

Richards Medical Research Laboratory:

Natural Light provided inside the Stairwells

Precast Concrete Slabs

Richards Medical Research Laboratory:

Each laboratory tower has eight floors, each оf which іs а 45 foot square that іs entirely free оf stairs, elevators and internal support columns.

Each tower so supported by eight external columns that are attached tо the four edges оf each floor at "third-point" locations, the two points on each side that divide it іntо three equal parts.

That placement resulted іn four column-free cantilevered corners оn each floor, which Kahn filled with windows.

The structure оf the Richards building іs composed оf 1019 prestressed concrete columns, beams, trusses

CAR PARKINGMODEL

Richards Medical Research Laboratory:ARCHITECT LOUIS I KHAN PHILOSOPIES: "Form is the realization of inseparable characteristics

Form has no existence in material, shape or dimension

To begin is the time of belief in Form

When the work is completed the beginning must be felt

A design is but a single spark out of FormIt is of material and has shape and dimension

The form 'symphony' does not belong to the composer His design, his composition does.“

A building is like a human, an architect has the opportunity of creating life. The way the knuckles and joints come together make each hand interesting and beautiful. In a building these details should not be put in a mitten and hidden. Space is architectural when the evidence of how it is made is seen and comprehended."

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE

Kingston (B.Arch.)