Frank Lloyd Wright Portrait

Frank Lloyd Wright was a renowned American architect, interior designer, and educator who was one of the most influential figures in the field of architecture. His work has left an unforgettable mark on the design world, as his innovative ideas continue to influence architects and designers today. As someone fascinated by architecture and design, I have always admired Frank Lloyd Wright for several reasons.

First and foremost, I admire Frank Lloyd Wright for his ability to create timeless, functional, and beautiful designs. His architecture was not only visually unique, but it was also designed to be practical and livable. He believed that architecture should be in harmony with the environment, and he often used natural materials such as stone, wood, and water in his designs. His buildings were designed to be integrated into the landscape, and he believed they should be seen as part of the natural world rather than separate from it. One of my favorite of Wright’s designs, “Fallingwater,” encompasses this idea as it was built over a thirty-foot waterfall in Bear Run, Pennsylvania, in 1937 and can be seen below in the figure.

Fallingwater

Another reason why I admire Frank Lloyd Wright’s commitment to innovation and experimentation is he always wanted more from the status quo as he constantly pushed the boundaries of what was possible in architecture and design. He was a pioneer in using new materials and construction techniques, and he was always looking for new ways to create functional and beautiful buildings. Some of my favorite materials used by Wright were precast concrete blocks, glass bricks, and Pyrex Glass, as seen below.

Use of Pyrex Tubes

In addition to his work as an architect, I also admire Frank Lloyd Wright for his dedication to teaching and mentoring the next generation of designers. He was a prolific writer and lecturer and believed it was his responsibility to share his knowledge and experience with others. Many of his students became influential architects and designers in their own right, and his teachings inspire young designers like me today.

FLW teaching at his own School of Architecture at Taliesin

Finally, I admire Frank Lloyd Wright’s commitment to social and environmental causes. He believed that architecture could shape society, and he was passionate about using his work to create a better world. He was a strong advocate for sustainable design and was a vocal critic of urban sprawl and suburban development. He believed architecture should be used to promote social justice and equality, and he supported the civil rights movement and other progressive causes.

Keland House

In conclusion, Frank Lloyd Wright was a visionary architect and designer whose impact on architecture cannot be exaggerated. His commitment to innovation, sustainability, and social justice inspires designers and architects today. I admire his work for its timeless beauty and practicality, and I am inspired by his dedication to creating a better world through design.

4 Comments. Leave new

  • Fallingwater is one of the coolest designs ever and one of the first of his works I ever saw. I heavily admire the motivation of his architecture being in harmony with nature and I think its very cool the way he makes the architecture compliment the nature it sits upon. Very well done Hayden!

    Reply
    • Hayden Moll
      March 7, 2023 7:02 pm

      Thanks for the comment, Jon! Fallingwater is one of my favorite pieces, too, since it feels like it could be one with nature. An interesting thing I saw recently is that it has been subject to some erosion and damage during heavy rains and floods. It’s also interesting to see how the house has changed since it was built in 1937 due to nature.

      Reply
  • George Davis
    March 1, 2023 10:01 pm

    I didn’t know he was such a supporter of social and environmental concerns, thats great to know. I love his flat roofed designs like falling water but I’m curious what your reaction is to my favorite Wright quote. The family living in falling water is eating dinner and its raining outside. Drops of water start leaking from the ceiling and onto a plate, so the family calls Wright and asks what to do. Allegedly he remarks, “move the table.”

    Reply
    • Hayden Moll
      March 7, 2023 7:24 pm

      Thanks for the comment, George! I didn’t know he was such a supporter either until I looked into his bio and found his foundation and architecture school. I’ve never heard that story before, but it seems right up his alley, as he was known to be a bit of a narcissist.

      Reply

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