Introduction
The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum is a presidential library and museum located on Harbor Point in Dorchester, Massachusetts. The library houses materials related to the life and Presidency of John F. Kennedy, while the museum displays artifacts and exhibits related to Kennedy’s life and legacy (Tsao 204). The National Archives and Records Administration operates the museum, while the JFK Library Foundation manages the library.
Subject Matter and Technical Information
The library was designed by architect I.M. Pei and opened to the public in 1979. The museum is approximately 36,000 square feet in size, while the library is approximately 60,000 square feet. The museum comprises two rectangular pavilions connected by an underground passage (Tsao 205). The library’s exterior is white marble, while the museum’s exterior is clad in glass. This adds to the uniqueness of the building, as many modern constructions capitalize have glass making a bigger part of their outer walls.
Architecture
The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum is a free-standing building made of concrete and glass. This means it is not attached to other structures and stands alone. The exterior of the building is modernized, with clean lines. The interior lobby is structured with up-to-date designs, with a lot of natural light from the large windows. There are traces of the tools used in building construction on the surface. For instance, the artist has left visible lines from where the mold was cut into the synthetic material and marks from where the artist carved and shaped the material. The basic volumetric form of the building is rectangular (Eigen 88). This is a common shape for buildings, but the JFK Library and Museum stands out because of its size and scale.
Structure
The structure of the building is organized around a central axis. The main entrance is on the right side of the building, while a series of smaller windows occupy the left side. The back of the building is made up of a series of large windows. Besides, the building is composed of rectangular forms from left to right. These forms are interconnected and create a sense of movement and flow throughout the building. Moreover, the building is symmetrical and has a well-ordered feel to it. The front of the building is dominated by a large glass facade that extends the full height of the building. Two wings extend out from the main body of the building, and a glass bridge connects these. The overall effect is sleek and modern, blending into other buildings in its surroundings.
Line
The use of line is evident in the building’s overall form and the facade’s detailing. The building has a closed silhouette with strong vertical and horizontal lines. Many linear elements are seen in the forms and how they are interconnected. There is tension between the linear and volumetric elements, with the linear elements appearing to dominate the overall form, which adds to the overall dynamism of the design.
Space
The building displaces space to a moderate degree because it is a three-dimensional object that takes up physical space. The forms and space within the building interpenetrate because the forms create negative space that is occupied by the space within the building. The building employs the illusion of space because it uses forms to create the illusion of depth and volume. For instance, the inside of the building seems larger than the outside. The forms within the building recede into the background, giving the building a sense of depth recession. The building is meant to be seen from a particular point of view, from the front. This means that the composition can only be understood from one angle. The building also does not change as one moves through it, creating a disorienting and confusing experience. The building also has several open spaces and gardens, which help to integrate it with the surrounding environment. The use of glass and sharp angles makes it look different from the traditional buildings nearby, but it still fits relatively well.
Color
The exterior of the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum is made up of different shades of white. The color white is often associated with peace and tranquility, and this is reflected in the design of the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum. The color of the building is important because it represents the purity and innocence of JFK. The white color also has a descriptive and expressive function, as it symbolizes the hope and idealism that JFK represented. The white color also has a descriptive and expressive function, as it symbolizes the hope and idealism that JFK represented.
Light
John Kennedy considered the effect of light on his work to create a certain ambiance or mood. For example, he used light to make a space feel more open and airy or to create a sense of intimacy. Moreover, Kennedy arranged forms to achieve unique shades of darkness and light. For example, he used light to highlight a specific room feature or to create a sense of depth. The light source in this work is the sun. The sun is said to be the source of all life, and it is also said to be a source of knowledge. I got the idea of using light from the sun to represent two sides of various situations. For instance, the sun is the bringer of light and the bringer of dark. It is also the giver of life and taker of life. These aspects are felt within the structure of the building. The light was also employed to reveal or hide some aspects of the building, For example, the light might highlight the texture of a material or create a shadow that makes a particular shape more distinct.
Textures
The architect, I.M. Pei, has used a variety of textures throughout the composition to enhance different aspects of the building. The different textures on the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum’s exterior walls vary to create a sense of movement and dynamism. The smooth, sleek surfaces of the building contrast with the more bumpy and organic textures used on the exterior walls. This contrast creates a sense of movement and energy that is further enhanced by using different colors and patterns on the textures.
Conclusion
I.M. Pei’s John F. Kennedy Library and Museum is a stunning example of modernist architecture. The building is sleek and simple, with clean lines and a strong geometric form. The use of glass and steel gives the building a light and airy feel, while the concrete core provides a sense of solidity and strength. The museum galleries are spacious and well-lit, and the exhibits are well-laid. The library is well-designed and well-organized, with plenty of space for research.
Work Cited
Tsao, Calvin. “I.M. Pei: 1917–2019.” Architectural Research Quarterly, vol. 23, no. 3, 2019, pp. 204–209., Web.