Scribd
Upload
384 views2 pages

Synopsis of Chapter 3 of Modern Architecture: A Critical History

Frank Lloyd Wright developed the Prairie Style during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was influenced by architects like Louis Sullivan, who emphasized integrating industrial techniques with art. Wright formulated the Prairie Style at his home in Oak Park, Illinois in the 1890s, developing asymmetrical and horizontal designs that evoked the American Midwest. The style was defined by open floor plans, low-pitched roofs, and bands of casement windows. Wright's Prairie Style homes and works like The Larkin Building revolutionized domestic architecture in America and pursued his vision of a new, universal architecture for family, work, and worship.

Uploaded by

Kompal Sinha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
384 views2 pages

Synopsis of Chapter 3 of Modern Architecture: A Critical History

Frank Lloyd Wright developed the Prairie Style during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was influenced by architects like Louis Sullivan, who emphasized integrating industrial techniques with art. Wright formulated the Prairie Style at his home in Oak Park, Illinois in the 1890s, developing asymmetrical and horizontal designs that evoked the American Midwest. The style was defined by open floor plans, low-pitched roofs, and bands of casement windows. Wright's Prairie Style homes and works like The Larkin Building revolutionized domestic architecture in America and pursued his vision of a new, universal architecture for family, work, and worship.

Uploaded by

Kompal Sinha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

MODERN ARCHITECTURE – A CRITICAL HISTORY

- Kenneth Frampton

Chapter 3 - Frank Lloyd Wright and the Myth of the Prairie

In this chapter, the author undertakes the analysis of a defining period of Frank Llyod Wright’s early
career. The author tries to convey the major developments that took place in Wright’s career during
late 19th and early 20th centuries. He gives a critical analysis of the styles and designs developed by
one of the most important architects of the 20th century, the influences and how he revolutionized the
“domestic architecture” of America. Wright forged an alternative version of modern architecture
which was perpetually popular, that, it went on to change the face of architecture in the world. His
consideration of the suburban house led to a personal philosophy which influenced variety of styles.
The styles imbued the American setting in the mid-to-late 20th century, changing concepts and ideas
of a domestic environment.
The chapter commences with an overview of what all factors had influences on him including the
architects who went on inspire him even in the later stages of his career. F.L. Wright spent his
decisive years in early 1890s with Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan. This collaboration helped him
develop his striking vision of “transformation of industrial technique through art” that inspired his
career. The author says that “Like his masters, he, oscillated between the authority of Classical Order
and vitality of asymmetrical form.” The author here refers to the element of designs that inclined him
towards the symmetry and language of the classic styles and at the same time the askew structures
grabbed his eye.
The problem of monumentality was common with both Sullivan and Wright, with both wanting to
find a suitable solution to house the living. With Wright being in charge Sullivan’s domestic works
after 1890, he developed his own method – “Classical and stone if urban and Gothic and shingle if
rural”. He built his own house in 1889 in Chicago Suburb of Oak Park, which was still in the prairie
of the American mythology. It was at this house during the early 20th century that Wright, formulated
the Prairie style, a prominent and distinct perspective of the domestic architecture.
Author states that according to Sullivan and Wright, there was a need of something new for the young
and egalitarian culture of the upcoming world called ‘The New World’. This needed the architects to
break away from the Catholic and conventional ways and step into something artificial and unnatural.
This problem was then resolved in later years by Wright by evolving an appropriate format for his
Winslow House, built in Illinois. He provided two distinct aspects – the street or ‘urban’ façade which
was symmetrical in nature and the garden or ‘rural’ façade being asymmetrical. The planning strategy
of Frank Llyod Wright’s Prairie Style was irregular distortion to the rear of a normal façade to
accommodate the ingredients such as the service elements.
According to Frampton, “In later years, Wright appeared frantic to break through to a new style. His
public works were still part Italianate, part Richardsonian, while his domestic works were
characterised by the unique style which he was trying to unfold.” It took him two more years to
develop the style, resolve all influences and integrate all the elements that resulted in a domestic
setting, expressing his myth of the Prairie. The final advent of the Prairie Style was seen in his famous
lecture of 1901 – ‘The Art and Craft of the Machine’ in Chicago. The style finally crystallized in his
house plans designed for the Ladies Home Journal in 1900. The elements for the style were
established – open ground plan, low pitched roof and low bounding walls.

1
Later, Wright went on to design The Larkin Building and The Martin House for the owner of Larkin
Mail Order Co. in 1904 and The Unity Temple in 1906. In these works, he permeated his vision of a
new life with a universal sense for sacred, running from family to work and to the house of religious
assembly.
Author concludes by saying that such is Wright’s legacy that his works are still analysed in depth
today and shares that, like many other contemporaries, Wright’s goal was the achievement of a totally
new environment, embracing and affecting the whole society.

KOMPAL SINHA
3B
VASTUKALA ACADEMY

You might also like