Frank Lloyd Wright
1867-1959

American architect, who was a pioneer in the modern style. He is considered one of the greatest figures in 20th-century architecture.

Wright created the philosophy of "organic architecture," the central principle of which maintains that the building should develop out of its natural surroundings. From the outset he exhibited bold originality in his designs for both private and public structures and rebelled against the ornate neoclassic and Victorian styles favored by conventional architects. Wright was opposed to the mechanical imposition of preconceived styles.

Wright believed that the architectural form must ultimately be determined by the particular function of the building, its environment, and the type of materials employed in the structure. Among his fundamental contributions was the use of various building materials for their natural colors and textures, as well as for their structural characteristics. His exteriors incorporated low horizontal proportions and strongly projecting eaves. This concept was particularly evident in his early Prairie style, single-family houses, among them the Martin House (1904) in Buffalo, New York; the Coonley House (1908) in Riverside, Illinois; and the Robie House (1909) in Chicago.

Wright's expansion on the open floor plans of Gustav Stickley's Craftsman homes emphasized a sense of spaciousness. They led to family rooms, kitchens open to living areas, indoor spaces open to outdoor living spaces, garden rooms, decks, and carports. His use of glass opened window walls and brought generous amounts of light and inspiring vistas into rooms.

There has been a renewed interest, of late, in preserving Wright Prairie Homes. In October 2000, Congress approved $1 million dollars for the renovation of Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin Martin House.