Louis Kahn, one of the most influential architects of the 20^th century, not only maintained three families at the same time, they lived close to one another.

Found dead and broke in a Penn Station bathroom, Kahn was on a losing streak, with projects that seemed to bleed money, other than his Salk Institute development. His unique ability was to design modern buildings with the feel of ancient ruins.

This documentary provides in depth insight into Kahn’s career and his personal life. Directed by his son Nathaniel, who was born to a woman Kahn never married, the primary focus of the film is Nathaniel’s search to find out about a father he would only see from time to time. Concurrent with the personal story is the question of what influenced the eccentric and charming Kahn to become an architect who designed elegant buildings in far reaching sectors of the globe.

Most of us will probably look at Kahn’s personal life as a failure. Those that loved him seemed to definitely feel the glass was half-empty rather than half full. Director Nathaniel’s motivation to make the film is rooted in wanting to know about the father that spent very little time with he and his mother, who died at the age of 73 when Nathaniel was only 11. The making of the film allowed Nathaniel to learn about his father, but more importantly to learn about himself. Are you most impacted by what people do to you or how you decide to react to it? Is the ability to let go of the negative primarily determined by what you can find that you can hold onto that is positive?

Louis Kahn summed up his philosophy on life by saving, "What was has always been, what is has always been and what will be has always been." A man that understands that is motivated by something other than straight line thought.

On the surface, Kahn seemed like anything but a womanizer. Down deep he treated the women in his life with a certain level of respect yet they knew they were always secondary to his ego. One woman described herself as a "romantic fatalist," regarding why she was not more demanding.

Kahn’s genius seemed to be fueled by his artistic greatness, and when not jetting around the world, or sleeping on the floor between his workaholic spurts at the office, he appears to have sought balance in his relationships. His mistress, Nathaniel’s mother, was an architect, who made a significant work contribution but was never invited to key events, openings or parties, and the wife who kept quiet while undoubtedly knowing she was not the only love in his lusty life. Kahn really did believe he was the sun and that the universe revolved around him. He may have been right to some extent, but things caught up with him and the end was not pretty.

The exteriors of his buildings often had a retro look, while the interiors looked into the future. Kahn’s focus was on quality, not quantity.

The question is - what things do you consider to be most important for a quality life, your family and personal relationships, or earth’s physical trappings, made of bricks, mortar and steel? For Kahn, it clearly was the latter. What is it for you?