Kahn Reference Guide

The Library at Phillips Exeter Academy, which was designed by Louis I. Kahn (1901-1974), a Philadelphia architect of international renown, was completed in 1971 and was one of his last major works. Although there has been broad coverage of many aspects of his work, specific information on this building has been comparatively scarce and scattered. Architects, students and teachers continue to visit the Library every year; many of these come from distant countries. To assist their study of the building, this guide has been prepared by Maude E. Brown from research by Herbert A. Carl. The revised edition was prepared by Andra Crawford. We hope that additional information will be brought to our attention.

Jacquelyn H. Thomas
Academy Librarian

Books

Barford, George. Understanding Modern Architecture. Worcester,
MA: Davis Publications, Inc., 1986 (p. 120).
A brief description and one photograph of the Library.

Bednar, Michael J. The New Atrium. New York: McGraw-Hill,
     1986 (pp. 172-173).
          A discussion of the atrium of the Library and its relation to the building
          as a whole. Illustrations, plans, section.

Brown, Jack Perry. Louis I. Kahn: a Bibliography. New York: Garland, 1987.
Writings by and about Louis Kahn, arranged chronologically.

Close, Gloria W. "The Library of Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New
     Hampshire, 1967-1972." Louis I. Kahn Bibliography. Architectural Series:
     Bibliography A-190.  Monticello, IL: Vance Bibliographies, 1980 (p. 10).
          An extensive bibliography of all sources by and about Kahn, with a section on
          specific works. The section on the Library is a selective listing of journal articles
          which includes some non-English language articles.

Drexler, Arthur. "Louis Kahn." In Transformations in Modern Architecture.
     New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1979 (pp. 102-105).
          Includes a short discussion of the Library and dining hall, "compositions of
          great refinement using the simplest means...."

Futagawa, Yukio, and Romaldo Giurgola. Indian Institute of Management,
     Ahmedabad, India, 1963-, Exeter Library, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter,
     New Hampshire, U.S.A., 1972. Edited and photographed by Yukio Futagawa;
     text by Romaldo Giurgola. Tokyo: A.D.A. Edita Tokyo, 1975 (GA Global
     Architecture, 35).
          A brief description and evaluation of the building, with fine photographs and
          plans. In Japanese and English.

Giurgola, Romaldo, and Jaimini Mehta. "Library and Dining Hall, Phillips Exeter Academy,
     Exeter, New Hampshire, 1967-1972." In Louis I. Kahn. Boulder, CO: Westview Press,
     1975 (pp. 90-93).
          Chiefly illustrations and diagrams with brief descriptions.

Huxtable, Ada Louise. "Louis Kahn: Exeter Library." In Kicked a Building Lately?
     New York: Quadrangle/New York Times Book Co., 1976 (pp. 95-98).
          This essay is a slightly condensed version of the news story in The New York
          Times of Oct. 23,1972, which is described below.

Kahn, Louis I. The Louis I. Kahn Archive: Personal Drawings: the Completely
     Illustrated Catalogue of the Drawings in the Louis I. Kahn Collection, University
     of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Historical Society and Museum Commission.
     Vol 4. New York: Garland, 1987 (pp. 382-453).
          Kahn's drawings and sketches for the Academy Library.

Kahn, Louis I. What Will Be Has Always Been: the Words of Louis I. Kahn.
Ed. Richard S. Wurman. New York: Access Press and Rizzoli, 1986 (pp. 178-183).
Comments on the Library by Kahn, reprinted from various other sources.

"Kahn, Louis I." The Britannica Encyclopedia of American Art. Chicago:
     Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corp., 1973 (pp. 315-316).
          A brief mention which includes the phrase "a monumental piece of 'jewelry'
          architecture. . ."

"Kahn, Louis I." Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects. Vol 2. New York: Free
     Press, 1982 (pp. 537-546).
          Discusses the Library as an example of Kahn's treatment of the corners of
          buildings.

"Library and Dining Hall, Philip (sic) Exeter Academy, Exeter, New
     Hampshire / 1967-72." In Louis I. Kahn. Tokyo: Architecture and Urbanism,
     1975 (pp. 142-161, 238).
          Excellent color photographs only (taken after display cases were added).
          Text in Japanese and English.

"Library, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire, U.S.A., 1967-72."
     In Louis I. Kahn: Conception and Meaning. Tokyo: Architecture and Urbanism,
     1983 (pp. 158-171).
          Plans, section, color photographs; brief text in Japanese and English.

Lobell, John. "Library, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire,
     1967-72." In Between Silence and Light: Spirit in the Architecture Of Louis
     I. Kahn. Boulder, CO: Shambhala, 1979 (pp. 100-105).
          A brief text on the design with photographs and diagrams.

"Louis I. Kahn, architect, 1901-1974." Compiled by Jack Perry Brown.
     Louis Kahn and Paul Zucker: Two Bibliographies. The American Association
     of Architectural Bibliographers: Papers, vol. XII. Ed. Frederick D. Nichols.
     New York: Garland, 1978.
          Bibliography of books and journal articles by and about Kahn, arranged
          chronologically.

Lym, Glenn Robert. A Psychology of Building: How We Shape and Experience
     Our Structured Spaces. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1980 (pp. 82-93).
          An analysis of the use of the space in the Phillips Exeter Academy Library,
          primarily through interviews with 18 students. Isometric plan, photographs,
          seating diagrams.

Mee, Charles L., Jr. "Louis Kahn." In Three Centuries of Notable American
     Architects, Ed. Joseph J. Thorndike, Jr. New York: American Heritage
     Publishing Co., Inc., 1981 (pp. 280-299).
          An overview of Kahn's career. On the Library, ". . . a feeling of mystery
          and power that makes it one of Kahn's greatest works."

Roca, Miguel Angel. "La Biblioteca de Exeter: El Santuario de la Memoria." In
     Arquetipos y Modernidad I: Louis Kahn. Buenos Aires: Coleccion Summarios,
     1984 (pp. 17-26.)
          Includes plans, section and photographs.

Ronner, Heinz, Sharad Jhaveri, and Alessandro Vaselle. "Phillips Exeter
     Library, Exeter, N.H. 1967-72." In Louis I. Kahn Complete Works,
     1935-74. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1977 (pp. 365-372).
          Floor plans, drawings, elevations, photographs of models, with captions
          and running text of quotations by Kahn.

Rouda, Mitchell B. "Kahn, Louis I(sadore)." In Contemporary Architects, Ed.
     Muriel Emanuel. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1980 (pp. 409-412).
          A chronological biography followed by a list of works and a comprehensive
          bibliography of work by Kahn, books on Kahn, and an essay about his work
          which includes mention of the Library.

Smith, Charles R. Paul Rudolph and Louis Kahn: a Bibliography. Metuchen, NJ:
     The Scarecrow Press, 1987 (pp. 165-167).
          A thorough bibliography of writings about Kahn and his work, arranged by
          project.

Smith, G.E. Kidder. "The Phillips Exeter Academy Library (1969-71)." In
     The Architecture of the United States. Vol. 1. Garden City, NY: Anchor
     Press/Doubleday, 1981 (pp. 341-343).
          A general description and evaluation of the building.

Tyng, Alexandra. Beginnings: Louis I. Kahn's Philosophy of Architecture.
New York: Wiley, 1984 (pp. 51-52).
Plan, section and photographs of the Library accompany a brief description.

Vivoni-Farage, Enrique. A Measure of Silence: Louis I. Kahn and the
     Transformation of the Wall. Ann Arbor, MI: University Microfilms, 1985
     (pp. 131-145). Ph.D. dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1985.
          The plan of the Library is discussed as a case study of Kahn's approach;
          includes illustrations and plans.

Wiseman, Carter. Louis I. Kahn: Beyond Time and Style: A Life in
     Architecture. New York: W. W. Norton, 2007 (pp. 180-205).
          The Library is discussed in chapter seven, "A Temple for Learning,"
          which contains photographs and a cross-section of the final design.

Wright, Sylvia Hart. "Phillips Exeter Academy Library; Exeter, N.H., 1972."
     In Highlights of Recent American Architecture: A Guide to Contemporary
     Architects and Their Leading Works Completed 1945-1978. Metuchen, NJ:
     The Scarecrow Press, 1982 (p. 66).
          A short description of the Library: notes managers, engineers, contractor.

[back to top]

Periodicals

Andreotti, Libero. "Conceptual and Artifactual Research Programmes in Louis
     I. Kahn's Design of the Phillips Exeter Academy Library (1966-72)." Design
     Studies July 1984: 159-165.
          Discusses the evolution of Kahn's design for the Library in theoretical terms.
          Plans, sections, drawings.

Armstrong, Rodney. "New Look Library at Phillips Exeter Academy."
     Library Scene 2 (Summer 1973): 23-25.
          Written by the Librarian after a year's occupation of the Library, this article
          describes the concepts considered in the planning and how they were
          realized in the design. The cover has a color photograph of the building.

"Bibliothèque de l'Academie Exeter à Exeter, New Hampshire." Louis I. Kahn
Oeuvres 1963-1969. Architecture d'Aujourd'hui, No. 142: 70-73.
Brief text, photographs of models and plans.

Campbell, Robert. "Grand, But Less Than Great." Boston Sunday Globe
25 November 1973: A5.
Architecture review; "a work of enormous individuality and strength."

Clark, Roger H., Michael Pause, and twenty students of the School of
     Design. "Analysis of Precedent: an Investigation of Elements,
     Relationships, and Ordering Ideas in the Work of Eight Architects."
     The Student Publication of the School of Design, North Carolina
     State University at Raleigh, 1979.
          Compares elements of various works, including the Academy
          Library, by eight architects. Diagrams.

Comstock, Paul. "An Interview with Louis Kahn Biographer Carter Wiseman."
     California Literary Review 30 April 2007. Found online at
     http://calitreview.com/2007/06/15/an-interview-with-louis-kahn-biographer-carter-wiseman/.
          Carter Wiseman talks about Louis Kahn's life and his architecture.

Gorlin, Alexander C. "Biblical Imagery in the Work of Louis I. Kahn: from
     Noah's Ark to the Temple of Solomon." A&U: Architecture and Urbanism
     176 (May 1985): 83-92.
          "The highly charged mythical imagery of Exerter (sic) leads ultimately to
          the Temple of Solomon through its American Masonic interpretations."

Hennessy, Richard. "Prototype and Progeny: Some Recent Monumental
     Architecture." Artforum 17 (November 1978): 68-74.
          The building is described as a work in which ". . . function, unit of design
          and unit of construction are totally harmonized." The use of brick and the
          importance of the facades are discussed briefly, the author maintaining
          that Kahn was ". . . rethinking the logic of brick construction." There are
          photographs, with one of the Kahn-designed dining hall mislabeled "Library."

Hughes, Robert. "Brick is Stingy, Concrete is Generous." Horizon 16 (Autumn
     1974): 30-45.
          A general article about Kahn's work and philosophy; contains a brief
          description of the Library and several photographs.

Huxtable, Ada Louise. "New Exeter Library: Stunning Paean to Books."
     The New York Times 23 October 1972: 33-34.
          Description and evaluation of the building. "A serene, distinguished
          structure of considerable beauty...."

Jordy, William H. "Criticism: Kimball Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas/
     Library, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire." The
     Architectural Review 155 (June 1974): 330-335.
          Discussion of the two buildings, which were completed almost
          simultaneously. Plans, models, illustrations.

"Kahn a Doppio Guscio." L'Architettura: Chroniche e Storia xviii,
(gennaio 1973): 615.
Brief article with illustration and plan.

"Kahn: Phillips Exeter; Library Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter,
     New Hampshire." The Architectural Review 155 (June 1974):
     336-342.
          Description, plans and elevations, photographs.

Kay, Jane Holtz. "Architecture." The Nation 30 March 1974: 413-414.
Discusses the architecture of the Library and its relation to the
rest of the campus.

Kohane, Peter. "Louis I. Kahn and the Library: Genesis and Expression
     of 'Form.'" Via 10 (1990): 99-131.
          Essay on Kahn's thoughts about libraries, and the design of the
          Academy Library in particular. Illustrations, plans.

LeCuyer, Annette. "Evaluation: Kahn's Powerful Presence at Exeter."
     Architecture 74 (February 1985): 74-79.
          The Library and dining hall are described in terms of their functioning
          in the Exeter setting; ". . . a timeless vision — at once classical and
          contemporary — of institutions that form the very foundation of human
          culture." Photographs, plan.

"Louis Kahn: Biblioteca della Phillips Exeter Academy ad Exeter,
     Inghilterra" (sic). L'Architettura: Chroniche e Storia xx. n. 5 (settembre
     1974): 325-327.
          Brief article accompanied by photographs, plans, section.

Marlin, William. "Within the Folds of Construction." The Architectural Forum
     139 (October 1973): 26-35.
          Discussion on the theme: "Louis Kahn's work at Exeter Academy
          evinces an on-going search for the essential elements of architecture."
          Photographs.

"The Mind of Louis Kahn." The Architectural Forum 137 (July/August
     1972): 76-77.
          After a brief description there is a statement by Kahn about his
          intent and thinking behind the design of the Library. Photographs,
          plan, elevation.

Novitski, B. J. "In Search of Louis Kahn." Architecture Week 17 Dec.
2003: C1.
A review of the film My Architect.

"Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, N.H.: Louis I. Kahn - Philadelphia."
     New England Architect July/August 1972: 21-24.
          Describes the planning and finished details of the building. Illustrated
          with photographs and plans.

Shenker, Israel. "Kahn Defines Aim of Exeter Design." The New York
     Times 23 October 1972: 40.
          An interview with the architect who speaks of his principles of architecture,
          the Library and other buildings.

Wickersham, Jay. "The Making of Exeter Library." Harvard Architecture
     Review 7 (1989): 138-149.
          A thorough article on the design and construction of the Library by an
          alumnus of the Academy. Illustrations, plans, sections.

[back to top]

Phillips Exeter Academy Publications

Armstrong, Rodney. "The New Library." The Phillips Exeter Bulletin Summer 1967: 4-9.
          A discussion of early plans for the new building, which
          includes reproduction of a drawing by Kahn, an elevation,
          floor plan, and brief biography of Kahn.

Bedford, Henry F. A New Library at Exeter. Exeter, NH: Phillips Exeter Academy Press, 1968.
          Issued for "The Long Step Forward," this pamphlet outlines the need for a new
          building and the relationship of the Library to the curriculum of the school. It is
          interesting background for considerations of design and function.

Bragdon, Henry Wilkinson. Serendipity and Service. Exeter, NH: The Phillips
     Exeter Academy, 1973.
          A two-page leaflet with cover title "The Library." This was written after the
          building had been in use for a few years and gives interesting insight into how
          the building is functioning for the user.

Clark, Susannah. "An Open Book." The Exeter Bulletin Winter 2006: 20. Found
     online at http://www.exeter.edu/documents/Exeter_Bulletin/An_Open_Book.pdf.
          An article on the 100 years of the library at Phillips Exeter Academy and the
          changes that occurred in the Academy libraries over that time.

Friends of the Academy Library. The Library at Phillips Exeter Academy.
     Exeter, NH: 1984.
          This eight-page pamphlet describes the building, the collections and the
          history of the Library. Illustrated with photographs and a wood engraving.

James-Chakraborty, Kathleen, Rodney Armstrong, and Beth Brosnan.
     "Our Architect." The Exeter Bulletin Spring 2004: 24.
          Articles on the significance of the building by an architectural historian, a
          recollection of how Kahn came to design the library, and an interview with
          filmmaker Nathaniel Kahn on My Architect.

Phillips Exeter Academy. Dedication of a New Library for Exeter, October
     21, 1972. Exeter, NH: 1972.
          Portfolio program containing three wood engravings in chiaroscuro by John
          De Pol, A.N.A.

Phillips Exeter Academy. Fact Sheets for Visitors: The Library Building. Exeter,
     NH: 1972.
          A single sheet of general information, and a two-page listing of manufacturers
          and suppliers of furniture and equipment, consultants on design and construction
          and major subcontractors.

Phillips Exeter Academy. Program of Requirements for the New Library
     Recommended by The Library Committee of the Faculty. Exeter, NH:
     June 1966.
          This report of The Committee has the cover title "Proposals for The Library
          at The Phillips Exeter Academy."

[back to top]

Media

First Principles. Washington, D.C.: International Masonry Institute, 1974.
     Videocassette.
          Historian Vincent Scully explains the history of load bearing design
          from ancient Rome to present-day Bangladesh, India, and America
          in an artistic continuum from the Emperor Hadrian to the American
          architect Louis Kahn.

          The examples of Kahn buildings used are the government center at
          Dacca, the Indian Institute of Management at Ahmedabad, and the
          Library at Phillips Exeter Academy.

Louis I. Kahn. London: World Microfilms Publications, 1988. Slides.
A set of 68 color slides of Kahn's works from 1953 to 1972, taken by Tadeusz
Barucki; numbers 57-68 are of the Academy Library and dining hall.

Louis I. Kahn: An Offering to Architecture. Los Angeles: Museum of
     Contemporary Art, 1992. Videocassette.
          Presents Louis Kahn's mature work. Narration provided by the voice of
          Kahn, using excerpts from audio recordings of talks he gave around the world.

Louis I. Kahn, Architect. New York: Museum at Large, 1972. 16mm film.
Shows a number of buildings designed by the architect Louis I. Kahn,
including the Library at Phillips Exeter Academy.

Louis I. Kahn: In the Realm of Architecture. Los Angeles: Museum of
     Contemporary Art, 1991. Videocassette.
          Vincent Scully describes Kahn's life and work; includes Kahn himself discussing
          some aspects of his architectural philosophy.

Louis I. Kahn: Three Buildings. Los Angeles: Museum of Contemporary
Art, 1991. Videocassette.
Vincent Scully discusses the Library and two other Kahn works.

Louis Kahn: Silence and Light. New York: Michael Blackwood Productions,
     2001. Videocassette.
          Louis Kahn talks about his work; other architects comment on him
          and his architecture, which is seen as transcending trend and style, and
          which focuses on light and timeless qualities.

My Architect: A Son’s Journey. New York: New Yorker Video, 2005. DVD.
          Nathaniel Kahn, Louis Kahn’s only son and the illegitimate child of one
          of Kahn’s long-time mistresses, undertakes a five-year worldwide journey
          to understand his long-dead father. The movie explores both Kahn’s personal
          life and his buildings and presents a moving personal odyssey, as well as
          portraying the beauty of Kahn’s architectural legacy. All of Kahn's major buildings,
          including the Library at Phillips Exeter Academy, are shown.

1997 25 Year Award: Phillips Exeter Academy. Washington, D.C.: American
     Institute of Architects, 1997. Videocassette.
          A brief visual tour of the Library with commentary by students, faculty
          and staff.

"Phillips Exeter Academy Library (1965-1971)." Form Function in Architecture.
     Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1998. CD-ROM.
          An excellent series of photographs, plan and discussion of the design of the building
          by R. Thomas Hille.

[back to top]

Web Sites

A Digital Archive of American Architecture. 1996-1998. Boston College.
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/kahn.html.
Color slides.

The Phillips Exeter Academy Library. Design Integration Laboratory
     Affiliated with the Department of Architecture. University of
     Oregon Design Laboratory.
     http://www.designlaboratory.com/courses/96.2/studios/a584.s96.matthews/library/Exeter.html.
          Includes photographs, plan, and short bibliography.

Exeter Library - Louis I. Kahn - Great Buildings Online. 1997-2004.
     Great Buildings Online Collection Photographs.
     http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Exeter_Library.html.
          3-D model. Short bibliography.

Phillips Exeter Academy Project Page. University of Pennsylvania.
     The Louis I. Kahn Collection. The Architectural Archives of the
     University of Pennsylvania.
     http://www.design.upenn.edu/archives/majorcollections/kahn/likexeter.html.

Archivision. Archivision.
     http://www.archivision.com/cgi-bin/avsearch.cgi?phillips+exeter+academy.
          Educational image resource for architecture and design. Slides and
          digital files available for a fee.

My Architect web site. 2003. Louis Kahn Project Inc.
     http://www.myarchitectfilm.com/.
          Web site for My Architect: A Son's Journey, the film made by Nathaniel
          Kahn about his father's life and work. Site includes a video showing some
          of Kahn's work, still photos, and other material about the film.

[back to top]

Phillips Exeter Academy Archives

Wooden model of the Library, the dining hall and two adjacent buildings, in
display case in the Periodicals Room on the ground floor.

Preliminary models.

Blueprints of plans.

Sepia drawings.

Miscellaneous letters and papers, chiefly exchanges between the Academy
Librarian and Mr. Kahn and his staff.

Interior and exterior photographs of the building from construction and
dedication to the present.

Kalan, Wendy. "Presentation Boards, Model, Elevation Study, Slides." From a
student analysis project done for a course at The Cooper Union, 1974.

[back to top]