Founded in 1960 by Jonas Salk, the developer of the polio vaccine, and designed by internationally- acclaimed architect Louis Kahn, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies has always been a treasure to La Jolla. After receiving a grant to “build whatever he wanted, wherever he wanted,” from the now-March of Dimes, Salk approached the City of San Diego to allow them to construct one of the most beautiful instistutions in existence to draw in the world’s best doctors and scientists. Construction was completed in 1965, and is when some of the first scientists began work in its labs. To say that Salk achieved his goal would be a major understatement, as the Salk Institute has seen 11 Nobel Laureates in its wake, with three currently serving on the faculty.
The building, typical of modern architecture, blended concrete facades and corridors with teak window systems and, perhaps the most magnetic, singular water feature central to the plaza. Much like most mid-century modern architecture, architects and contractors for the Salk Institute were experimenting with different materials. Much like science, these outcomes are unknown, but can be solved. After enduring more than 50 years situated directly east of the Pacific Ocean, and in direct sunlight the majority of the year, the iconic teak window systems began to weather. In order to preserve this historically-designated landmark, the Salk Institute partnered with The Getty Conservation Institute, The Getty Foundation and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. On June 27, the institution held a “Restoration Celebration” for the completed project. Speakers at the event included Irwin Jacobs, chair emeritus of Salk, Elizabeth Shepherd and Jonathan Salk (Jonas Salk’s son), Susan Macdonald of the Getty Institute, Antoine Wilmering of the Getty Foundation and Jeff Caldwell of Wiss, Janney, Elstner. “This teak conservation program should be perfect for more than 50 years,” Jacobs said of the $9.8 million restoration. Jacobs, a friend to both Salk and Kahn, knows how much more the building means to those that inhabit it. “My dad would walk through the corridors, and caress the concrete walls as though it were a child or trusted friend,” said Salk. “He truly loved this campus.”
In a major feat, two-thirds of the original teak installed in the window systems was able to be retained in this historic conservation effort. Aside from the recurring theme of family, biological progress and conservation, a striking parallel was deduced by Wilmering.
“I saw a quote on the Salk website that struck me,” said Wilmering. “It said ‘Getting older doesn’t have to mean getting sicker.’ Much like what Salk does with the human body, we do with aging buildings.”
The reception then led to a ribbon-cutting ceremony, allowing the public to view the teak for the first time, restored to its original splendor. “To say that our work is completed is far from the truth,” said Caldwell of concrete repairs (echoing a conservation theme of future conservation). “Despite all the technical issues, materials, etc., at the end of the day, it’s people that matter.”