Frank Llyod Wright: Design Philosophy of His Notable Projects
If you’re a student in the architecture field, there’s no way you wouldn’t recognize this name- Frank Lloyd Wright. His works were questioned and related.
Wright’s designs were ahead of their time and were often met with resistance from clients and the public. Despite this, his works are now considered some of the iconic examples of modern architecture.
Design Principles Followed By Wright
1. Organic Architecture
Wright believed that architecture should be integrated into the natural environment and not imposed upon it.
He sought to create buildings that harmonized with the surrounding landscape
His designs were in tune with the natural elements around, as well as their materials and texture
The Falling Water, Pennsylvania
Cascading water fall under the Falling Waters Residence by Frank Lloyd Wright
Integration Of Natural Elements
The house is built partly over a waterfall in the area while letting it pass through the house
No metal frames were used in the opening where the glass meets the stone. Instead, recesses were made in the stone
The sound of the waterfall is encouraged within the interior spaces
The colors of the interior were limited to two colors to blend into the natural environment
2. Unity of Space
Wright sought to create a unified aesthetic where the lines between the interior and exterior spaces of his buildings were blurred.
Johnson Wax Building, Wisconsin
FL Wright’s cohesive planning and meaningful zoning in the Johnson Wax Building Wisconsin
Design Elements Incorporated
The building is known for its innovative use of space and zoning. The horizontality of the structures helps separate the context of the buildings as the user passes through.
The building’s central atrium and cylindrical towers are distinctive features, which create a space which seamlessly blends the outside with the interior of the building
3. Function and Form
Wright believed that form should follow function and that the design of a building should be driven by its intended use.
Guggenheim Museum, New York
Ramp is embraced as a hierarchical form in the Guggenheim Museum by FL Wright
Design Elements Incorporated
The museum is known for its distinctive spiral design and its innovative use of spaces
The museum’s curved ramps were inspired by the Nautilus shell. It also acts as a supporting element for the columns
Open floor plans were widely appreciated for their social and interactive purposes
Large skylights revolutionized the way museums were designed and have been widely imitated by other museums later
4. Use of Natural Materials
Wright was known for his use of natural materials. Some of the important ones are:
stone
wood
glass
He believed that these materials helped to create a connection between the building and the natural environment.
Taliesin West, Arizona
local desert stone was used in the construction of Taliesin West in Arizona by Frank Lloyd Wright
Integration Of Natural Elements
The building used natural materials local to the area like the available desert stone in the site. Natural redwood timber was used for the roof.
The use of natural light also played a major part in the design.
The walls and ceiling were designed in such a way as to remove unwanted sun rays while letting in a horizontal line
Wright constantly made changes as per the need to keep up with the changing environment
5. Simplicity
Wright’s designs were characterized by their simplicity and clean lines, without much ornamentation.
The Robie House, Illinois
The Robie House is considered a masterpiece of the Prairie School style of architecture
Design Elements Incorporated
The building is known for its horizontal and clean lines
The building has continuous lines of art glass windows and projecting roof eaves
6. Horizontal Lines
Wright sought to create buildings that were low to the ground and had a strong connection to the Earth. This was a departure from the vertical lines that characterized many buildings of the time.
Unity Temple, Illinois
Unity Temple by FL Wright is one of the first buildings to be made of concrete
Design Elements Incorporated
The building is known for its simple, clean lines and its innovative use of materials
The use of geometric figures and shapes was prominent
Stained glass was used widely which encouraged natural light into the building
Frank Lloyd Wright was an innovative and influential architect who left a lasting impact on the field of architecture and beyond. His designs are considered iconic and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of architects.
