Principles and Elements

Richards Medical Center was created by Louis Kahn with three defining towers with what seems like fragile middle spaces in between. He used geometric shapes and symmetry to emphasis each tower as well as bring attention to the protruding windows. His main principles and elements would be line, form, shape, balance, pattern, and unity.

Materials

Louis Kahn created the Richards Medical Building out of the main materials of concrete, brick, and glass. Buildings would commonly be supported by hidden steel, but Kahn created a reinforced concrete structure that was visible to all visitors. He also precast concrete elements to have precision in his work.

His use of brick and glass infills is also important because it shows the order in which materials were important to him and his style.

Connections

There were many influences into the design of the Richards Medical Building including the classic architecture of Italy, Greece, and Egypt, as well as the idea of separating the “served and servants”. Kahn was moved by his travels to Europe and Egypt and wanted to create great buildings that had thicker materials and facades compared to the common “lightweight” look most modern architecture was looking for.

Light and Color

Despite its outward appearance, Richards Medical Building provides great light for those who are inside. The corners and specific openings of the towers are filled with glass to maximize the amount of natural light. These openings were often used for office or meeting spaces, so people didn’t feel trapped inside.

Experience

The experience of the Richards Medical Center relies mainly on the amount of open space available and how it aids the relationship between the building and inhabitants. Although there is exposed concrete inside the building, the space and structure it provides greatly improves the way people move and can communicate.

Theories

We can go back to the idea of the “served and servants” with the idea of theory. Kahn wanted to emphasize that laboratories are closely related to studios and should allow the creator to move and breathe freely. He also created multiple facilities, such as stairs, elevators, and air handling towers, on the perimeter of the building to maximize the efficiency and room of the laboratories and community spaces.

Technology

There were many technical aspects that went into the design of the Richards Medical Center, many of them were construction related and weren’t reliant on electrical technology. This building is created from “1019 pre-stressed concrete columns, beams, trusses, and related items” that were carried and assembled into place by cranes and cables. A lot of these cables were what was holding it together like “an old-style toy that is floppy until its parts are pulled together tightly with a string”.

Finishes

The Richards Medical Building didn’t have very many finishes or details. Louis Kahn was focused on the idea of exposed concrete and having a building resemble or have the idea of strong Greek, Roman, and Egyptian architecture. The build of his designs was more important than the details.

Furnishing

The inside of the Richards Medical Building often matches the outside, there are very minimal amounts of color and extravagant decoration. Many of the desks, chairs, and conference tables are primarily made of laminate material but to soften the interiors, rooms have carpet and often softer materials hidden into the walls or ceiling openings.

Telling Stories

The idea of the Richards Medical Building is to stand out from other modern buildings and underscore the importance of architecture with a functionalist lens..