Esherick House

Architect/firm: Louis Kahn

Location: Philadelphia USA

The Esherick House:

Concept:

concept collage:

The Esherick House by Louis Kahn, located in Philadelphia, United States, is a significant  architectural work that demonstrates how a well designed house should be. This house not only  serves greatly for its dwellers, but also shows the attention that architect payed in the well collaborated fundamental elements such as the form, exterior, interior, use of light and space, material, structure and so forth.

This monumental structure has a bold exterior that is made of simple and complete forms of concrete. However, the house does not lose the comfort as a home with its thoughtful interior. The house is naturally ventilated and lit with sun light that streamed in through big wooden frame windows and the light is reflected by the beautiful Apitong wood and shiny white walls that make up the interior of this house. The house is almost equally divided into two rectangular spaces. The living room and dining room are more openly designed with big windows on sides, where as all the bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen are hidden on the other side of the house that protect privacy. The overall simple geometric form designs of the house and its apparent use of material created static and clean spaces that offer comfort and is ready for all kinds of human activities. Overall, this masterpiece by Louis Kahn clearly demonstrated the cooperation between the principles of simple geometric forms and spaces, and light.  The house takes bennefits from using the simplicity in form and space designs with a humanist approach that is really ideal for the dwellers. This also creats a openness for the interior of the house to welcome the sun light coming in and becomes a part of the house. The Esherick House is one of Louis Kahn’s most important works which created a very distinct style that clearly reflects his vision as one of the greatest architects of the 20th century.

concept photos:

Drawings:

resources:

Unknown. “Esherick House Philadelphia, Pennsyvania, USA 1959-1961.” A + U: architecture and urbanism, Feb 2009: 57-80.

Rodell, Sam. “The Influence of Robert Venturi on Louis Kahn.” Master of Science in Architecture, Washington State University, 2008.

Gast, Klaus-Peter; Kahn, Louis I.. Louis I. Kahn. Translated by Susanne Schindler, 76. Basel; Berlin; Boston: Birkhauser, 1999.

Davies, Colin. Key Houses of the Twentieth Century: Plans, Sections and Elevations, 138. Laurence King Publishing, 2006.

Scully, Vincent. Modern Architecture and Other Essays. Princeton University Press, 2003.

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concept:

Architecture is created to provide space for its intended use. It has to be well designed to serve its purpose. Making architecture more than what it supposed to be usually end up departing from its original intention. Thus, it is necessary for an architect to think in basic fundamentals. This applies to all the aspects in an architectural project, including the form, exterior, interior, use of light and space, material, structure and so forth. It is architect’s responsibility to collaborate these fundamental elements in response to basic demands.

The Esherick House, by Louis Kahn, is a great example that demonstrates how a house should be designed to serve for its dwellers. This monumental structure has a bold exterior that did not lose the sense of home with its warm and thoughtful interior. Its simply designed geometric forms and apparent use of material created static and clean spaces that offer comfort and is ready for all kinds of human activities. The house is naturally ventilated and lit with sun light that streamed in through big windows and reflected by the beautiful Apitong wood and shiny white walls. Overall, this masterpiece clearly demonstrated the cooperation of principles of geometry, light and material with simplicity, freedom and a humanist approach. The Esherick House is one of Louis Kahn’s most important works which created a very distinct style that clearly reflects his vision as one of the greatest architects of the 20th century.

formation of the concept:

As a revolutionary master in architecture during the 20^th century, Kahn has always emphasized his design on the nature of material with cooperation of natural light and simple geometry. His architecture has always kept away from fancy decorations and complicated forms or spaces. Instead, he uses the nature of the material he has chosen to make up the characteristics of an architectural design. Continuing his understanding of architecture, he designed the Esherick House. While he maintains his monumental and monolithic style, and clear presentation of the material, he wanted this house to be a warm and comfortable home for the dwellers with the embrace of light and clear open spaces that create freedom.