I first visited the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in 2004 on an architectural tour hosted by my art history teacher from  UCLA.  It so impressed me that I couldn’t wait to revisit it on my recent trip to Chicago.  The entire neighborhood  surrounding the studio was absolutely pristine. Clearly there must be an HPOZ or some governing body in place to ensure that the neighborhood remains in tip top shape for visiting tourists such as myself, who are devotees of Frank Lloyd Wrights Prairie Style architecture.

Mr. Wright built his original home on this site in 1889, seen below from the side. In 1897 he added on the architectural work studio seen above. Even though he had an office in Chicago’s downtown Loop neighborhood, he preferred to be in an environment that ‘conspired to develop the best there is in him.‘ An environment free of the distractions of the busy city. 

By viewing the homes located directly across the street (seen below), it helps you see just how revolutionary Wright’s designs were. Typical buildings of this era were mired in the past, with styles derived from the architecture of old Europe. Organic Architecture, as he referred to it, meant that architecture should be suited to its environment and be a product of its place, purpose and time. The Prairie Style was inspired by the broad flat landscapes of the American Midwest and it was the first uniquely American architectural style of what has been called ‘The American Century’.

In 1888 Frank Lloyd Wright studied under the prestigious firm of Adler & Sullivan. Louis Sullivan soon recognized Wright’s talent and spent countless hours mentoring him and shaping his philosophies. It’s my opinion that the four decorative pillar supports seen above are an homage to Sullivan, who was famous for his vegetal ornamentation, also a signature of the Art Nouveau period. Wright’s later vegetal work becomes much more streamlined and graphic, like the detail seen below in Los Angeles’s Hollyhock House.

Next time you’re visiting Chicago, be sure and find time to tour this remarkable and important home that was the foundation for Wright’s illustrious career as one of Americas foremost architects.

flwright.org

… and lastly, check out my recent video about the painting I created from the garden statue above known as ‘Sprite in the Garden‘.