Phillips Exeter Academy Library - Interior/Structure

A seemingly plain brick exterior hides one of the great works by Louis Kahn. The central atrium is reminiscent of Etienne-Louis Boullee (1785) drafted plans for a library with it's core created by a sort of concrete exoskeleton. At the very top, two enormous concrete crossbeams reflect and diffuse sunlight from thin clerestory windows, filling the atrium with a cool glow. The brilliant combination of the teak wood against concrete helps to soften the space while creating an alluring backdrop.