Famous Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of our favorite architects and inspired us (along with our dad!) to choose architecture as our profession. Here are some things that we like about Wright’s work, along with a few neat places you can go to experience Wright’s genius for yourself.
Wright Designs and Influence
Our familiarity with Wright’s work started with our dad, Tom Bleck, who was a big fan of Wright. Wright worked not only as an architect, but he also designed furnishings, taught others, and wrote about design. He attempted to exert control over the entire project, from the building foundation to stained glass windows and beyond. His purity and consistency of vision produced beautiful results, admired by architects worldwide. During his lifetime, Wright’s eccentric personality and rocky personal life sometimes interfered with his career and overshadowed his design genius.
When we were studying architecture at U of I, our professors lectured about the ideas that Wright brought to the US. Many of these ideas were derived from his architectural apprenticeship at Adler & Sullivan and his visits to Japan. He found real inspiration for his work in the natural environment and his work is widely associated with the term “organic architecture”. Over a period of more than 70 years, Wright designed over 1,000 projects including homes, churches, office buildings, hotels, museums, schools and more.
The Glore House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
On a professional level, we had the opportunity to work on The Glore House, one of Wright’s later homes. Located in Lake Forest, IL, the structure is situated on a beautiful wooded ravine. The original project was completed in 1953 using Usonian principles, employing brick, mahogany, concrete block, and glass. Due to cost considerations, several aspects of the project were not originally built but were later completed by subsequent owners.
Experience Wright Designs for Yourself
We’ve had the opportunity to visit most of Wright’s buildings in the US, from Falling Water, PA to the Marin County Civic Center in CA. Most recently, we took a very nice tour of Taliesin West, Wright’s home in Arizona. Each visit to a Wright building is more inspiring than the next.
You can experience Wright’s designs for yourself! Several organizations offer quality, in-depth tours by trained guides. Check them out and let us know what you think.
Frank Lloyd Wright Trust
The Trust engages, educates and inspires the public through interpretation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s design legacy and preservation of his original sites.
They offer programs, individual tours, and group tours of many Wright-designed structures in the Chicago area. Tours typically last one hour and include National Historic Landmarks such as Robie House in Hyde Park, The Rookery in Chicago’s Loop, and the Oak Park Historic District. Some of the tours include building interiors where you can experience Wright’s furniture and interior design. If you’re looking for an in-depth analysis and experience, consider the full-day tours led by expert guides. These Wright in the Region Day Trips give you guided access to Wright landmarks via bus transportation.
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
The Foundation preserves Taliesin and Taliesin West for future generations and enriches society through an understanding of Wright’s ideas, architecture, and design.
You can plan a visit to Wright’s winter home, Taliesin West, in the mountain desert of Scottsdale, AZ. Now the home of the Foundation and The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, Taliesin West was established by Wright himself in 1937. Wright and his apprentices designed and built most of the home – visitors can appreciate that Taliesin West is a very personal expression of the architect. Tours range from one to three hours in length and are offered year-round. New this year, the garden tour is offered Wednesdays in the Fall of 2016.
A little closer to home, Taliesin is Wright’s home located in the rolling green hills of Spring Green, WI. Managed by Taliesin Preservation, Inc., Taliesin is an 800-acre architectural campus that includes buildings from throughout Wright’s career. You can take advantage of tours, special events, shopping and more when you visit. Tour options include the hillside studio & theater, the house, and the estate tour, among others.
