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Ana Julia Scortegagna Socal

Jan Thompson

English 101

February 7, 2020

How Frank Lloyd Wright changed the course of modern architecture Commented [JT1]: Notice the MLA paper format

In 1991, the American Institute of Architects recognized Frank Lloyd Wright as “the Commented [JT2]:
Commented [JT3R2]: Here’s the subject of the paper
greatest American architect of all times.” Even though Wright himself never joined the

institute, the honor was bestowed on him after a survey was conducted by the AIA. Parallel,

one of his works, the Fallingwater house built in 1939 in Pennsylvania, was considered as "the

best all-time work of American architecture” by the same survey (“Frank Lloyd Wright

changed the way we build and live”). Commented [JT4]: This is one parenthetical citation.
Since this source did not have a named author, Ana has
used the article title in her citation.
The recognition happened more than three decades after his death in 1959, shedding

light to the importance of his contribution to American architecture. With a career that spanned

more than 70 years, Wright designed over a thousand buildings, from which around 530 were

constructed. However, far more relevant than the number of projects he was involved with is

how he shaped 20th century architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright changed the way modern

architecture was conceived and constructed, remaining faithful to his ideas throughout his life. Commented [JT5]: The focus continues to narrow, with
more statements about Wright’s influence, until she gives
her thesis statement here.
In an era when the Victorian style was prevailing, Wright’s philosophy led to a new
Notice that this statement – Wright changed the way
architecture was conceived and constructed – is the most
architecture perception. According to the article “Design Focus: Victorian/Queen Anne Style”, general statement she gives about the impact he had.
Commented [JT6]: Here’s her first topic sentence.
the Victorian style architecture was marked by the use of a variety of forms and wall planes, From this, it’s easy to see that each body section of her
paper will explain a different way Wright impacted
such as towers, overhangs and wall projections, in order to avoid flat expanses. The aesthetic architecture.

should reflect the idea of grandeur and wealth, with highly ornamented elements and excessive

decoration. There was a belief that extravagance should not be spared, or at least this is what

people must understand by looking to a Victorian house, which should stand out from its

surroundings (“Design Focus”). Wright came to change this scenario. The architect’s page on
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the website USModernist states that he rebelled against classic architecture and its traditional

ornamentation . Wright believed it was time for a new architecture. The Frank Lloyd Wright

Foundation explains that he believed The United States needed an architecture that would

reflect and endorse its unique characteristics, in opposition to the previous style, which

originated in Europe.

Tiffany Isselhardt, a public historian and researcher, writes in her article “How Frank

Lloyd Wright Forever Changed American Architecture” that Wright’s philosophy was Commented [JT7]: Notice that each time Ana
paraphrases or quotes from her sources, she introduces the
soure of the information.
influenced while he was working under architect Louis Sullivan, who used to say “form follows
This is the first time she’s used this source, so Ana has a
complete introduction here – the full name of the author,
function” (Isselhardt). The principle reflects the belief that architecture should respect the the author’s credentials, the article title, and a verb of
attribution.
connection between what is designed and what is designed for. In other words, the shape of a

building must relate to its intended function or purpose. Wright, though, took this motto a step

further. According to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, the architect is known for his views

on what is called “organic architecture”. Besides believing the building’s format should be

related to its purpose, he also argued that the building should be in harmony with its

surroundings, both in form and in materials. This idea goes against the concept of Victorian

style, where the building is designed to stand out within its location.

Frank Lloyd Wright also introduced the use of new materials and techniques. Benjamin

Ehinger, in his article “What are the key design features in Frank Lloyd Wright homes?”, writes

that he was one of the first designers to use precast concrete bricks and glass bricks in his

projects. The adoption of reinforced concrete was innovative, and opened doors for other

architects to use the same technique. According to Archipedia, “this would become a hallmark

of the modernists who followed Wright, such as Mies van der Rohe, and even some post-

modernists, such as Frank Gehry”.

His material innovation can also be seen in the details. Ehinger comments that Wright

was a pioneer in the use of zinc cames for leadlight windows, instead of the traditional lead
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used at that time. The application of this technique on the projects’ large glass panels, the

architect was restating his belief in the organic architecture (Ehinger). According to the Frank

Lloyd Wright Trust website, “creating ribbons of uninterrupted glass casement windows and

doors in his Prairie style buildings, Wright conceived his windows as an integral part of his

organic design”. Even though the technique is not widely used nowadays, it became an

important feature of Wright’s work. The Trust website shows that between 1885 and 1923, he

designed 163 buildings with his own designed leaded glass, from which 97 were constructed.

Besides the introduction of new materials, he changed the way old materials were used.

Isselhardt mentions that he often used the materials in their natural aspects, without adding Commented [JT8]: Since Ana has already introduced this
source fully, her attributions can now be much shorter. She
still uses one, though, when presenting information from
paint, coverage or any elaborate design (Isselhardt). The choice relates with his idea of organic
this source.

architecture, where the building should almost merge with its surroundings. As Micle Mihai-

Cristian explains in his article “10 Great Architectural Lessons from Frank Lloyd Wright”, this

is the reason why materials used in his projects in the Middle Western part of the United States

differ from the ones used in Arizona or Los Angeles, for example (Mihai-Christian). The

availability and the unique characteristics of the materials varies between these locations.

Even though these projects were designed decades ago, it can be seen that Wright

already had a concern towards sustainability by choosing the materials according to the site.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation states that sustainability was an important factor in

Wright’s organic architecture, and this is one of the reasons why his works has become “ever

more relevant, urgently so, in our time”.

Wright’s contribution reached its peak when he developed new architecture styles.

Among them, two stand out: the Prairie Style and the Usonian Houses. According to the

Encyclopedia Britannica, Frank Lloyd Wright is recognized as the chief practitioner of the

“Prairie School”. The style was marked by features such as horizontal lines, ribbon windows

and overhanging structures resulting in long terraces that would make the transition between
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interior and exterior look like a flowing movement. Moreover, the spacious open floor plan

concept opposed to the fragmented, closed-in architecture of the Victorian era.

Although Wright was not the only architect to be part of the Prairie School, he soon

became notable for his significant contribution. The Encyclopedia cites that Wright alone built

about 50 Prairie Houses between 1900 and 1910. The style, however, did more than just

influence how residences were constructed at that time. According to Tiffany Isselhardt, it

became the forerunner of modern styles (Isselhardt).

In addition to the Prairie Style, Wright was also responsible for developing “an effective

system for constructing low-cost homes, known as Usonian Houses”, explains the

Encyclopedia Britannica. The style was created as a response to the stock market crash on

1929. In the following years, the architect realized the country’s house needs were changing,

as people were living more simple lives. Jackie Craven, Doctor of Arts from the University at

Albany and an arts writer explains that Wright intended to create a “simple, but stylish small

house of moderate cost designed especially for the American middle class”. In other words, the

architect aimed to develop a national style that was affordable for everyone. Craven points out

that, in order to achieve the low-cost purpose, the Usonian Houses had no basement or attics,

but simple roofs and natural ornamentation, along with efficient use of space. Despite their

simple styles, the constructions became a landmark in modern architecture.

Regardless of in how many ways Wright influenced the development of modern

architecture, the relevance of his works is notable. It became even more evident when, in the

2019 World Heritage Committee session, eight of his works were considered World Heritage

Site by UNESCO because of their outstanding universal value. All the selected work reflect Commented [JT9]: This is a fact Ana saved for the
conclusion, to help bring her essay back to the key idea that
Wright made a large impact.
the concept of organic architecture developed by Wright. Even though he is not the only

architect with works considered a heritage site, it is rare for an architect to be cited by the name
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on the list, according to an article in the Voice of America website. With this acknowledgement,

Frank Lloyd Wright remains America’s greatest architect.

Works Cited Commented [JT10]: The final page of the paper is the
works cited page, which lists all the sources used in this
draft.
Craven, Jackie. “What is a Usonian House?” 03 Jul. 2019,
Notice that the page formatting and the way the citations
are written match the class instructions and follow the class
[Link] examples.

“Design Focus: Victorian/Queen Anne Style.” CSI – All Things Stone,

[Link]

Ehinger, Benjamin. “What Are The Key Design Features in Frank Lloyd Wright Homes?”

360 modern, 8 Feb. 2018, [Link]

lloyd-wright-homes/2019/02/.

“Fallingwater.” Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation,

[Link]

“Frank Lloyd Wright.” Archipedia,

[Link]

“Frank Lloyd Wright.” Encyclopedia Britannica,

[Link]

“Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959).” USModernist, [Link]

“Frank Lloyd Wright changed the way we build and live.” Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation,

2017, [Link]

“Frank Lloyd Wright’s Leaded Glass.” Frank Lloyd Wright Trust,

[Link]

Isselhardt, Tiffany. “How Frank Lloyd Wright Forever Changed American Architecture.”

Owlcation, 22 May 2018, [Link]

Wright-Forever-Changed-American-Architecture.

Mekouar, Dora. “Bold Thinking US Architect Frank Lloyd Wright Receives Honor for the

Ages.” Voice of America, 14 Aug. 2019, [Link]

america/bold-thinking-us-architect-frank-lloyd-wright-receives-honor-ages.
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Micle, Mihai-Cristian. “10 Great Architectural Lessons from Frank Lloyd Wright.”

Freshome, 29 Jan. 2020, [Link]

lessons-from-frank-lloyd-wright/.

“Taliesin.” Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, [Link]

hillside/.

“The Life of Frank Lloyd Wright”, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation,

[Link]