Visiting the Jonas Salk Institute

Located in La Jolla, California, the Jonas Salk Institute was on my must-see list for years — and I finally made it there! About 20 minutes north of San Diego, the Salk Institute offers architecture tours by appointment, and a small admission fee is charged. And it’s well worth a trip to see this in person.

Perched on the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, California, Louis Kahn's architecture is a kind of spiritual minimalism that is unlike any other place.

The power of the Salk courtyard comes from a skillful manipulation of a few simple elements — just stone, sky, water, and horizon.


The famous travertine courtyard between the two laboratory blocks is precisely aligned with the horizon over the Pacific Ocean. At sunset, the light runs straight along the central axis and the thin water channel glows dramatically.

The Salk Institute was built in 1962, but feels absolutely modern and current today, a half-century later. Kahn initially considered planting a garden between the two buildings, but then he collaborated with Luis Barragan on the design of a central plaza. Barragan told Kahn that he should not add one leaf, nor plant, not one flower, nor dirt. Instead, Barragan advised Kahn to make it a plaza with a single water feature. The resulting space is considered the most impressive element of the entire design.

Serene and timeless, the Salk Institute feels simultaneously futuristic and ancient. I took these photos when I visited and had an amazing experience I will always remember.

Windows and movable panels are made of teak, chosen for durability in the salty ocean air. The wood has aged to a warm color that contrasts dramatically with the cool gray concrete.

At first glance the courtyard looks like poured concrete, but it’s actually travertine marble paving. The pale stone was chosen to harmonize with the warm-toned concrete buildings. The fountain designs were inspired by Islamic gardens.

Architect Louis Kahn believed researchers needed inspiration, so each scientist’s study faces the Pacific, giving them a quiet place to think away from the busy lab spaces.