Salk Institute for Biological Studies is a Modernist (Brutalist, poured concrete) institute in San Diego, California, and a filming location for Cathedrals of Culture (2014). Built in 1965, it was designed by Louis Kahn. It is owned by Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
Location: 10010 N Torrey Pines Road, San Diego, California, United States
Verified facts
- Designed by Louis Kahn
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-5530, SRC-5531 - Built in 1965
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-5530, SRC-5531 - Architectural style: Modernist (Brutalist, poured concrete)
confidence 80/100 · 5 independent sources · SRC-5530, SRC-5532, SRC-7986, SRC-7987, SRC-9503 - Located in La Jolla, San Diego, California
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-5530, SRC-5531 - Owned by Salk Institute for Biological Studies
confidence 90/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-5530, SRC-5531, SRC-7988, SRC-7989 - Historic designation: San Diego Historical Landmark (1991); American Institute of Architects Twenty-five Year Award
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-5530, SRC-5531, SRC-7990, SRC-5532 - Appeared in Cathedrals of Culture (movie, 2014)
confidence 70/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-9490, SRC-9491, SRC-9555
Evidence & sources
- SRC-10103 — Contact — Salk Institute for Biological Studies (official) (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5530 — Salk Institute for Biological Studies — Wikipedia (Tier 2, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5531 — Salk Institute — About / Visiting Salk (official) (Tier 1, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5532 — The Salk Institute: A Masterpiece of Brutalist Architecture — NJ in LA (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7986 — SOSBRUTALISM — Louis I. Kahn: Salk Institute (Tier 2, architecture-database; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7987 — Life of an Architect — The Salk Institute (Tier 3, architecture-blog; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7988 — Salk Institute for Biological Studies — InfluenceWatch (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7989 — The Salk Institute for Biological Studies — CB Insights (Tier 3, database; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7990 — About Salk Architecture – Salk Institute for Biological Studies (official) (Tier 1, web; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9490 — www.stirworld.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9491 — www.dfi.dk (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9503 — La Jolla — Brutalist Benchmarks: Inside the Salk Institute's Legacy (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9555 — Philadelphia Magazine — Robert Redford Directs Film Segment About Louis Kahn (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Plan Your Visit
Hours: Docent-led architecture tours Wed-Fri at 10:00am & 11:30am; pre-registration required. Closed weekends/holidays.
Admission: $25 per person (standard group tour)
Frequently asked questions
Where was Cathedrals of Culture filmed?
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, in San Diego, California, is a real-world filming location used for Cathedrals of Culture.
Can you visit Salk Institute for Biological Studies?
Yes — Salk Institute for Biological Studies is open to the public. Hours: Docent-led architecture tours Wed-Fri at 10:00am & 11:30am; pre-registration required. Closed weekends/holidays.. Admission: $25 per person (standard group tour).
Who designed Salk Institute for Biological Studies?
Salk Institute for Biological Studies was designed by Louis Kahn.
Where is Salk Institute for Biological Studies located?
Salk Institute for Biological Studies is located in San Diego, California.