The Structure of Light: Richard Kelly and the Illumination of Modern Architecture

The potential of electric light as a new building material was recognized in the 1920s and became a useful design tool by the mid-century. Skillful lighting allowed for theatricality, narrative, and a new emphasis on structure and space. The Structure of Light tells the story of the career of Richard Kelly, the field s most influential figure.

Six historians, architects, and practitioners explore Kelly s unparalleled influence on modern architecture and his lighting designs for some of the 20th century s most iconic buildings: Philip Johnson s Glass House; Louis Kahn s Kimbell Art Museum; Eero Saarinen s GM Technical Center; and Mies van der Rohe s Seagram Building, among many others. This beautifully illustrated history demonstrates the range of applications, building types, and artistic solutions he employed to achieve a nocturnal modernity that would render buildings evocatively different at night. The survival of Kelly s rich correspondence and extensive diaries allows an in-depth look at the triumphs and uncertainties of a young profession in the making.

The first book to focus on the contributions of a master in the field of architectural lighting, this fascinating volume celebrates the practice s significance in modern design.