American Architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright

What is this structure?

-Robie House

What is there to know about the Robie House?

-Date: 1908-1910 (20th century)

-Location: Chicago, Illinois

-Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright

Who was Robie?

-Owned a bicycle company

What did Wright employ in the entrance of the Robie house?

-Compression and release

-Pushes up the stairs

-Up the stairs is open

Did Wright like Le Corbusier?

-No

-He said he is going to go write a book after designing

How did frost in IL affect the building of houses? Did Wright like this?

-They had to be built 4 feet under

-No bc he did not like basements

What did Wright like about organic architecture?

-Everything is similar and naturally together

Did Wright like interior decorators?

-No

What did Wright use for floating roofs/cantilevers?

-Steel channels

What happened between the Robie House and Univ of Chicago?

-They wanted to destroy it for dorms

-Someone bought the house and gave it to the univ saying they cant demolish it

What controversial thing did Wright do after completing the Robie House?

-Had affair with wife of client (Mrs Cheney)

-Ran off to Europe bc Wright draw for Wasmuth Portfolio

-Was caught when checked into hotel and a reporter saw them

-Catherine (wife) no want divorce

-Built Taliesin West and moved together there

What brought Wright back into good standing after the affair?

-Taliesin fellowship and autobiography

What is this structure?

-Price Tower

What is there to know about Price Tower?

-Date: 1952-1956 (20th Century)

-Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma

-Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright

Who was Harold Price?

-Owned petroleum company

How did Harold Prince get in contact with Frank?

-Harold wanted new headquarters

-Asked Bruce Goff bc his son went to OU

-He recommended Frank

Did Harold Price want a skyscraper?

-No

-Frank convinced Price to build skyscraper instead of three story building

What is the plan of the Price Tower like?

-2 squares

-One square at 30 degree angle

-4 quadrants

-One quadrant has duplexes

-Office for Price at the top

Did Frank use a skeleton frame?

-No

-He thought it unatural

What system did Wright design for the Price Tower?

-Taproot system

-All floors cantelivered from central pier

-Frame is like a tree

T/F: Wright designed the furniture for the Price Tower

-True

What materials are used for the Price Tower?

-Recycled design

-St Martins tower in NYC

Who designed an extension to the Price Tower?

-Zaha Hadid designed extension to Price Tower Arts Center