e Salk Institute's
open courard,
flanked by a pair
of symmetrical
buildings, features
a contemplative
water feature and a
view of the horizon
with a vision of
earth and sky.
"I think that was Jonas's intent," says Albright,
whose research concerns the relationship
between the brain and the built environment,
and knew Salk as someone deeply invested
in scientif ic literacy. "He was a very genuine
person and someone who thought deeply
between research and society," shares Albright.
"That really is how he came to be a celebrity,
a hero in American life; he took science and
developed essentially an invention that
changed the course of human civilization in the
20th century. He spent a good part of the rest
part of his life stressing the fact that science is
incredibly important for the way we live, and
improving the way we live."
Salk Institute is a fitting tribute to its namesake—
one of the greatest buildings in the world housing
one of the best biomedical research institutes in
the world. Perhaps its best endorsement is that not
even a scientist can quanti the depth of what
makes it special. "It's a funny experience, because
I come here every day and I have a lot of things on
my mind," says Albright, while sitting in his office,
the Pacific Ocean just le of his computer. "I get
so engrossed in my computer screen that I forget
there's this extraordinary place out there—the
setting, the building itself." But periodically, he
adds, it hits him. He could be anywhere, but he's
here. "It's a very hard thing to characterize . . . but
I'm absolutely convinced there's something about
[what] architects call spirit of place. is place has
a spirit." And plen of support, with Salk Institute
hosting architectural tours and trying to build a
conservation endowment.
"We have a responsibili," says Albright. "We're
the curators of the Salk Institute and it's very
important for posteri that we preserve this
place in this state that it's currently in; the state
intended by Kahn and Jonas." In recent years this
meant renovating the building's weather-beaten
original teak. "It was a huge financial investment
for us," admits Albright, "but again, its part of
our commitment to conserve the institute for the
future." is is invaluable. salk.edu
12.14.2018 | DIGS.NET 61
