The Exeter Library in New Hampshire is like two different buildings encased in one another. The simple brick façade conceals a monumental concrete cube with massive openings. This unusual building is the design of Louis Kahn, for whom each successive building was a temple to a particular discipline. Interestingly, the Exeter library is the largest high school library in the world.
Middle-aged genius
Louis Kahn is one of America’s most interesting modernists, having only developed his unique style at the age of 50. Kahn was born in 1901 on an Estonian island, and a few years later his family moved to Philadelphia. This courageous decision by the parents of the future architect was linked to the fear of conscription into the Tsarist army.
Interestingly, the family only changed their surname to Kahn in America, and the earlier Jewish surname Schmuilovsky went into oblivion. The young Louis was educated in Philadelphia and began his career there. His first designs were sometimes simple and in keeping with the spirit of the times, although an interesting modernist twist was already noticeable. However, the designs that elevated Kahn to the pantheon of American architects were not created until after the war.
In the late 1950s, the architect began to experiment with concrete and its original forms. It was only then that ancient inspirations began to speak through his subsequent concrete buildings. He was fascinated by monumentalism and the idea of a temple of learning, government or just books as in the case of the library in Exeter. Human ambition and the pursuit of spirituality are also important themes in Kahn’s designs.
Casket composition
The library in Exeter certainly has something of a soul. Designed in 1965, the building resembles an almost even cube with chamfered sides. The brick façade looks inconspicuous, but even on the outside of the building its monumentalism can be seen. Interestingly, the brick pillars with small wooden panels support the weight of the building, as the library has no steel skeleton.
Upon entering the building through an inconspicuous doorway, further layers reveal themselves to the eye. Kahn’s composition is based on several distinct sections of the library. Behind the brick walls is an area for individual reading with separate benches and desks. Interestingly, the wooden panels seen from outside are precisely where the desks have been placed. The desks are well lit thanks to windows inserted directly into the wooden panels. It is worth mentioning that there are about 210 such desks. Although from the outside the building may look a bit like a bunker, inside it is very well lit and spacious.
Another layer is the rows of bookshelves. The metal cabinets hold a total of 250,000 books, making the Exeter library the largest secondary level school library in the world. The stark concrete pillars of this tier, contrast with the cosy carpets and wooden furniture. Successive floors of bookshelves rise up to a massive atrium.
There is a philosophy behind the monumental square blocks. The square with the circle cut out is a reference to the human proportions depicted by Leonardo Da Vinci as Vitruvian man. Equally not coincidental are the dimensions of the main atrium. Measuring 15.8 metres high and 9.8 metres wide, the room was created in accordance with the golden ratio. The geometric shapes of the interior are intended to testify to the building’s perfection. In addition to symbolism, Kahn also focused on functionality, which is why the most important feature of the building is its excellent access to sunlight.
Monumental light
Every space is well lit despite the overlapping layers. Sunlight streams in through the windows all the way to the centre. Interestingly, the atrium is further illuminated by a modernist clerestory, i.e. high-level windows. What’s more, a concrete cross suspended from the ceiling distributes light throughout the room. Kahn could not imagine working by the light of an incandescent bulb and therefore did not want the students to be limited to electric light.
The Philip Exeter Library opened in 1972 and quickly became the most important place on the school grounds. The headmaster wanted pupils to be able to read books, study and spend their leisure time in a library that itself encouraged them to be there. In response, Kahn created a true temple of books and learning with symbolic and monumental architecture. The building combines the cosy atmosphere of a reading room with the solemnity of a monumental atrium. It is noteworthy that, despite the austere pillars and floors, there is room for classical Roman travertine in the interior, which completes the antique character of the design. The official name of the library is ‘The Class of 1945 Library’, which is intended as a tribute to the school’s long-time headmaster.
A keen eye may even spot Indian references, but there is still time to tell the story of Kahn’s exotic fascination. The last 25 years of the architect’s life proved to be very productive and revolutionary, and his modernist legacy changed world architecture forever. Finally, it is worth mentioning that Louis Kahn died at the age of 73 at Penn Station in New York, which you can read about HERE. In turn, you can read about the other concrete colossi HERE and HERE.
Source: Philip Exeter Academy
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