Phillips Exeter Academy Library / Louis Kahn | Classics On Architecture Lab

Architects: Louis Kahn
Area: 12321 m²
Year: 1972
Photographs: Louis Kahn, Phillips Exeter Academy Library, Ed Brodzinsky, yan.da, Kiel Bryant,o f f s e t, Xavier de Jauréguiberry, Naquib Hossain, leonelponce, Daderot, Carol M. Highsmith, Pablo Sanchez
Type: Library
Town: Exeter
Country: United States

The Phillips Exeter Academy Library, designed by Louis Kahn between 1965 and 1972, embodies a thoughtful fusion of traditional and modern architecture, serving as a centerpiece of intellectual life at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. Kahn structured the nearly cubical building in three concentric zones: a brick exterior ring with reading carrels, a concrete middle ring for book stacks, and a central atrium with circular openings that reveal multiple floors. This layout balances functional needs and aesthetic integrity, with ample natural light creating a contemplative ambiance. The library, accommodating up to 250,000 volumes, includes specialized study spaces and media areas that support collaborative learning. Known as the Class of 1945 Library since 1995, it won the AIA’s Twenty-five Year Award for its lasting architectural impact and remains a globally influential example of Kahn’s philosophy of the “thoughtful making of spaces.”

Phillips exeter academy library / louis kahn | classics on architecture lab

In 1965, Phillips Exeter Academy selected Louis Kahn to design a new library for its growing student body after initial plans from other architects were deemed unsatisfactory. The Academy had a specific vision: a brick exterior to harmonize with the campus’s Georgian architecture and an interior that created an ideal environment for study. Kahn’s design met these criteria while embracing modernist principles, making the Phillips Exeter Academy Library one of the most iconic works in 20th-century architecture. Completed in 1972, the library is regarded as an architectural masterpiece and has influenced the design of educational spaces worldwide.

Historical Context and Project Development

Phillips Exeter Academy’s need for a new library became evident in the 1950s, as the existing facilities were outdated and too small to serve the student body. Initial plans leaned towards a traditional design, but after the arrival of Principal Richard Day, the Academy opted for a contemporary structure to reflect modern values and support future generations. After considering other prominent architects, the Academy awarded the project to Kahn, partially influenced by his work at the Salk Institute and his reverence for books as “offerings” to knowledge.

Design and Structural Elements

Kahn conceived the library as a near-perfect cube, each side measuring 111 feet and standing 80 feet tall. The library is organized into three concentric zones, which Kahn called “doughnuts.” Each zone is constructed from different materials and serves a distinct function:

Outer Ring: The exterior features load-bearing brick walls with individual reading carrels along the perimeter, each marked by teak wood panels and large windows to bring in natural light. These brick walls are thickened at the base, emphasizing their structural role.
Middle Ring: This zone, built from reinforced concrete, houses the main book stacks. The concrete provides the strength needed to support heavy volumes, a practical choice that contrasts with the warmth of the wood in the outer ring.
Inner Ring: The central space is a dramatic atrium with enormous circular openings in its walls, allowing visitors to glimpse multiple levels of book stacks. Natural light enters from a clerestory at the top of the atrium and from large north and west-facing windows, creating a sense of reverence akin to that of a cathedral.

The spatial arrangement was highly intentional, allowing readers to feel close to both books and natural light, which Kahn believed was essential for contemplation. The layout also ensures that the library’s organization is apparent at a glance, facilitating intuitive navigation for users.

Architectural Features and Materials

Kahn’s use of load-bearing brick for the outer walls reflects the Academy’s desire for a structure that integrated seamlessly with its Georgian surroundings. The windows widen toward the top as the brick piers thin, a design detail that Kahn described as making the brick “dance like a fairy above and groan below.” This structural honesty is a hallmark of Kahn’s work, drawing attention to the weight and materiality of the building.

Inside, the library’s concrete structure and wooden details—particularly in the carrels and staircase railings—create a balance between strength and warmth. A circular double staircase, faced with travertine, connects the floors and directs visitors into the atrium, where massive concrete cross beams diffuse incoming light and reflect it throughout the central hall. The interiors echo Kahn’s design for the Dhaka National Assembly, showcasing strong geometric forms and natural materials.

Functional Spaces and Facilities

The library’s program includes spaces for a general collection of 160,000 volumes, with a shelf capacity of up to 250,000 books. Reading carrels, seminar rooms, a computer lab, and areas for viewing media are distributed across nine levels. The Academy envisioned the library as more than just a repository of books but as “a modern laboratory for research and experimentation,” emphasizing its role as a community intellectual hub. Each of the 210 study carrels is positioned near windows to maximize natural light, in line with Kahn’s belief that “a man with a book goes to the light.” The carrels offer an intimate, cloistered setting, evoking monastic study spaces and creating an atmosphere of focused reflection.

Symbolism and Design Philosophy

Kahn’s approach to the Phillips Exeter Academy Library reflects his reverence for the act of learning. He integrated simple, elemental forms—circles, squares, and voids—that evoke classical ideals and symbolic interpretations. The central atrium’s shape and proportions echo the golden ratio, a concept Kahn valued for its historical significance in architecture. The building’s proportions and voids have drawn comparisons to sacred architecture, emphasizing learning as a spiritual pursuit. The design also includes practical modern considerations. Kahn planned for future technological needs by incorporating conduit space for the anticipated use of computers, making the library the first computerized building on campus.

Reception and Legacy

The Phillips Exeter Academy Library has been widely celebrated since its completion. In 1995, it was officially named the Class of 1945 Library, and in 1997, it received the American Institute of Architects’ Twenty-five Year Award, an honor recognizing structures of lasting significance. The building was also honored in 2005 by the U.S. Postal Service as one of twelve Masterworks of Modern American Architecture, and in 2007, it ranked #80 on the AIA’s list of America’s Favorite Architecture.

This library remains one of Kahn’s most influential works, embodying his philosophy of “thoughtful making of spaces.” Its architectural clarity, structural integrity, and symbolic resonance continue to inspire architects and designers globally.