A great building must begin with the unmeasurable must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be unmeasurable.
By: Louis Kahn
Imagine standing before a grand edifice, its towering presence both humbling and awe-inspiring. It’s a structure that seems to transcend time, its walls whispering tales of the past while promising a future of endless possibilities. This is the essence of what Louis Kahn, a visionary architect, meant when he said, “A great building must begin with the unmeasurable, must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be unmeasurable.” But what does this profound statement mean, and how can it apply to our own lives, our own personal “buildings”?
Every great endeavor starts with a dream, a vision that is not confined by the physical dimensions of reality. It’s an idea, a feeling, a desire that cannot be quantified or easily described. For a building, this is the architect’s initial concept, the emotional response they wish to evoke. For us, it’s our aspirations and dreams, the very essence of our potential that knows no bounds.
When we set out to achieve something, we must tap into this unmeasurable realm. It’s the passion that fuels late-night study sessions, the love that inspires artists to create, and the determination that drives athletes to train. It’s the part of us that dares to imagine a life beyond our current circumstances, a world where we’ve achieved our wildest dreams.
However, to bring a dream into reality, we must pass through the realm of the measurable. For a building, this is the painstaking process of drafting plans, calculating loads, and selecting materials. It’s the realm of architects and engineers, of blueprints and building codes. It’s where the ethereal vision begins to take on a tangible form.
In our own lives, this is the stage of setting goals, creating action plans, and measuring progress. It’s where the dreamer must become a doer. We must learn new skills, manage our time, and sometimes, endure the monotony of routine. It’s the part of the journey that’s often fraught with challenges and setbacks, but it’s also where we grow the most.
It’s important to remember that this phase is not an end in itself but a means to an end. The measurable is simply the vehicle that carries us closer to our unmeasurable dreams. It’s the discipline that brings freedom, the structure that allows for creativity, and the limitations that inspire innovation.
Finally, when the building is complete, when the scaffolding is removed, and the workers have gone home, what remains is something that transcends the sum of its parts. It’s no longer just concrete, glass, and steel; it’s a living, breathing space that shapes the lives of those who enter it. It’s a place where memories are made, where history is written, and where the human spirit is lifted.
In our own lives, when we’ve achieved a goal or realized a dream, we find ourselves back in the realm of the unmeasurable. The sense of accomplishment, the pride, the joy – these are things that can’t be measured or fully explained. They are the essence of what it means to be alive, the intangible rewards that come from having pursued something greater than ourselves.
But the journey doesn’t end there. Just like a great building, we are never truly finished. We continue to evolve, to inspire, and to be shaped by the lives we touch. Our achievements become the foundation for new dreams, new visions that once again begin in the unmeasurable.
So how can we apply Kahn’s wisdom to our own lives? How can we ensure that our personal “buildings” are as great as they can be?
Remember, the process of creating something great, whether it’s a building or a life, is cyclical. We move from the unmeasurable to the measurable and back again. It’s a dance between the tangible and the intangible, the seen and the unseen, the finite and the infinite.
So, let us take inspiration from the great buildings that stand as testaments to human ingenuity and perseverance. Let us build our lives with the same balance of dreams and reality, ensuring that what we create is not only measurable in its achievements but also unmeasurable in its significance.
Louis Kahn was an influential American architect known for his monumental and thoughtfully designed buildings. He believed that architecture should be a reflection of social values and contribute to a sense of community and purpose.
It means that the initial concept of a building is rooted in creativity and vision, which are abstract and cannot be quantified. It’s the idea or feeling the architect wants to evoke through the design.
This refers to the practical aspects of architecture, such as drafting plans, engineering, and construction. It’s the process of turning the initial vision into a physical reality through measurable, quantifiable steps.
Once completed, a building becomes more than the sum of its parts. It gains significance through its impact on people’s lives, its contribution to the community, and its aesthetic and emotional resonance, which are unquantifiable.
We can apply his philosophy by dreaming big, working diligently towards those dreams, and appreciating the intangible rewards of our achievements. It’s about balancing vision with action and recognizing the unmeasurable value of our experiences.
Yes, the quote’s underlying principle of starting with an intangible vision, working through tangible steps, and achieving intangible significance can be applied to various fields, including art, business, and personal development.
Some of his most famous works include the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California; the National Assembly Building in Dhaka, Bangladesh; and the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.
The unmeasurable aspects of our goals, such as passion, inspiration, and impact, drive us to achieve and enrich our experiences beyond mere tangible outcomes. They provide depth and meaning to our pursuits.
Challenges may include learning new skills, facing setbacks, managing time effectively, and maintaining motivation. It’s the stage where discipline and perseverance are tested.
We can recognize it through our feelings of fulfillment, the positive impact we’ve made, and the way our achievements resonate with others. It’s often a sense of contentment that goes beyond measurable success.
