Kohn Hall was designed in 1994 by Michael Graves, 2000 recipient of the American Institute of Architects' highest honor - the Gold Medal. It is named for the institute's founding director and Nobel Laureate, Walter Kohn, and is the distinctive home of the KITP at UCSB. This beautiful facility represents excellence in design that uniquely nurtures the creative and collaborative exchange of ideas by the many participants and visitors to the institute's innovative programs and conferences.

The sustained success and leadership of the Institute, and the popularity of its programs created an urgent need for additional space to accommodate scientists. For example of the almost 400 scientists who applied to participate in the KITP's 2001 nanoscience and quantum information programs, only 40% and 23% respectively could be accommodated. Thus the institute was routinely turning away between 60-75% of the best scientists in the world, those who could make significant contributions to its innovative and interdisciplinary programs.

The new wing [full story] was dedicated October 7, 2004 to mark the opening of the landmark "Future of Physics" Conference.