(peaceful piano music)
- My name is Lily
Robinson, I'm an architect
and a tour guide here
at the Salk Institute.
The courtyard is flanked
by 36 individual studies
housed in study towers.
These provide a quiet place
for scientific contemplation
for the PI's, the principal investigators
or senior level scientists.
The towers at the east end
of the building contain
heating ventilation and
other support services.
At the west end there
are six floors of offices
overlooking the ocean.
Together there are 29 separate structures
joined together to form
the Salk Institute.
Kahn refer to the labs as
the stainless steel areas
where you do your experiment,
while the studies are
a more humanized space
that Kahn referred to as
the oak table and rug area.
Access to these studies are
in an open air stairwell
with travertine treads
and a special detail
on the stainless steel handrail.
The towers are arranged so that each study
has a view of the plaza and the ocean.
This is accomplished by
an angled concrete wall
which allows a clear view
of the Pacific Ocean.
Customer teak windows slide open
to capture the prevailing breezes
and allow for natural ventilation.
Sunlight is controlled
through teak louvered shutters
custom designed by Louis Kahn.
Each study has a private
restroom with slate, wood,
and mirror.
The interior of each study is customized
with white oak panels,
bookshelves, and casework.
When a PI is assigned a study they choose
the perfect desk, seating,
lighting, artwork,
and area rug.
This is truly what Kahn meant
by an oak table and rug area.
(peaceful synthesizer music)
