Based on an extensive set of unpublished original design drawings from the Louis Kahn Collection, this study presents for the first time in detail one of Kahn´s key works in all phases of its development. The study—two complementary, yet independent books—proceeds from an up-close project narrative that reflects upon Kahn's culture of designing (first book), and explores his original contributions to a modern culture of architectural space (second book). The combination of unpublished original design drawings, new analytical drawings, and an informed and engaging text allows a freshly intimate view of Kahn´s developing architecture and thought, as well as provides new inroads to their relevance for current and future discourse. The project represents the result of several years of teaching and research on the nature of architectural space and the design process.

Michael Merrill studied at Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, and received a professional degree in architecture from California Polytechnic State University and a doctorate in architecture from the Universitaet Karlsruhe. He is a registered architect in California and Germany, where he has practiced both independently and collaboratively, garnering prizes in national and international competitions. He has lectured and served as a visiting critic at various universities in Europe and the United States, and is currently assistant professor for architectural design at the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology.

The University of Karlsruhe, founded in 1825, is the oldest technical university in Germany. The Faculty for Architecture has a student body of approximately 1000. The university was recently selected in a nation-wide competition as one of the top four in the country.