Salk Institute architecture by Louis Kahn

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, designed by architect Louis I. Kahn and completed in 1965, sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and is renowned for its paired laboratory buildings flanking a narrow central courtyard with a linear water channel. The complex's austere geometry, use of concrete and teak, and siting have made it an icon of modern architectural design and a frequent subject of architectural study and photography. The facility remains an active research institute and offers limited public access for tours and visits.