AI and Louis Kahn's Exeter Library: Reimagining Monumentality, Materiality, and Human Experience through Generative Design
This research paper explores a central and timely question: Can artificial intelligence understand architectural meaning? Using Louis Kahn's theory of "served" and "servant" spaces as a philosophical framework, the study investigates how AI interprets architecture beyond fo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Alanya Üniversitesi
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Proceedings of the International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism-ICCAUA |
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| Online Access: | https://journal.iccaua.com/jiccaua/article/view/638 |
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| _version_ | 1849428777548906496 |
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| author | Hidayet Softaoğlu |
| author_facet | Hidayet Softaoğlu |
| author_sort | Hidayet Softaoğlu |
| collection | DOAJ |
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This research paper explores a central and timely question: Can artificial intelligence understand architectural meaning? Using Louis Kahn's theory of "served" and "servant" spaces as a philosophical framework, the study investigates how AI interprets architecture beyond formal simulation into the realms of ethics, atmosphere, and symbolic structure. As one of Kahn's most iconic works, the Exeter Library exemplifies monumental form, human-centred space, and material spirituality. By generating visual outputs using MidJourney and evaluating them through five analytical categories—monumentality, spatial order, light, material, and semiotics—this research examines whether AI can approximate meaningful architecture's emotional and metaphysical essence. While AI tools offer impressive capabilities regarding efficiency, environmental responsiveness, and form generation, they often struggle to grasp the humanistic, symbolic, and moral dimensions embedded in architecture. This paper argues that when guided by architectural theory and evaluated through semiotic frameworks, AI can act as a generator of form and as a reader of architectural values.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ae345006768d4c0aaec48f73fa9e661c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 3023-7009 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Alanya Üniversitesi |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Proceedings of the International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism-ICCAUA |
| spelling | doaj-art-ae345006768d4c0aaec48f73fa9e661c2025-08-20T03:28:34ZengAlanya ÜniversitesiProceedings of the International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism-ICCAUA3023-70092025-07-018110.38027/ICCAUA2025EN0360AI and Louis Kahn's Exeter Library: Reimagining Monumentality, Materiality, and Human Experience through Generative DesignHidayet Softaoğlu0Department of Architecture, Faculty Of Art, Design And Architecture, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Türkiye This research paper explores a central and timely question: Can artificial intelligence understand architectural meaning? Using Louis Kahn's theory of "served" and "servant" spaces as a philosophical framework, the study investigates how AI interprets architecture beyond formal simulation into the realms of ethics, atmosphere, and symbolic structure. As one of Kahn's most iconic works, the Exeter Library exemplifies monumental form, human-centred space, and material spirituality. By generating visual outputs using MidJourney and evaluating them through five analytical categories—monumentality, spatial order, light, material, and semiotics—this research examines whether AI can approximate meaningful architecture's emotional and metaphysical essence. While AI tools offer impressive capabilities regarding efficiency, environmental responsiveness, and form generation, they often struggle to grasp the humanistic, symbolic, and moral dimensions embedded in architecture. This paper argues that when guided by architectural theory and evaluated through semiotic frameworks, AI can act as a generator of form and as a reader of architectural values. https://journal.iccaua.com/jiccaua/article/view/638Architectural Design and Artificial IntelligenceArchitectural Theory and CriticismArchitectural SemioticsLouis KahnExeter LibraryGenerative Design |
| spellingShingle | Hidayet Softaoğlu AI and Louis Kahn's Exeter Library: Reimagining Monumentality, Materiality, and Human Experience through Generative Design Proceedings of the International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism-ICCAUA Architectural Design and Artificial Intelligence Architectural Theory and Criticism Architectural Semiotics Louis Kahn Exeter Library Generative Design |
| title | AI and Louis Kahn's Exeter Library: Reimagining Monumentality, Materiality, and Human Experience through Generative Design |
| title_full | AI and Louis Kahn's Exeter Library: Reimagining Monumentality, Materiality, and Human Experience through Generative Design |
| title_fullStr | AI and Louis Kahn's Exeter Library: Reimagining Monumentality, Materiality, and Human Experience through Generative Design |
| title_full_unstemmed | AI and Louis Kahn's Exeter Library: Reimagining Monumentality, Materiality, and Human Experience through Generative Design |
| title_short | AI and Louis Kahn's Exeter Library: Reimagining Monumentality, Materiality, and Human Experience through Generative Design |
| title_sort | ai and louis kahn s exeter library reimagining monumentality materiality and human experience through generative design |
| topic | Architectural Design and Artificial Intelligence Architectural Theory and Criticism Architectural Semiotics Louis Kahn Exeter Library Generative Design |
| url | https://journal.iccaua.com/jiccaua/article/view/638 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hidayetsoftaoglu aiandlouiskahnsexeterlibraryreimaginingmonumentalitymaterialityandhumanexperiencethroughgenerativedesign |