Frank Lloyd Wright
What do you think of when you hear the name Frank Lloyd Wright?
He was born on June 8, 1867, in Richland Center, Wisconsin. At the young age of 17, he was enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in 1884.
Without question, F. L. Wright wanted to study architecture. Back then, however, The University of Wisconsin didn't offer any courses in his field of choice, nor were there any architecture schools.
So instead, Wright took some classes in civil engineering and also took advantage of the given opportunity to work part time on a construction project at the university he attended. This was just the beginning of what would become a well known architecture legend.
A few years later in 1893, he finished school and moved to Chicago, where he then became a designer for the firm, Adler and Sullivan.
It was Louis Sullivan, from the Adler and Sullivan firm who really influenced Frank Lloyd Wright to pursue the field of modern architecture.
Decades following his death, this famous modern architecture inventor's legacy lives on through his architecture school and these unique homes that he left behind when he died here in Phoenix in 1959.
Arizona was Wright's second home in the winter and where he also left his tracks of himself as the modern architecture inventor as we know him as. He built Taliesin West in the 1930s, in Scottsdale, Arizona. If you have ever seen Taliesin West, it really is something very special to just look at.
The Taliesin West structure certainly takes advantage of Arizona's non-stop sunshine, as it has these translucent ceilings letting in Scottsdale, Arizona's natural light. To compliment it, it has a redwood roof that is so beautiful!
Unfortunately, though, most of Taliesin's income is a result from the tours that if offers.
And, the architecture school has never really prospered from all accounts. The school reportedly charges a mere $13 thousand dollars a year for a students tuition, which also includes room and board, which really is very inexpensive by today's standard tuition rates!
The current dean, though, is optimistic about the school's future and hopes the Frank Lloyd Wright legend lives on as one of the greatest figures in 20th century architecture.
He is known as a famous American architect really and pioneered the style of what modern homes should look like.
Wright created his structures that really blended in with its natural surroundings. Wright loved the nature and made it a part of the homes and buildings that he built. He was also famous for using natural colors and textures to compliment his creations. He set himself apart from the rest by his very unique designs, which he will never be forgotten for.
His interiors emphasize such a sense of spaciousness, that he is also known to convey. You can see this in his plans as each room somehow magically flows together into the next room.
I have personally had the opportunity to view one of Wright's designed homes. My late childhood friend had one of Wright's homes in Colorado, and let me tell you, it was such a beautiful home. It was most definitely modern and very spacious, as Wright's homes are.
I remember that there were also many BIG windows that made it feel as if you were outside; it really did. It was the last house up the almost mile-and-a-half road that had the best view, overlooking Pikes Peak.
What I really found amazing while researching this famous architect inventor, was the fact that he not only engineered the design of the famous Imperial Hotel in Tokyo that he designed and completed in 1922, but he constructed it to be able to survive earthquakes.
Wright used a special kind of construction, known as cantilever construction, that rested on soft mud. The building was put to the test the following year in a very powerful earthquake. And not surprising, it didn't suffer any damage!
A very famous building that Wright is well known for is the Larkin Building which he designed in 1904. This building is famous as it was the first office building to use metal furniture, double-glass windows, air conditioning and all-glass doors.
Besides his many building principles and accomplishments, he also loved to teach and write, which he spent a lot of time at, as well.
Frank Lloyd Wright Greatest Accomplishments
Both Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin, are considered two of his greatest architectural accomplishments.
Wright actually utilized both of these locations for himself, but also for his studio and for his architectural school, too.
You can visit both of these Wright designs as a 1-Day activity which will definitely give you a great feel or sense for what he had in mind when he designed these and all of his other masterpiece homes or buildings.
Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the international headquarters for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and also the site location for the Frank Lloyd Wright Archives.
Hours and Contact Information for Taliesin West
Open Daily: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
(480) 860-2700 extension 494 or 495
12621 Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
Scottsdale, AZ 85261
**Please note that they are closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Some tours are also canceled on days when it is heavily raining. (That will not happen frequently, if you know Arizona weather at all....)
This is also the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture during the winter months.
You can find additional information on the
life of Frank Lloyd Wright,
here.
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