Light is the Theme: Introduction
As I began writing the first post of this series, I quickly realized it needed an introduction. It got to the point where I had written a full posts worth before discussing the Kimbell Art Museum, the first building for contemplation. Therefore, consider this an introduction to the first group of buildings discussed within the series, architecture as experience.
[Image: Clockwise from top left, Pantheon courtesy of IceNineJon, Dhaka courtesy of vibrantvictoria, Church of the Light courtesy of tuning slide, Ronchamp courtesy of bdkelley.]
In this field, one of my primary inspirations is Louis Kahn. His buildings were feats of art, architecture, and engineering. Together these three gave shape to space by way of light in his designs, for this to him was one of the primary elements.
No space, architecturally, is a space unless it has natural light.
- Louis Kahn
With this quality in mind, the impact of light will serve as the first theme for architecture as experience, an ongoing series of posts focusing on buildings I have visited. The first group will take its title from Nell Johnson’s compilation of Kahn’s Kimbell Art Museum – Light is the Theme. Beginning with the inspiration itself, this group will follow with the National Museum of Roman Art, by Rafael Moneo, and end with the de Young Museum by Herzog & de Meuron.
I want to begin by sharing my first experience of an architectural “moment.” For those unfamiliar with this expression, it describes a breathtaking emotion experienced from a heightened sense of self-awareness that one is in the midst of a beautiful moment in time.
Furthermore, to illustrate this by example, as was done to me, imagine yourself at the ballet. The performance is reaching its climax, and the lead dancer is propelled through the air where she appears to float. Her legs and arms glide effortlessly and gracefully through the air that only a lifetime of preparation can provide. At the zenith of her arc through the air, you find yourself breathless at the site of beauty, while your conscious thought registers the training and talent of the performer to create such a rare moment. This goes beyond simple appreciation. This is a profound moment.
[Image: Courtesy of ballet.co.]
The first time I had this experience was inside the Rothko Chapel in Houston near the Menil Collection by Renzo Piano. During the first semester of my architectural education, my class took a field trip to Houston as the first lesson in training our eyes to see architecture. The chapel is a simple space dedicated to prayer, reflection, and ceremony for visitors of all faiths. The building, in plan, is octagon in shape with 14 large canvas paintings by Mark Rothko on the eight sides. Some were grouped as a tryptic, seen below, but all were painted with deep shades of red, purple, and black. They all appear monochromatic until closer inspection, where the variation in color revelas itself. Over the center of the space is a sklight with a diffuser hung below.
These elements combined to create the sanctuary in which I would experience my first architectural moment.
[Image: Interior view of the Rothko Chapel in Houston. Courtesy of Houston Museum District.]
On that fateful day, it was very sunny in Houston. Not a rare occasion, but it meant that the space within the Rothko Chapel was brightly lit. At first, our group was loud and animated riding the natural high evidenced in people that are normally inside all day. Soon, however, the frenzy died as the space took over. Our ears had adjusted from the wind and cars outside to the chatter and scuffling feet inside. Finally, absolute silence took hold. At this point, everyone had assumed one of two positions. A few were standing at one of the paintings on the wall examining its subtle shift in color. While the rest, like myself, were seated at one of the benches looking inwards or upwards at the skylight.
Suddenly, the room became dark. Not as a subtle shift, but immediate and complete. The whisper of a silent hand swept across and removed the source of light in a single, fluid motion.
That’s when it happened. In that small, stark, and quiet place I experienced the power of natural light on space, with awareness, for the first time. Just a simple shift in the mood of space was all it took to create a pure architectural moment.
Next: Light is the Theme: Kimbell Art Museum
A great American poet once asked the architect, ‘What slice of sun does your building have? What light enters your room? …’ As if to say the sun never knew how great it is until it struck the side of a building.
- Louis Kahn
[Image: Light penetrating an area under the vault at the buildings entrance.]
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