Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (west side zoom)

Oak Park Il Walter Gale House4

William H. Winslow House Front Facade

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Nathan G. Moore house (1895), Oak Park, IL, rear

Frank LLoyd Wright Studio Chicago Frontage

Frank Lloyd Wright (June 8, 1867 – April 9, 1959) was an American architect, interior designer, writer, and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures over a creative period of 70 years. Wright believed in designing structures that were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture. This philosophy was best exemplified by his design for the Fallingwater house (1935), which has been called "the best all-time work of American architecture."

Wright was a leader of the Prairie School movement of architecture and developed the concept of the Usonian home in Broadacre City, his unique vision for urban planning in the United States. His work includes original and innovative examples of many different building types, including offices, churches, schools, skyscrapers, hotels, and museums. Wright also designed many of the interior elements of his buildings, such as the furniture and stained glass.

Wright wrote 20 books and many articles and was a popular lecturer in the United States and in Europe. His colorful personal life often made headlines, most notably for the 1914 fire and murders at his Taliesin estate. Wright was recognized in 1991 by the American Institute of Architects as "the greatest American architect of all time."

Early life and education

Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, USA, to William Carey Wright, a preacher and musician, and Anna Lloyd Jones, a teacher. Wright attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison for a few semesters but left without taking a degree. He moved to Chicago in 1887 and was hired as a draftsman by architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee. Soon after, Wright joined the firm of Adler & Sullivan, working directly under Louis Sullivan, whom Wright referred to as "Lieber Meister" (dear master).

Career

Wright's early work was as part of the Chicago School of architecture, which was marked by the use of steel-frame buildings with masonry cladding. However, Wright soon developed his unique style, emphasizing horizontal lines which he believed contributed to the democratic character of the American landscape. This was evident in his Prairie School homes, which featured low-pitched roofs, overhanging eaves, a central chimney, and open floor plans.

In 1932, Wright and his wife, Olgivanna, founded the Taliesin Fellowship, a community of apprentices who lived and worked with Wright on his projects and on the maintenance of the Taliesin estate. This led to the establishment of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, which remains active as the School of Architecture at Taliesin.

Wright's later years were marked by iconic projects such as the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, which was completed just before his death in 1959. His designs in this period showed a mastery of materials, particularly concrete, and his work continued to push the boundaries of architecture and design.

Philosophy

Wright's philosophy of organic architecture was an extension of the teachings of his mentor, Louis Sullivan, whose maxim "form follows function" Wright evolved into "form and function are one." He sought to create architectural designs that were not only aesthetically pleasing but also intimately connected to their environments. Wright's designs often incorporated elements of the natural surroundings, using materials that were reflective of the location and designing structures to complement the landscape.

Legacy

Frank Lloyd Wright's legacy is preserved through the work of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the preservation of many of his homes and buildings as historic landmarks. His influence on architecture and design is seen not only in the United States but around the world. Wright's concepts of organic architecture and the Usonian home continue to influence architects and designers in the 21st century.