Frank Lloyd Wright The Art And Craft Of The Machine
Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect, interior designer, writer, and educator, was a pioneer in the field of modern architecture. He was born in 1867 in Richland Center, Wisconsin, and began his career in architecture in Chicago in 1887. Wright's work was characterized by his belief in the integration of the natural environment with the built environment, and his use of innovative construction techniques and materials.
Early Life
Wright was born into a family of musicians and ministers. His mother, Anna Lloyd Jones, was a teacher and his father, William Carey Wright, was a musician and preacher. Wright was the eldest of three children and spent much of his early life moving around the country with his family.
Education
Wright's formal education was limited, as he dropped out of high school in his second year. He attended the University of Wisconsin for a short time but did not graduate. However, he continued to educate himself throughout his life, reading extensively and studying the works of architects and designers from around the world.
Early Career
Wright began his career in architecture in Chicago, working for several firms before starting his own practice in 1893. His early work was heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized traditional craftsmanship and the use of natural materials.
Prairie Style
Wright's most famous work is his Prairie style, which he developed in the early 1900s. This style is characterized by low-pitched roofs, overhanging eaves, and horizontal lines, which were meant to evoke the flat plains of the American Midwest. Wright believed that architecture should be in harmony with its natural surroundings, and the Prairie style was designed to blend seamlessly with the landscape.
Taliesin
Taliesin is Wright's home and studio in Spring Green, Wisconsin. He designed and built the original structure in 1911, and it was destroyed by fire in 1914. Wright rebuilt Taliesin twice more, and it became a testing ground for many of his ideas about architecture and design.
Imperial Hotel
The Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, was one of Wright's most challenging projects. He was asked to design a building that could withstand earthquakes, which are common in Japan. Wright's solution was to use a system of cantilevered beams to support the structure, which made the building strong enough to survive several earthquakes.
Usonian Homes
Usonian homes were Wright's attempt to create affordable, middle-class housing. He believed that everyone should have access to well-designed homes, and he designed a series of Usonian homes that were simple, functional, and affordable.
Closing Thoughts
Frank Lloyd Wright's legacy continues to inspire architects and designers around the world. His innovative ideas about architecture, design, and the relationship between humans and the natural environment have had a profound impact on the field of architecture. Wright believed that architecture should be an expression of the human spirit, and his work reflects this belief.