One of America’s most famous and most influential architects of the 20th century is widely recognized as Frank Lloyd Wright. Over the course of more than 90 years, Wright lived and perfected his craft, for which he would become known for all across the globe. During his lifetime some rejected his unique style, but today he is known as one of the most influential and unique architects of American history.
The Childhood of Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lincoln Wright was born to William Cary Wright and Anna Lloyd-Jones in Wisconsin in 1867. Upon the divorce of his parents, Wright would change his name to Frank Lloyd Wright. Eventually he and his family would relocate to Madison, Wisconsin. He would attend Madison High School, but would never graduate.
Developing Frank Lloyd Wright’s Architectural Style
Upon abandoning high school, Wright went to work for the Dean of the Engineering department at the University of Wisconsin. Previously, Wright had discovered a love for architecture during his teen years while working on his Uncle’s farm. He would chase this dream and spend some time at the University, studying engineering. In 1887, he relocated to Chicago, Illinois.
In Chicago, Wright would be given the opportunity to draft his first building, the Unity Chapel. Within a year, he would work directly under local famed architect, Louis Sullivan. Louis Sullivan would be the one to teach Wright that “form follows function.” Wright would later readapt this philosophy as “form and function are one.”
Early Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright became known in and around Chicago for his unique take on architecture. His designs were the beginning of decades of true American architecture. He believed that architecture should be based on American needs and function, rather than on old European traditions.
During his early years as an architect, Wright developed his own unique style. The homes he built often lacked attics and basements. He exhibited a love for low-pitched roofs and horizontal lines that blended architecture with the environment. He stayed to the idea that “form and function are one.”
Famous Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture
During his seventy years as an architect, Frank Lloyd Wright would become famous all across the globe. He was commissioned to design buildings from Chicago to New York, to Tokyo, Japan and beyond.
He is known for buildings like the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. People marvel at Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, which is considered to be one of the finest examples of Wright’s Organic style of architecture.
He has created over 1,000 unique buildings and is well known for four of his major architectural styles: usonian, hemicycle, organic and prairie. Today, several homes such as the Meyer May Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, have been converted into museums that showcase some of his greatest work. His ideas about the environment and architecture allowed for a truly unique style of buildings that are still loved, even today.
Additional References:
Secrest, Meryle. 1998. Frank Lloyd Wright: a biography. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
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