The Iconic Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright, 1954 (Photo:Library of Congress) / Taliesin West, 1937.

Scottsdale, AZ (Photo:Library of Congress).

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Frank Lloyd Wright, 1954 (Photo:Library of Congress) / Taliesin West, 1937. Scottsdale, AZ (Photo:Library of Congress). This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please readour disclosurefor more info.

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With a career spanning over 70 years, American architectFrank Lloyd Wrightchanged the course of American architecture.

Robie House, 1909. Chicago, IL (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Marek Lipka-Kadaj/Shutterstock)

During his career, he designed more than 1,000 structures, with about 650 actually being constructed.

As an architect, interior designer, writer, and educator, he was incredibly prolific.

Just what is it about Frank Lloyd Wrights architecture that has left such a legacy?

Unity Temple, 1905-1908. Oak Park, IL (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Nagel Photography/Shutterstock)

Robie House, 1909.

Unity Temple, 1905-1908.

Low-pitched roofs, overhanging eaves, and an open floor plan are hallmarks of the style.

Ennis House, 1924. Los Feliz, CA. (Photo: Mike Dilon viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0)

Both of these buildings remain some of Frank Lloyd Wright’smost famous pieces of architecture.

Ennis House, 1924.

Los Feliz, CA.

Interior, Rosenbaum House, 1940. Florence, AL. (Photo:Library of Congress)

The linear style made use of precast concrete blocks and was called the textile style.

This work unfolded over the 1920s, primarily in a series of houses in California.

TheEnnis Housein Los Feliz, which is sometimes calledMayan Revival architecture, exemplifies Wrights work in this style.

Fallingwater, 1936-1939. Mill Run, PA. (Photo: Carole B. Highsmith viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Interior, Rosenbaum House, 1940.

These homes were typically one story, without attics, basements, or much storage.

Organic Architecture

Fallingwater, 1936-1939.

Interior, Robie House. (Photo:Library of Congress)

Fallingwaterin Mill Run, Pennsylvania, is perhaps Wrights most famous example of organic architecture.

No house should ever be on a hill or on anything.

It should be of the hill.

Prairie-style glass from Frank Lloyd Wright’s house in Oak Park. (Photo:The Chicago Files)

Hill and house should live together each the happier for the other.

Interior Design and Decorative Arts

Interior, Robie House.

Prairie-style glass from Frank Lloyd Wright’s house in Oak Park.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, completed 1959. New York City, NY. (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Tinnaporn Sathapornnanont/Shutterstock)

(Photo:The Chicago Files)

He is perhaps best known for his work in leaded stained glass.

The Guggenheim

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, completed 1959.

New York City, NY.

Photo:Daniel Daniel Hooker(CC BY-NC 2.0)

He worked for 16 years, from 1943 to 1959, on the building.

Using principles of organic architecture, the design is based on the spiral of a seashell.

In fact, the architecture was initially faced with criticism.