Louis I. Kahn, teacher

Louis I. Kahn was not only an architect of powerful buildings; he was also an unconventional teacher and a radical philosopher whose influence on his students was far-reaching. It is through his many former students, especially those in his Master\u27s Class at the University of Pennsylvania, 1960-74, that Kahn\u27s distinctive philosophy of education and unique pedagogy have continued to influence the teaching and making of architecture in the late modern era. Focusing on a neglected area of Kahn scholarship, the author argues that Kahn\u27s legacy as a teacher should be remembered as among his greatest accomplishments. The study examines Kahn\u27s philosophy of education, his unique pedagogy, and his motives for teaching. It draws upon the author\u27s experience as a student in the Master\u27s Class and extensive research at the Louis I. Kahn Collection housed in Penn\u27s Architectural Archives, the comprehensive repository of records relating to Kahn\u27s academic and professional career. It is the first study to be based upon interviews with numerous fellow Master\u27s Class alumni, reflecting the views expressed by Kahn\u27s students about their teacher and the lasting impact of his teaching on their professional lives. © 2013 Cambridge University Press