Lecture1-Exeter Library

09/10/10
Lecturer: Karl Daubmann

By investigating the case of Exeter Library by Louis Kahn, we could see the whole comprehensive aspects of the architecture which came into play from the beginning of project to the completion. The project evolved through multiple cycles of revisions, adjustments, negotiations and compromise and finally became what we now see in the site. The examples of how those constraints was dealt with by the architect were suggested as below in the lecture:

1. Cost issue raised
: almost 1 million dollars over budget at the first construction estimate
- reduce the size of the building
- change the material for the central hall from brick to concrete
> led to the concrete atrium space wrapped by the brick masonry enclosure outside as it is now.

2. Code issue raised
- mezzanine (1/3 of floor it serves : 9164 for main floor, 3024 for mezzanine level)