Yale Center for British Art (New Haven, CT) : Aerial context view, looking northeast, showing the west (left) and south (right) elevations and roof skylights

Creator:

Kahn, Louis Isidore, 1901-1974

Published/Created:

1080 Chapel Street, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
1969-1974

Date Depicted:

8/15/2008
1950 AD - 2010 AD

Materials:

concrete
oak paneled inserts
steel: matte steel

Notes:

Located across the street from his first major commission, the Yale University Art Gallery (1953), the Yale Center is Kahn's final work and was completed after his death in 1974. It was the first museum in the United States to incorporate retail shops in its design. The Center's exterior of matte steel and reflective glass confers a monumental presence in downtown New Haven. The geometrical, four-floor interior is designed around two courtyards and is comprised of a restrained palette of natural materials (travertine marble, white oak, and Belgian linen). Kahn succeeded in creating intimate galleries where one can view objects in diffused natural light. He wanted to allow as much daylight as possible to enjoy the collection, with artificial illumination used only on dark days or in the evening. The building's design, materials, and sky-lit rooms combine to provide an environment for the works of art that is simple and dignified. It received the AIA Twenty-Five Year Award in 2004. The Yale Center for British Art was erected to house the largest, most comprehensive collection of British art outside the U.K (donated and endowed by Paul Mellon).

Topics:

Architecture -- United States -- 20th century -- (YVRC)

Period/Style:

Modern
Modernist

Culture:

American

Accession Number:

1A1-KL-YC-A2

Genre:

architecture (AAT)
exhibition buildings: art museums (AAT)

Format:

Image

Content Type:

Sculptures, Models, & Architecture

Rights:

Copyright Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.

Access Restrictions:

Yale Community Only

Digital:

architectural exteriors; contemporary (1960 to present); Art museums construction buildings; exhibition buildings; museums; art museums

Source Creator:

Gilchrist, Scott

Source Title:

Archivision Base Collection

Source Created:

2878 Chamonix, Montreal QC
Archivision, Inc.
8/15/2008

Source Note:

Purchase, Visual Resources Collection, May, 2011; photographer Scott Gilchrist

Yale Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Digital Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Local Record Number:

4152

OID:

10089323

PID:

digcoll:1826715