Salk Institute

In 1960 Jonas Salk, the pioneer of polio prevention, founded the Salk Institute for biological and biomedical research. Louis Kahn designed the building, completed in 1965, as a masterpiece of modern architecture, with a classically proportioned plaza made of travertine (aka immature) marble and cubist, mirror-glass laboratory blocks framing a perfect view of the Pacific. Stand on the plaza's east end let your eye follow the 'river of life', representing knowledge, as it 'connects' with the ocean.

There are three floors of laboratories, and above each of them is an entire floor used to house the necessary utilities. You can tour the Salk Institute for free with a guide on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon. Call (ext 1287) for reservations.