Bhuuki
Carol Irving
Liberal Arts 200B
Dr. Craft
May 23, 2003
Influences of the Organic
The works of Frank Lloyd Wright made him the most famous American architect, and his buildings ushered in a new era of architecture. The breadth of his work, which spanned over seven decades, demanded attention. However, more than pure volume of production underscored his importance to the built environment, both past and present. The mention of Frank Lloyd Wright’s name most likely conjures up visions of “Prairie Houses”, his famous “Fallingwater”, or perhaps, the Guggenheim Museum. While these forms are all very different, they do posses a common denominator, the principle of organic architecture. An examination of Wright’s designs and writings will shed light on the architect’s amazing ability to synthesize an emerging modern world with the natural world through the principles of organic architecture. Before taking a closer look at the principles of organic architecture, the social climate of the late nineteenth century must be considered. During the late nineteenth century, transformations in the economy, technological advances and a reorientation of social ideals led to changes seen in American architecture. As Clifford Clark wrote in the American Family Home, 1800-1960: In the years following the Civil War, the expansion of railroads, the establishment of a national telegraph and telephone network, the systematization of the currency, the growth of newspapers and magazines, and the tremendous influx of immigrants, created national markets for products and substantially increased factory production (136).
The rural nature of America began to shift. The expanding railroads made travel more accessible and movement to urban areas easier. By 1900 most Americans felt the influences and affects of urban life, even if they still lived in a rural community. The expansion of industry and technological advances filtered into virtually every aspect of
Liberal Arts 200B
Dr. Craft
May 23, 2003
Influences of the Organic
The works of Frank Lloyd Wright made him the most famous American architect, and his buildings ushered in a new era of architecture. The breadth of his work, which spanned over seven decades, demanded attention. However, more than pure volume of production underscored his importance to the built environment, both past and present. The mention of Frank Lloyd Wright’s name most likely conjures up visions of “Prairie Houses”, his famous “Fallingwater”, or perhaps, the Guggenheim Museum. While these forms are all very different, they do posses a common denominator, the principle of organic architecture. An examination of Wright’s designs and writings will shed light on the architect’s amazing ability to synthesize an emerging modern world with the natural world through the principles of organic architecture. Before taking a closer look at the principles of organic architecture, the social climate of the late nineteenth century must be considered. During the late nineteenth century, transformations in the economy, technological advances and a reorientation of social ideals led to changes seen in American architecture. As Clifford Clark wrote in the American Family Home, 1800-1960: In the years following the Civil War, the expansion of railroads, the establishment of a national telegraph and telephone network, the systematization of the currency, the growth of newspapers and magazines, and the tremendous influx of immigrants, created national markets for products and substantially increased factory production (136).
The rural nature of America began to shift. The expanding railroads made travel more accessible and movement to urban areas easier. By 1900 most Americans felt the influences and affects of urban life, even if they still lived in a rural community. The expansion of industry and technological advances filtered into virtually every aspect of