Frank Lloyd Wright Profile

Frank Lloyd Wright (born June 8, 1867, in Richland Center, Wisconsin, USA – died April 9, 1959, in Phoenix, Arizona) was an American architect, designer, writer, and educator who is considered one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. Wright pioneered the Prairie School movement of architecture and is best known for his philosophy of "organic architecture," which emphasized harmony between human habitation and the natural environment. His work revolutionized modern architecture with its focus on open floor plans, innovative use of materials, and integration with nature.

Early Life and Education

Wright was born to William Cary Wright, a preacher and musician, and Anna Lloyd Jones, a teacher whose family’s strong Welsh heritage deeply influenced Wright. His mother believed that he would become an architect, and she instilled in him a love of art and nature from a young age.

Wright briefly attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, studying civil engineering rather than architecture, but he left in 1887 without completing his degree. He moved to Chicago, a booming city for architecture at the time, where he began working for prominent architects including Joseph Lyman Silsbee and later the famous firm Adler & Sullivan. Wright became a chief assistant to Louis Sullivan, whom he considered his greatest mentor. Sullivan’s philosophy of "form follows function" had a lasting impact on Wright.

Prairie School and Organic Architecture

In 1893, Wright left Sullivan’s firm to establish his own practice in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. It was here that Wright developed his distinctive Prairie School style, characterized by horizontal lines, flat or hipped roofs with broad eaves, and open interior spaces. These homes were designed to reflect the flat, expansive landscape of the Midwest, and Wright sought to create buildings that were in harmony with their environment.

Some key features of the Prairie School and organic architecture include:


Integration with Nature: Wright believed that architecture should complement the natural surroundings. He used natural materials like wood and stone and incorporated large windows to bring in natural light and provide views of the landscape.

Open Floor Plans: Wright introduced the idea of flowing, open spaces within homes, moving away from the box-like rooms typical of Victorian architecture.

Custom Furniture: Wright often designed custom furniture and fixtures for his buildings, ensuring that every element contributed to a cohesive aesthetic.

Notable Works

Robie House (1909, Chicago): Considered one of the finest examples of the Prairie School style, the Frederick C. Robie House is noted for its strong horizontal lines, cantilevered rooflines, and open floor plan. It represents Wright's idea of the modern American home, built in harmony with its surroundings.

Fallingwater (1935, Pennsylvania): Perhaps Wright’s most famous work, Fallingwater is a house built directly over a waterfall in rural Pennsylvania. The building is seamlessly integrated into the rocky landscape, with terraces that extend outward like natural rock formations. Fallingwater is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in modern architecture.

Taliesin (1911, Wisconsin): Wright’s personal home and studio, Taliesin, was a laboratory for his architectural ideas. The estate evolved over time, with multiple iterations due to fires. Taliesin was also the site of personal tragedy, including a notorious 1914 fire in which a servant murdered Wright’s lover and several others.

Taliesin West (1937, Arizona): Wright’s winter home and studio, located in the Arizona desert, Taliesin West was constructed with materials from the surrounding desert, embodying Wright’s principles of organic architecture. It became the headquarters of his architecture school, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture.

Guggenheim Museum (1959, New York City): One of Wright’s final and most iconic works, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City features a spiraling, cylindrical design that defies traditional museum architecture. The museum’s unique layout allows visitors to view art by following a continuous spiral ramp. It opened shortly after Wright’s death and remains one of his most visited works.

Architectural Philosophy and Legacy

Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture philosophy was rooted in the idea that buildings should grow naturally from their environments and reflect the individual needs of their occupants. He sought to create spaces that were both functional and aesthetically beautiful, emphasizing simplicity, harmony, and the use of natural materials.

Wright was also an advocate of Usonian architecture, a term he coined for his vision of affordable, efficient housing for middle-class Americans. These homes were designed with minimalistic features and were smaller than his earlier works, focusing on simplicity, economy, and open plans.

His influence extended beyond individual buildings; he had a profound impact on urban planning. Wright advocated for decentralization, proposing broad, low-density communities where residents could live in harmony with nature. This idea culminated in his Broadacre City concept, a visionary (though never realized) plan for a utopian, decentralized society.

Personal Life

Wright’s personal life was often tumultuous. He married three times and had seven children. His first wife, Catherine Tobin, and he had six children, but their marriage ended after Wright began a relationship with Mamah Borthwick Cheney, the wife of one of his clients. Tragedy struck in 1914 when a disgruntled servant set fire to Taliesin and murdered Mamah Borthwick and several others.

Wright's later years saw personal and professional revitalization. He married Olga Ivanovna Lazovich Hinzenburg in 1928, with whom he remained until his death. She became a key figure in helping manage his legacy and the Taliesin Fellowship, an apprentice program for aspiring architects.

Awards and Recognition

Wright's contributions to architecture have been recognized worldwide. He received numerous honors throughout his career, including the Royal Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1941. In 1991, the American Institute of Architects posthumously recognized him as "the greatest American architect of all time."

In 2019, eight of Wright’s buildings, including Fallingwater, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Robie House, were designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the collective title "The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright."

Legacy

Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence on modern architecture is immeasurable. His work reshaped the way architects approach design, emphasizing the integration of structures with their natural surroundings and the importance of creating functional yet beautiful spaces. His designs have inspired countless architects, and his legacy continues through the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the architecture programs that bear his name.

Wright’s work, particularly his vision of organic architecture, remains a cornerstone of architectural education and practice, ensuring that his ideas will influence generations of architects to come.