Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the well-known architects of the 20th century. He was also an influential and known person during his lifetime and not only in the United States of America. His architecture influences even the architecture of today. Few of his innovations are e.g. the living room, a carport and an open floor plan (Wikipedia.org 2007). One of the most famous houses on earth, the Kaufmann House, better known as “The Fallingwater”, was designed and built up by this brilliant architect. Frank Lloyd Wright developed a series of individual styles during his over seventy years of architectural career. He designed an astonishing count of buildings from chicken coops to museums, but houses are remaining his huge legacy. This is why I want to concentrate my work to his first individual style of house design: the Prairie Houses. But first of all, I want to give some introducing information about Frank Lloyd Wright.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Home and Studio in Oak Park
3. Prairie Houses
a. Charnley House
b. Winslow House
c. Heurtley House
d. Robie House
e. Comparison
4. Conclusion
5. References
Objectives and Topics
This coursework aims to analyze the evolution of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural design, specifically focusing on the development and characteristics of his Prairie House style. It explores how personal and professional influences shaped his early projects and led to the creation of an iconic, organic American architectural movement.
- Early life and professional influences of Frank Lloyd Wright
- Development of the Home and Studio in Oak Park
- Evolution of the Prairie House design style
- Analysis of representative projects: Charnley, Winslow, Heurtley, and Robie House
- Examination of the transition from Sullivanesque ornaments to organic architecture
Excerpt from the Book
THE PRAIRIE HOUSE
This is the first individual designing style of Frank Lloyd Wright. I use for the description four different houses. The first one is a “bootlegged house” (Manson 1979). Faced with suddenly mounting debts, caused of the new private structure, he decided to offer his services to friends and neighbours. He stretched out his nights and worked on weekends to earn more money by planning houses on his own. The first great monument of Frank Lloyd Wright was the House for James Charnley.
In 1891 this was one of the first modern buildings in Chicago. This house is signed of simplicity of plan and structure. The elements, like the long balcony, are hidden proves for the later coming Prairie House style. The Charnley House is a brick and stone palazzo with eloquent essays in wood inside. This modern house has also historical elements, e.g. a loggia in the centre of the house, that would be at home in Florence, adds a welcome void to the solidity of the walls. Manson (1979) mentioned that inside there is a lacy spindled screen of wood trim that raises high to add fluctuating light to the stairwell and also a Sullivanesque ornament outside.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides biographical background on Frank Lloyd Wright, covering his early education and initial steps into the architectural profession.
2. Home and Studio in Oak Park: Details the evolution of Wright’s residence and workspace, highlighting the design of his home and the subsequent addition of his office studio.
3. Prairie Houses: Explores the signature architectural style developed by Wright through case studies of key residential projects.
a. Charnley House: Analyzes the transition period featuring "bootlegged houses" that combined simplicity with initial experimental elements.
b. Winslow House: Examines the early independent commission that utilized Roman-brick and terra-cotta, marking a departure from Victorian styles.
c. Heurtley House: Describes the design approach focusing on personalized geometry and the seamless integration of principal rooms and nature.
d. Robie House: Discusses the most famous Prairie House, emphasizing its horizontal lines, innovative integrated garage, and connection to the machine age.
e. Comparison: Compares early versus late Prairie Houses, noting the evolution toward the "mass-in-space" concept and the removal of traditional supporting walls.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the legacy of the Prairie House style, Wright’s later career, and his fundamental belief in organic architecture.
5. References: Lists the academic literature and digital resources utilized for the research of the coursework.
Keywords
Frank Lloyd Wright, Prairie Houses, Oak Park, Architectural Development, Robie House, Winslow House, Organic Architecture, Modern Design, Chicago School, Louis Sullivan, Residential Architecture, Geometry, Horizontal Lines, Materials, Art-glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the early architectural career of Frank Lloyd Wright, with a specific concentration on the development of his signature "Prairie House" style.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
The document covers Wright's early life, his apprenticeship with Adler & Sullivan, the expansion of his Oak Park studio, and detailed analyses of four key residential projects.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The primary goal is to demonstrate how Wright transitioned from his early professional training to developing a uniquely "American" architectural style.
Which research methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a historical and descriptive method, relying on literature reviews and case study analyses of specific architectural landmarks.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the architectural evolution from "bootlegged" designs to fully realized Prairie Houses, detailing specific materials, structural layouts, and aesthetic elements used by Wright.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Frank Lloyd Wright, Prairie Houses, Organic Architecture, and Architectural Development.
How did the influence of Louis Sullivan affect Wright's early career?
Louis Sullivan served as a mentor and designer at the firm Adler & Sullivan. While Wright learned much from him, he eventually developed his own aesthetic and moved away from Sullivanesque ornamentation.
What makes the Robie House significant in this study?
The Robie House is highlighted as the pinnacle of the Prairie House style, noted for its horizontal lines, lack of internal supporting walls, and its contribution to a new conception of residential façades.
What role does the fireplace play in Wright's designs?
For Wright, the fireplace served as the central focal point of the home, representing the sanctity of the family and acting as an anchor for the interior layout.
- Quote paper
- Erdem Duymaz (Author), 2008, Frank Llyod Wright - The Prairie Houses, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/94645
