Frank Lloyd Wright
I would like to talk a little bit about architecture and one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. Architecture is defined as the art and science of designing and erecting buildings. Architecture and design is very much an art, and the architect Frank Lloyd Wright was very much influenced by art. In most of his buildings he also designed the interior everything from the furniture to the stained glass. Wright was born in 1867 and did not actually get recognized as an influential architect until early in the 20th century.
Wright promoted Organic architecture, which is stated as “More than green, beyond individual, Organic Architecture describes a way of thinking about design that transcends the common, everyday buildings around us. (organicarchitect.com) He was also a leader of the prairie school movement which is “usually marked by horizontal lines, flat or hipped roofs with broad overhanging eaves, windows grouped in horizontal bands, integration with the landscape, solid construction, craftsmanship, and discipline in the use of ornament. Horizontal lines were thought to evoke and relate to the native prairie landscape.” (wikipedia.com) He also developed the concept the usonian home which is Wrights vision of the landscape of the United States and how all architecture, and cities should be created. Wright designed approximately 50 middle income family usonian structures. Wright designed over 1,000 projects that resulted in over 500 completed projects. Frank Lloyd Wright was finally recognized in 1991 by the American Architect Institute as the greatest American architect of all time.
The following are a few images of some of his projects and a little bit about each project.
The Falling Water house was designed in 1934 for Edgar J. Kauffman an American business man. The House was built partially on a water fall, and is considered to be the best work of Wrights. In 1996 it was listed as a National Historic Landmark.
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opened its doors in October of 1959, and is one of the best know museums in New York, and it was also designed by Wright. What makes this museum so interesting is most of the walls are rounded with very few being flat. This makes it very difficult to hang artwork. It is also very little natural light which means a lot of artificial light must be used.
