Gregory Kahn Melitonov in Tallinn: Louis Kahn’s Family Archive and Houses

A special event for architecture enthusiasts. In English.

On 7 November 2026 at 16:15, the Estonian Museum of Architecture will host a special lecture by Gregory Kahn Melitonov, an architect, lecturer, grandson of Louis I. Kahn, and custodian of the Kahn family archive. The event takes place on the day of the international premiere of the feature film Joy Will Prevail (Elurõõmu nimel), before its screening in the PÖFF programme.

Gregory Kahn’s lecture offers a rare opportunity to explore the creative legacy of one of the most important architects of the 20th century, as well as a less familiar family perspective on his story.

Louis Kahn’s houses and stories from the family archive

The lecture is based on a presentation Gregory gave at the international seminar “Places that Create Happiness” in Kuressaare, as part of the KAHN 125 programme. In Tallinn, he will focus primarily on two topics:

Louis Kahn’s houses

Although Louis I. Kahn is known for world-famous buildings such as the Salk Institute, the Kimbell Art Museum, and the National Assembly Building of Bangladesh, many of his most important ideas took shape while he was designing houses. Gregory will introduce Kahn’s houses and how they came about, helping audiences understand their wider architectural, cultural, and family context. The lecture explores how houses became places for experimentation, where ideas emerged that later transformed the development of modern architecture.

The Kahn family archive

The lecture will also introduce rare materials from the Kahn family archive: original drawings, correspondence, photographs, notes, and documents that have rarely been shown to the public. These materials offer a unique insight into both Louis Kahn’s creative thinking and his roles as a teacher, father, and person.

About the speaker

Gregory Kahn Melitonov is a New York-based architect and lecturer, and co-founder of the architecture firm Taller KEN. Alongside his professional work, he manages the Louis Kahn family archive and has spent many years sharing Kahn’s work, legacy, and family history with international audiences.

Learn more

Who is this event for?

Architecture, design, and art students; architects and spatial planners; lecturers and researchers; culture enthusiasts; and anyone interested in Louis Kahn’s work, architecture, and spatial culture.

Event details
Date: 7 November 2026
Time: 16:15–17:45
Venue: Estonian Museum of Architecture, Tallinn
Language: English
Admission: Advance registration and a ticket required
Organiser: Louis Kahn Estonia Foundation

Places are limited.

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