The Salk Institute :: essays papers

The Salk InstituteDr. Jonas Salk commissioned Louis Kahn to design the Salk Institute of Biological Research dependable La Jolla, California. Salk believes that medical research should not be confined to learning alone. In response to Salks view, Kahn saw the possibility of uniting art and architecture with the functional aspect of the design. He agrees with Salk that someone with a mind in art, like himself, could contribute in creating a mental environment of scientific research. Kahns pursue of this vision is apparent in his design process.The earliest massing scheme was to place a linear group of vertical towers parallel to the impertinence of the cliff (diagram 1a). In the second version, a year later, the towers were replaced by iv rectilinear, two-storey blocks set vertical to the sea (diagram 1b). In this version, the four blocks of laboratories were made up of clear drag spaces, made possible by five quoin girders running across each rectangle, with a V-shaped folded plate system perpendicular to the girders, spanning between them. Later, Kahn simplified the configuration of the laboratories, from four rectangular blocks to two, upon Salks request (diagram 1c).In the process, Kahn kept he basic idea of the scheme, which was to place scientists studies away from the laboratories in the central garden and to place auxiliary spaces in vertical towers on their external walls. However, he increased the number of floors to one-third, including the basement, and replaced the V-shaped folded plates above each of the three floors with concrete Vierendeel beams. Stringent seismic criteria related to construction in the San Diego orbital cavity made it difficult for Kahns structural engineer to convince local make officials, who wanted him to use steel frame, that concrete, Vierendeel truss system would have the postulate flexibility. They agreed only after a 400 page opus of undoubtedly integrated deflection computations that shows how post - emphasised columns would provide the main resistance to asquint seismic forces. These columns absorb both dead and live load muscular contraction plus vertical post-tensioning forces. They were also designed to maintain zero tension if subjected to lateral movements by earthquake. The trusses are 9 ft deep, spaced 20 ft on center and have a clear span of 65 ft (diagram 2). He made use of the 9 ft high resultant space as service area, allowing pipe chases to be dropped to the 65x 245 ft floor below with more latitude than before.