| Title |
Analysis on the Building System Integration Methods of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK_PD.2018.34.7.59 |
| Keywords |
Building System ; Integration Methods ; Physical·Visual·Functional Integration |
| Abstract |
Salk Institute for Biological studies is widely considered as architectural masterpiece of Louis Kahn's. Its iconic plaza with symmetrical concrete structures, overlooking the Pacific ocean in La Jolla, has been acclaimed as a facade to the sky. Little has been written on Kahn's achievements in the building system integration in order to bridge the gap between technology and design. This paper explores the technical issues, the design intents, and the major building systems to identify the Kahn's integration methods between building systems. The project is analysed into four major systems; structure, mechanical, envelope, and interior system. The integration methods of building systems are investigated in physical, visual, and functional aspects. The most distinguished cases of building system integration are the introduction of the interstitial floors between the laboratories and the creation of the smooth and warm materiality of exposed concrete walls. Kahn proposed open floor plans for the laboratories which are capable of easily adapting to changing needs. He also introduced the interstitial floors which are framed of the vierendeel truss systems and deliberately overlapped the structure systems with the mechanical systems such as ducts, water pipes, and electric conduits. The exposed concrete walls mixed with pozzolan ashes look very much like granite or limestone as the result of the physical and visual integration between structure, envelope, and interior systems. |