The beginning of the twentieth century: mechanization perpetuated modernity. The world was moving toward machinery and industrialisation, prompting varied responses and feelings. Leading up to WWI, the world was churning with innovation in art. 

Modernity was internalized and responded to in western society in many different ways. So where does an architect from Chicago fit into all this? Frank Lloyd Wright was a significant contributor to modernism in architecture. Chicago actually notably influenced pre-war architecture on a global scale. (As a Chicagoan studying European art history, that statement felt very satisfying to write).  

Wright had an incredible career spanning seven decades before his death in 1959. His designs came to be known as “prairies houses” because of the way the houses blended with the Chicago landscape. Common features included one or two stories, an open floor plan, strong horizontal lines, a central core to the home often channeled through a chimney, a wide use of natural materials, and low pitched roofs with deep overhangs. Wright designed against the notion of the house as a box. He sought to create an indigenous American architecture that was functional – for the everyday man and woman, influenced by the natural world, and harmonious between the interior and the exterior. 

 Wright embraced modernity by taking advantage of industry through his use of mass-produced materials as well as moving away from European models that were popular at the time. Wright broke up the box-like designs of Victorian rooms, lowering heights, removing unnecessary partitions and opening up space so that it was free flowing. His embrace of technology allowed for comfort and spaciousness, nourishing the lives of those living in his designs without a huge economic burden. He balanced modern technology while still emphasizing craftsmanship that connected the human and natural world. 

One of Wright’s designs came up in my recent art history lecture, and it reminded me of two things: one is how amazing and organic his designs are, and two is how incredibly cool it is that one of his designs is a ten minute walk from my house, and many others within driving distance. I think the past few months I have had Covid lenses on – I am either warily inching away from people who are walking too close to me, or I’ve just been in a haze of pandemic life. Either way, I haven’t really been looking. Wright’s appearance in my lecture reminded me to stop and appreciate my surroundings. This pandemic has led to me taking more walks than ever, and from now on hopefully I will be more aware, appreciative, and curious on these walks. 

Wright alone built about 50 prairie houses from 1900-1910 and designed over a thousand architectural works of all types – 532 of which were realised. These are some of the most innovative and conceptual spaces in the US. If you want to check out some of his designs, I have a few suggestions! Fallingwater is a private home in Pennsylvania which is striking for the way it blends in harmony with the landscape as it sits on an actual waterfall. Wright designed the Guggenheim Museum which was met with criticism that the architecture would overshadow the art within the museum. Finally the Robie house is an example of the prairie style. Located in Chicago, it is noteworthy for its open interior, horizontal themes, and is considered one of Wright’s greatest expressions of his early style.