Guest Post by Marysa Sheren
Frank Lloyd Wright’s birthday is June 8. On that day we remember a truly inspirational man whose legacy has been formative to the development of the field of architecture in America and around the globe.
Over the course of his lifetime Wright designed more than 400 built structures, the most celebrated of which include the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City as well as the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. He also designed the amazing Fallingwater House, pictured below.
Wright’s work is distinguished by his great attention to detail, his embrace of organic architecture and use of glass as a means of allowing interaction with natural elements.
Born in Richland Center, Wisconsin in 1867, Wright always demonstrated an uncanny affinity for building things, and spent much of his childhood playing with geometrically-shaped blocks. Unfortunately, though, his youth was marked by financial hardship and a dysfunctional family life. Forced to assume financial responsibility for his mother and sisters after his parents underwent a divorce, he was never able to graduate from high school.
Despite these challenges, Wright has been acknowledged to be one of the greatest if not the greatest American architect of all time.
Without a high school or college diploma, Wright moved to Chicago in search of work, which he found at an architecture firm. He would, of course, eventually go on to establish himself as a respected and prolific master of his craft. In 1995, he was honored with an honorary doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Inspiring Quotes by Frank Lloyd Wright:
“An idea is salvation by imagination.”
-Frank Lloyd Wright
“A great architect is not made by way of a brain nearly so much as he is made by way of a cultivated, enriched heart.”
-Frank Lloyd Wright
“Freedom is from within.”
-Frank Lloyd Wright
posted June 8, 2010 at 12:48 pm
One step into Falling Water or the little house on Lake Mystic in Wisconsin will erase all doubt that Frank was and is the greatest American architect. Being in a Wright building is simply transcendant.
posted June 8, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Correction:
The “little house on Lake Mystic” must certainly refer to the Seth Peterson Cottage on Mirror Lake, in Mirror Lake State Park just south of the famous Wisconsin Dells. The cottage is maintained by the Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy, and is open to the public for overnight rental, and is open for public tours the second Sunday of each month. See the attached website address for more information.
posted June 8, 2010 at 4:28 pm
I share this same birthday with Frank Lloyd Wright. The world’s praise for, and admiration of, Frank Lloyd Wright’s work will never cease. Frank Lloyd Wright actually attended the University Of Wisconsin studying civil engineering for a number of years but, like his master Louis Sullivan, he could not wait to get out into the working world to pursue his passion. He has, either by accident or intention, provided inspiration to generations of people (including Architects)to rebel and to create.
posted June 8, 2010 at 4:49 pm
I think its fascinating that one the highest regarded, master of his craft, was uneducated having neither a high school or college diploma. Look at the fantasic works of an artist – yet in today’s world his genius would’ve wasted away as no one will let you do anything unless you have 6 years and master plus numerous years of internship just to get licensed…then you can be taken seriously. Shameful.
posted June 8, 2010 at 5:48 pm
The only way Mr Wright could hope to become a licensed architect today is thru the NCARB Broadly Experienced Program. With a recent bump in price to $5,000, I don’t think he would have popped for it. The educators are without the checks and balances of a license acquired thru talent and hard work.
posted June 8, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Probably my first architectural memory is when my grandparents took me to Taliesen West on a southwestern tour when I was 14 or so. It was so….smooth. Open. Light-filled. Perfectly simple yet different from anything I’d ever seen.
I’ve also had the pleasure of visiting Richland Center, Wisconsin. So many cows! Lots of open sky, too, and I can imagine it inspiring Frank in a big way.
posted June 10, 2010 at 7:56 pm
I AM STILL PRACTICING @ 75 & ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE MY MASTERS AT IOWA STATE WHICH I LEFT ABOUT 1956 WITHIN A SEMESTER OF GRADUATION (IT WAS A NEW SCHOOL & SUCKED.) I TEACH YOUNG PERSONS ABOUT ARCHITECTURE & THE NATURAL APPROACH TO GREEN. I FEEL RESPONSIBLE TO COMPLETE MY DEGREE ONLY IN ORDER TO TELL YOUNGSTERS TO PURSUE A FORMAL EDUCATION. I AM BEGINNING TO REALIZE THAT MIGHT BE BAD ADVICE & SHOULD TELL THEM TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO FIND ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO REALIZE THEIR PASSION. AFTER ALL A LICENSE IS A WAY TO HAVE ATTORNEYS CHALLENGE YOUR WORK & SUE FOR YOUR WEALTH IF YOU HAVE ANY. HAVE PRACTICED FOR 50 YEARS & AM ENJOYING A REBIRTH BECAUSE I BECAME CERTIFIED IN THE NAHB NATIONAL GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS. ALL OF WRIGHT’S PRACTICES FOLLOWING THE 1930′S DEPRESSION ARE RELEVANT TODAY INCLUDING ELIMINATING THE BASEMENT ATTICS & OTHER UNNECESSARY SPACES. NO STUD WALLS; GRAVITY HEAT NATURAL VENTILATION ARE ALL THE REAL SOLUTION. I HAVE NO CO-OPERATION FROM IOWA STATE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND HAVE ASKED FOR MY TRANSCRIPTS. ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION & NCARB & AIA HAVE FAILED ARCHITECTS. JUST ASK THE 50% OF THE ARCHITECTS OF THE WORLD WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED. NCARB IS NOW BEING CHALLENGED FOR RAISING THEIR FEES WHILE HAVING THE PLUSHEST OFFICES IN THE INDUSTRY WITH THE HIGHEST EXPENSE ALLOWANCES. TALIESIN HAS BECOME A PAWN OF THE NCARB AND DESTROYED ALL THAT WRIGHT TRIED TO ACCOMJPLISH IN EDUCATION. PLEASE FOLLOW ME AS I BUILD MY NATURAL GREEN HOUSE OF THE FUTURE IN APPLETON WI TO BE USED AS A PRIVATE HOME–ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE & A TEACHING FACILITY. GOOGLE ME AT CURTISLBIGGARARCHITECT.COM
posted October 15, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Architecture for the soul… https://www.createspace.com/3602060
posted February 8, 2012 at 4:28 pm
I grew up always remembering a phrase, “The house with no doors.” I was a country boy and never liked being indoors. It was Fallingwater. Later as an adult I joined 55 mixed age people to go there. By the time we got back I had decided that I HAD to organize these for others. This June, for the 12th time, we will go again by chartered bus to “The house with no doors”. First, there will be a birthday party for him in downtown DC on the 8th, HIS day! Thanks for this wonderful post!