Is there anything quite as impressive as a building designed by Louis Kahn? Here, before us, stands not one but two: the Goddard & Richards Laboratories. Although the University of Pennsylvania considers them separate buildings, they are connected and share a captivating design story.
The Richards Laboratories were completed in 1960, marking a pivotal moment in Kahn’s career. The design, a cluster of lab towers connected to a central service tower, was revolutionary. Instead of hiding the building’s structure, Kahn chose to showcase it. The reinforced concrete frame, visible both inside and out, became a defining characteristic of the Richards Laboratories.
Five years later, the Goddard Laboratories were erected, mirroring the Richards Laboratories’ design. Both feature laboratory towers flanking a central service core, interconnected in a linear fashion. This design, considered by many to be the second phase of the Richards project, further solidified Kahn’s architectural vision.
While the Goddard & Richards Laboratories are celebrated for their architectural significance, their functionality, particularly in the Richards building, faced criticism from the scientists working within. The abundance of natural light, a hallmark of Kahn’s design philosophy, resulted in excessive glare. Kahn’s vision of open-plan labs, intended to foster collaboration, was met with resistance from scientists who desired privacy. These challenges highlight the delicate balance between architectural vision and practical functionality.