'A Louis Kahn Pilgrimage' at Hacker's Portland studio

A Louis Kahn Pilgrimage | Join us for a talk and reception by Daniel Toole, AIA, at our Portland studio on Wednesday, November 5th from 5:30 - 8:00 PM. On view for a few months in Hacker’s gallery, the exhibition showcases pastel drawings and photos by Daniel. This event is free and open to the public.

In the early 1970s, a group of young architects moved to Eugene, Oregon to explore life out west and to teach architecture at the University of Oregon after working with the great Estonian-born American architect Louis Kahn in Philadelphia on what are now considered masterpieces of postwar modern architecture. Thomas Hacker was among these teachers, and would have a great impact on the next generation of architects practicing in the region today through his teaching, before moving to Portland and beginning an equally influential practice.

Throughout his education at the University of Oregon and professional development in Portland, Daniel Toole has explored this rich legacy while working under a number of architects taught by Thom Hacker. For many years he dreamed of making a pilgrimage to Philadelphia to see the Louis Kahn archives and buildings nearby. He was able to finally make this journey in early 2025 and will share reflections from this trip through personal photographs and pastels.

Daniel Toole is an architect and educator based in Portland working throughout the northwest and beyond. He holds degrees in architecture from the University of Oregon and Harvard GSD. Before founding his own practice in 2020, he worked for a number of architects trained by Thom Hacker, such as John Cava and Brad Cloepfil (Allied Works), where his interests in this legacy were cultivated.

Pastel drawings by Daniel Toole