Draft of Class Readings incorporated into FLW Report:
Hapticity and Time
Frank Lloyd Wright’s creations were inspired by his respect and interest in natural elements in the environment. In Juhani Pallasmaa’s reading, “Hapticity and Time” (1969), he discusses the importance of incorporating the human senses into designing architectural buildings so that they may stand the test of time, “Every significant experience of architecture is multi-sensory; qualities of matter, space and scale are measured by the eye, ear, nose, skin, tongue, skeleton and muscle” (Pallasmaa 1969). Wright achieves this by encouraging other architects to rely on the beauty of the natural world- to observe and apply what they see in the environment into their creative process. “I knew well that no house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It should be of the hill. Belonging to it. Hill and house should live together each the happier for the other” (Wright 1943).
The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses
There was no doubt that Wright did not design using his senses and observations with the environment. Wright, like many architects of his time wanted to create buildings that broke away from tradition. In Juhani Pallasmaa’s reading “The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses” (1969) he discusses architecture as a force that requires the attention of human measure to fulfil and stand the test of time, “Architecture, as with all art, is fundamentally confronted with questions of human existence in space and time, it expresses and relates man’s being in the world” (Pallasmaa 1969). Wright’s innovative ways of designing pioneered him to become the leader of the Prairie Style, in which involved buildings that blended well with nature instead of dominating it. Wright used his sense of vision as a strong element in incorporating spaces that are designed to be flexible and open, evoking the sense of unity with the natural outdoor environment.
Solomon Guggenheim Museum, 1959, New York City. Frank LLoyd Wright.
Draft of Abstract for Report:
Frank Lloyd Wright, known to be the Father of American Architecture, pushed boundaries and dismissed the Victorian-style of architecture that was so prominent in society at the time. He opted for an American culture in his architectural designs, with no European influences whatsoever, and aimed to design buildings that would not only be forever recognized as his, but also would stand the test of time.
Nature was a key element in his designing method. Wright was inspired by the organic elements found around his environment and believed that houses should be designed and built in unison with nature, without overpowering each other. He believed that buildings should serve mankind, and should honour the natural environment and landscape.
Wright’s colossal impact in the architectural community earned him a name in international countries, and was even commissioned to design prominent buildings that still stand today. His designs often evoked horizontal elements, and were never painted; Wright embraced the organic texture and finishes of natural materials.
His spectacular creations, such as the Johnson Wax Administration Building, The Guggenheim Museum in New York City, The Taliesin and Fallingwater are a few of his most prominent works. During his lifetime Wright designed over 1000 works, and to this day, 409 stands firm and strong. His buildings are works that have been dedicated to define the American experience, and have been designed in harmony with nature; these are spaces that allowed people to feel not only comfortable, but also inspired to inhabit.
This report will discuss his life as an important figure in architectural history, as well as showcase some of his most recognizable works that helped shaped the future of architecture.
Fallingwater, 1936, Mill Run, PA. Frank LLoyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Born in Richland Centre, Wisconsin on the 8th of June 1867 to parents William Cary Wright and Anna Lloyd-Jones, Frank Lloyd Wright began to foresee his dreams of becoming an architect during his early childhood years. Frank Lloyd Wright pursued his studies in civil engineering in university before his relocation to Chicago in 1887. It was during his career experience with Joseph Lyman Silsbee that he drafted his first building, known as the Unity Chapel.
A year later, Frank Lloyd Wright began working under the firm of Adler and Sullivan. Wright adapted the belief of American Architecture being based on American function, not European traditions from Louis Sullivan himself. During Wright’s work experience with Sullivan, he met and fell in love with Catherine Tobin whom he moved to Oak Park, Illinois with, to continue on and raise their five children.
Wright ended his business relationship with Sullivan in 1893, which prompted him to open his own firm in Chicago. Wright was obsessed with the idea of architecture being created from an organic way. He used natural materials and never painted his constructions. Wright was inspired by natural patterns and rhythms in the natural world around him. Utilizing low-pitched rooflines with deep overhangs, Wright merged horizontal and geometric homes with the organic surrounding of its environment. His architectural approach inspired the Prairie School movement, in which known architects practiced Midwestern architecture, also prompting Wright to become one of its chief practitioners. The Robie House in Chicago, Illinois as well as the Martin House in Buffalo, New York are two of the most notable creations from Wright during the early 1900s.
Wright moved to Germany after eighteen years of living Oak Park. It was there he met Mamah Borthwick Cheney whom he lived with then returned to live in Spring Green, Wisconsin in 1911. It was in the same year Wright constructed the Taliesin, which he also lived in until 1914. Tragedy struck as an insane servant murdered Cheney alone with other victims who also later set fire to the building. Wright however, proved the public wrong as he prompted to rebuild the Taliesin after the horrific disaster.
The following 20 years of Wright’s life saw his architectural technique spread in popularity in the United States and in Europe. It was only a matter of time where Wright was recognized overseas. In 1915, he was asked to commission into designing the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Wright maintained his organic technique into designing, and embraced the natural environment even in urban locations, which was evident in designing skyscrapers that mimicked trees. He was passionate in believing American architecture should be built in unison with shapes found in the environment much evident in his design of the Larkin Company Administration Building in Buffalo, New York (1903) and the Guggenheim Museum in New York City (1943), which resembles the shape of a shell or a snail.
Wright opened the Taliesin in 1932, as an architectural fellowship establishment where young students had the opportunity to work and learn under him. It was also during this time Wright met and married his third wife, Olivanna Milanoff who lived with him in the Taliesin. Five years later Wright and his family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona where he built the Taliesin West, also spending the last twenty years of his life.
Due to the comfortable all-year-round climate in Arizona, Wright was able to strongly integrate the outdoors into his indoor spaces. His designs included translucent ceilings, large open doors and high sloping roofs. He continued to expand on the two Taliesin buildings, always incorporating the natural elements of the environment into his creations.
It was on April 9, 1959 at the age of ninety-two that Wright passed away in his home in Phoenix, Arizona. He has lived a life predominantly surrounding architecture, and has become a highly recognized architect due to his innovative style and contemporary designs. He has designed 1,141 works, which include houses, offices, churches, schools, bridges, libraries, and museums among many building types. To this day, 409 of his completed works still stand firm and strong, ultimately being recognized as great pieces of architectural creativity.
"Buildings, like people, must first be sincere, must be true, and then withal as gracious and lovable as may be." - Frank Lloyd Wright
