Who was Frank Lloyd Wright?
Frank Lloyd Wright has been called the greatest American architect of all time. His career began at the turn of the century and he worked at designing buildings his entire adult life, all the way until his death in 1959, at age 91.
During his career, he was known for his unique design style and continuously reinventing himself. Wright never tried to follow traditional or even conventional building styles, instead, he focused on the needs of the client, the location, and his own aesthetic sense to create unique structures that are still admired today.
He was the Steve Jobs of his day - an iconoclast and rebel who possessed an incredible sense of vision. Interesting fact: he was also considered the inspiration for the protagonist of Ayn Rand’s“The Fountainhead”, Howard Roark.
Have a unique vision
Wright’s designs were unlike anything that had come before.
He disdained historical styles and sought to take advantage of new materials and construction techniques.
He borrowed liberally from architecture across the globe, drawing inspiration from Japanese, German and even Mayan structures.
His vision was comprehensive, not only did he design the building, but often all the furniture and artwork.
Context if everything
Wright always paid attention to the surroundings of a building before designing it.
He wanted his designs to integrate both functionally and visually into the location.
Pay attention to the environment if you want to be effective. What works in one setting won’t always work in another!
Go where the opportunity is
Wright designed buildings across the country, while most were focused in Illinois and Wisconsin, he designed buildings from Arizona to California.
He went overseas and was not afraid to travel or even relocate for the right design project and to take advantage of opportunities.
Age is just a number
Wright's career spanned a full five decades. His most famous work, Fallingwater, was designed when he was in his mid sixties, astounding when you think about it.
The most productive time of his career came late in life and he received commissions right up to his 90th year.
Find a good mentor
Wright had the opportunity to begin his career for the famous Chicago Architect Louis Sullivan, who was renowned for designing The Great Chicago Exposition of 1893.
Through Sullivan, Wright learned the entire business of architecture, beyond just design. With the early training, he gained the knowledge that later allowed him to branch out on his own as early as he did in his career.
Don’t be afraid to experiment, change to stay fresh
Wright invented the “Prairie Style” of Architecture, still popular today. Instead of sticking with a style he was popular for, he branched out and refreshed himself by creating new styles, including Usonian, Textile-Block and Cantilevered concrete.
Not everything worked, but his mistakes pushed design into new areas than previously thought.
Thinking about work is working
The initial designs for Wright's most famous private residence “Fallingwater”, were drawn in a matter of hours. However, he spent weeks studying the site and visiting the location. Studying every boulder and tree in detail. By the time he sat down to draw it, he had already designed the building in his head.
If we are to create a unique or innovative solution to a problem, we need to spend time thinking about it!
You must also teach others
Wright created the Taliesin Fellowship, a group of apprentices and assistants that remained connected with him throughout their careers.
By teaching others, your ideas become more crystalized and both can draw inspiration from the other. To become a true master, one must also teach.
Frank Lloyd Wright was immensely talented and had a long career till late in life, proving that age is just a number and we should never underestimate the power of failure. His work led the way in new design and construction principles that are just as prevalent and popular today.
