The potential of electric light as a new building material was recognized in the 1920s and became a useful design tool by the mid-century. Skillful lighting allowed for theatricality, narrative, and a new emphasis on structure and space. The Structure of Light tells the story of the career of Richard Kelly, the fields most influential figure.

Six historians, architects, and practitioners explore Kellys unparalleled influence on modern architecture and his lighting designs for some of the 20th centurys most iconic buildings: Philip Johnsons Glass House; Louis Kahns Kimbell Art Museum; Eero Saarinens GM Technical Center; and Mies van der Rohes Seagram Building, among many others.

This beautifully illustrated history demonstrates the range of applications, building types, and artistic solutions he employed to achieve a nocturnal modernity that would render buildings evocatively different at night. The survival of Kellys rich correspondence and extensive diaries allows an in-depth look at the triumphs and uncertainties of a young profession in the making.

The first book to focus on the contributions of a master in the field of architectural lighting, this fascinating volume celebrates the practices significance in modern design. 224 pages.