Frank Lloyd Wright: Organic Architecture

Organic architecture is the term coined by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It is a philosophy of architecture aimed at designing structures in such a way that they appear as a part of natural habitat surrounding them. This philosophy was a trademark of Frank Wright designs and the sight of these buildings provided unspoken relief to the onlooker.

Frank Wright believed in the philosophy ‘form and function are one’. Hidden lake work belonging to Frank Wright organic architecture is a harmonious integration of a small lake and the house. The house looks as if it is the origin of the lake. His home and studio Taliesin was the epitome of organic architecture.

Frank Wright worked on the interiors also keeping in the mind the concepts of organic architecture. Use of limestone in chimney and piers resembled glacial drift. Frank Lloyd Wright made popular the concept of Usonian homes. These homes designed for middle income group families were without a garage and the concept of carport was introduced in these homes. These houses were small and use of native materials in the making popularized these houses. Concept of solar heating and design of windows to ensure reaching of natural light to these houses exemplified Frank Wright’s love for nature and natural things.

Arthur Pieper’s residence, Gordon House, Herbert and Katherine Jacob’ first house are some of the well-known Usonian houses designed by Frank Wright. These houses imparted a new meaning to American architecture and the Usonian home became a style to explain American house.

Organic architecture was the baby of Frank Lloyd Wright. It focused on how design can bring the architecture and nature as close as possible. The use of asymmetrical structures and use of natural material was the unique characteristic of organic architecture as conceived by Wright. It unifies the building and nature as a common entity.

Apart from houses, Frank Lloyd Wright also designed offices, churches, museums, skyscrapers and schools.  Even when one references  buildings located in the heart of cities away from the proximities of nature, shape of the buildings built by Frank Lloyd Wright resemble some known structures or shapes. Museum in the heart of New York City known as Guggenheim’s Museum is the brain child of Frank Wright. The challenge was to build a temple of thoughts and no one else but Frank Wright could visualize the temple as a museum. The roof resembled a spider web notifying the intricacies of human thinking.

Tree house, boot house are the concepts initiated by Frank Wright. The organic architecture saw its peak in the Falling Water house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Frank Wright Foundation was established for the students of architecture. It aimed at providing financial support to the pursuers of architectural studies. House of Frank Wright, Taliesin, is a school in itself. Many buildings built by Frank Wright are known as World Heritage sites.