Architecture as buildings free of servitude : an analysis of Louis I. Kahn's philosophy

Abstract

Architecture comes from a need in man to make a world within a world. it is a need to make of a psychologically meaningful world in the vast and incomprehensible world that nature has created. Building is the manner in which 'man' creates a psychologically meaningful world. But not all of man's buildings satisfy this need. When man loses sight of the need of a building, he creates buildings that are in servitude. The thrust of this dissertation lies in establishing a way in which to ensure that all building that man create become architecture, and to ensure that Architecture is interpreted only as buildings free of servitude. As such its genesis-rests in seeking ways in which to define the role and purpose of building and of Architecture to man, and more importantly at discovering a way in which to create buildings that are free of servitude, there by revealing Louis Kahn's philosophy in its essential meaning. Man creates his building to facilitate his psychic needs for identity and for well being. His buildings as Such. form points of reference of his beliefs and values. This enables man to form a bond with his natural surroundings. Architecture is a building that is such a point of reference, it helps man to live.