Frank Lloyd Wright Home And Studio
Frank Lloyd Wright built a home and studio in Illinois that he worked and lived in. When the home was originally designed and built it was very unique. Today, more designers and architects have been inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s genius and so the modern design that was so new in 1889 is recreated and reimagined all over the world. His brilliant thinking combined with his wanting to create something new and iconic has defined architecture and design for generations.As a self-proclaimed genius, Frank Lloyd Wright really was not really inspired by a certain decade or artist that came before him. He does admit to three influences that helped shape him and his career. He loved the geometric Froebel kindergarten toys he grew up with, his early mentor Louis Henri Sullivan, and Japanese woodblock prints. His fascination with the Japanese culture and their woodblock prints is what helped inspire his amazing designs as he became an avid collector of the prints throughout his life. Wright knew he wanted to be an architect and would work for Sullivan who would become his mentor for 6 years. He built his own home while learning all the ins and outs of architecture and eventually went out on his own. He opened his own office and for the next 16 years, he would hone his skills and create his first style which would be named the Prairie style.
His architecture and design style would evolve over the years. With the Prairie style being a big success he would change his style as the depression was in full swing and people needed more affordable homes. Wright came up with a new simplistic design that was more affordable and still enjoyable, it would be named his Usonian style. He would continue this style for the rest of his career as he would be able to design very diverse buildings this way. This home in Illinois was the first home he ever built. He purchased the land at age 22 and with a loan of $5000 from his employer and mentor he set out to design and build this dream home.
One of the artistic elements that are very visible in Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs is line. He uses a lot of straight lines in his Prairie and Usonian styles. The modern look of this house is attributed to the straight lines inside and on the outside of the home. When Wright would design a home he would bring the same elements that were on the outside into the home as well. He would keep the entire look cohesive and flowing. Wright would also design the furniture to match the whole aesthetic and vibe of the home as well. The many windows that he would design into the home would be lead-lined to continue the modern straight line look.
The second artistic element visible in homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is texture. His use of making the design seamlessly flow with its surroundings is a feat in and of itself. He uses the location of where the building will be built to his advantage as he streamlines the design with his organic approach to architecture. This home was built without doors on the inside to create an open floorplan and feel more like it is one with the outside as well. He remodeled this home many times over the years to accommodate his growing family. The original home was rather small and so in 1895 he enlarged the kitchen and dining room and added a playroom. In 1898 he added a studio to be his home office where he could work and design for years to come. In 1974 the home was given to the National Trust for Historic Preservation which began 13-year long preservation to bring it back to its original glory. In 1976 it was declared a National Historic Landmark. The modern-looking home was considered cutting edge for its time and fits perfectly into the landscape and does not stand out as an eyesore. Wright also loves to use concrete and reinforced steel as some of his basic building materials which also add another layer of texture to the overall look and feel of the building.
Frank Lloyd Wright is considered to be one of the most influential architects in America. His amazing eye for design and creating outside of the norm is what people love about him. He uses the environment where his buildings will be built to his advantage and creates amazing works of art out of simple building materials. His love of Japanese culture and design is seen in his art as he tries to make sure to integrate function with beauty.
Sources used:
https://flwright.org/visit/homeandstudio
https://franklloydwright.org/frank-lloyd-wright/
Dennis J Sporre, Reality Through The Arts
