In the development of contemporary architecture, no one has had a greater influence than Louis I. Kahn, whose many buildings include the Salk Institute, the Yale Study Center, and the Exeter Library. He is remembered, however, not only as a master builder, but also as one of the most important and creative thinkers of the twentieth century.

For Kahn, the study of architecture was the study of human beings, their highest aspirations and most profound truths. He searched for forms and materials to express the subtlety and grandeur of life. In his buildings we see the realization of his vision: luminous surfaces that evoke a fundamental awe, silent courtyards that speak of the expansiveness and the sanctity of the spirit, monumental columns and graceful arches that embody dignity and strength.

Updated with a new preface, this classic work is a major statement on human creativity, showing us Louis Kahn as architect, visionary, and poet.

约翰·罗贝尔,建筑师,纽约普拉特学院建筑系建筑理论和建筑史教授。1965年获宾州大学建筑硕士学位（当时路易·康任教于此）,1966年获得宾州大学第二个硕士学位,主修建筑理沦。罗贝尔是纽约建筑联盟理事会成员,常为Arfforum,ProgressiveArchirecture,AlA Journal撰稿,并经常受邀在美国各地进行演讲。

译者简介：成寒,出生于台湾彰化,现居台北。美国亚利桑那州立大学学士、英语教学硕：著有《大诗人的声音》《瀑布上的房子——追寻建筑大师赖特的脚印》《推开文学家的门》《躺着学英语》系列以及《成寒英语有声书》系列等,并有多部译作。

路易·康,1901年生于爱沙尼亚,1905年随父母移民美国费城,从小受传统犹太式教育,多思好问,天生有音乐和绘画才能。1920年至1924年康在宾州大学攻渎建筑,受益于备受摊崇的建筑师保罗·克烈特。1947年至1957年在耶鲁大学教学,期间设计了耶鲁大学美术馆。1957年至1961年没计的宾州大学的理查德医学研究中心成为康对现代建筑的重要贡献。他在60岁至70岁之问,在世界上多个国家进行创作,涵盖了各式各样的机构的建筑物。1974年自印度旅行回纽约时,因心脏病突发去世。