2008-2009 PRESERVATION as PROVOCATION: Re-thinking Kahn’s Salk Institute

Jonas Salk commissioned the renowned Philadelphia architect Louis I Kahn to design his new Institute for Biological Studies in 1959. Together they collaborated and designed a facility uniquely suited to scientific research. This competition invites architecture students to imagine the next chapter in the life of one of America’s architectural treasures, which was designated a Historic Landmark in 1991. This challenge asks designers how the preservation of these extraordinary buildings can provoke a profound rethinking of our current conventions about composition, construction, and building performance. The aim is to envision a new type of facility that would be unimaginable without the existing structures.

“Materials used are concrete, wood, marble and water. Concrete is left with exposed joints and form work markings. Teak and glass infill in the office and common room walls….The laboratories may be characterized as the architecture of air cleanliness and area adjustability. The architecture of the oak table and the rug is that of the studies.”
—Louis I. Kahn. from Heinz Ronner, with Sharad Jhaveri and Alessandro Vasella Louis I. Kahn: Complete Works 1935-74. p164.165.

THE CHALLENGE
The Salk Institute has been a highly successful research facility, but the changing landscape of science requires an evolution of the campus; along with respect of the architectural and historic integrity of the site.

SCHEDULE
December 5, 2008 - Registration Begins, online (there is no fee for registration)
February 9, 2009 - Registrations Deadline
June 17, 2009 - Submission Deadline
June 2009 - Prize winners chosen by the design jury
Summer/Fall 2009 - Competition Summary Publication

www.acsa-arch.org