A Prolific Architect: The Enduring Impact of Frank Lloyd Wright

It is hard to be an architectural designer and not know the name Frank Lloyd Wright. A long career spanning 70 years enable the architect and designer to build impressive properties. He is noted for many things.

• Unorthodox architectural design that did not fit in with the times in any way

• Incredible blending of nature and man-made structures

• Designing more than homes but also schools, churches, and skyscrapers

Impressively, there are 12 of his buildings on the Architectural Record’s 100 Most Important Buildings of the Century. No other designer comes close.

His work and history are preserved by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, which continues to own and maintain some of the properties, though most are privately owned.

Who Was Frank Lloyd Wright?

Though he seemed like an average citizen, Lloyd Wright was much more. An American architect designed 1114 architectural works of all types, and of those, 532 came to life. He was born in 1867 the son of a preacher and teacher, and lived a rather nomadic early life. His path would allow him, eventually, to work under Louis Sullivan for six years, a prestigious founder of the Adler and Sullivan architectural group in Chicago.

He would work to learn and design in the coming years. His first independent commission was the William H. Winslow House. Quite the conservative property compared to those that would come later, the property was incredible beautiful. It has a simple elegance to it and gained local attention.

In the following 16 years, Lloyd Wrights would create the Prairie Style, an architectural design that tool the American residential market by storm. The properties featured long, low horizontal designs thanks to low-pitched roofs. They had no attics or basements, but deep overhangs.

Properties attributed to Lloyd Wright during this time included:

• Darwin D. Martin House in Buffalo, NY, in 1903

• Avery Coonley House in Riverside, Illinois, in 1907

• Frederick C. Robie House in Chicago, Illinois, in 1908

He also worked on several other projects, including the United Temple in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1905 and the Larkin Company Administration Building in Buffalo, NY, in 1903.

What Defined Frank Lloyd Wright’s Architectural Style?

Frank Lloyd Wright is a noted architect for multiple reasons. As mentioned, his architectural style, especially in the early years, was that of Prairie Style.

The Prairie Style home

These homes were mostly built between 1900 and 1920. When asked about the style, he is noted as calling them a city man’s country home.

These initial properties were already very different from the many Victorian-style homes that were prominently present in American architecture during the period. They appealed to upper-middle-class homeowners. At the same time, they were far more modern than traditional Victorian architecture.

These homes featured several key features in common. Most featured a private and sheltered space. They were often very closely tied to the natural landscape in some way. More so, the homes brought together beautiful architecture and nature. 

Photo by Zander Betterton

The Usonian homes

A different style of home created by Lloyd Wright was called the Usonian design. These properties were modern, affordable, and efficient. Most were made using simple materials. This included wood, concrete blocks, and natural colors and dimensions. Many focused heavily on natural light.

These properties typically featured a low-pitched roofline. This allowed for more natural light to enter the space. Many also were located outside of the city limits. They sat on rural plots of land. This enabled a design that encouraged the homes to fit within their natural landscapes.

What made this design trend different for the architect was the term “organic.” He sought to create homes that did not just function on the property but were naturally moulded to it. That is, the natural contours of the land surrounding the home were often reflected in the design of the property itself.

These properties also included what he called a “democratic” layout. This enables an open space that is flexible in its function. There were also multiple spaces that could be used for numerous purposes. Many of these homes continue to be used today, though some have fallen into disrepair. 

Photo by Kirk Thornton

Fallingwater

Fallingwater was a very special property designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and is easily one of his most notable works. Today, much of the property is being preserved and restored due to the numerous limitations and conditions. Yet, this home is a remarkable property.

The home was designed in 1935. It was designed for the Kaufmann family. The family-owned Kaufmann’s, a large department store based out of Pittsburg. The home itself sits in Southwestern Pennsylvania. It is located within the Laurel Highlands in Mill Run, a small community about 70 miles to the southeast of Pittsburgh.

This home is remarkable in several ways. The property rises above a waterfall. In other words, the home was built over the top of a natural waterfall. To create this property, the local craftsman had to quarry native sandstone and other materials.

To meet the Kauffman’s expectations, Lloyd Wright was tasked with finding a way for the owners to “live with the waterfall.” To do this, several concrete “trays” would be created. This created cantilevered terraces made of natural, local sandstone. They blended easily and seemingly perfectly with the surrounding rock formations. Looking at the home from a distance, it seems as if the property is floating above a running stream. In a way, it is.

Stepping inside, the first floor entryway, living room, and the dining room are a large, open space. There are suspended stairways that allow for descending downward towards the stream below. Guest quarters sit on the property as well.

Broadacre City

Though not an actual developed project, the Broadacre City is another of Frank Lloyd Wright’s truly masterful designs. It was a vision for an entire city. The concept, which he called a democratic city, was to utilize modern communication and technology. This would enable a decentralized old-style city and create a space that is more naturally influenced.

His work focused on the development of a city that would meet the demands of a new America. That is, it would be based on the automobile. Prior to this time, communities were mostly walkable. They linked together with dirt roads. Even as they expanded, the automobiles of today would never be able to navigate roadways with the same efficiency without the Broadacre City concepts.

In 1935, a 12-foot by 12-foot model of Lloyd Wright’s proposed Broadacre City was displayed at the National Alliance of Arts and Industry Exposition at Rockefeller Center in New York. The model showed a town designed to meet the needs of a world based on cars.

The model would tour the US for several years and then make it was way to Europe as well. He was an ongoing model, one he would update from time to time. 

Photo by Charles Marleau

Taliesin West

Perhaps another of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most notable developments was Taliesin West, which was called his desert laboratory and is situated in Arizona. Today, it is a World Heritage Site and a National History Landmark in the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale.

The home was considered Lloyd Wright’s winter property. It was first established in 1937 and took years to perfect. The property is very much connected to the desert landscape. What makes this property so important is that it was one of his most personalized properties. It was built by Lloyd Wright and his apprentices and, throughout the years, would be maintained by the architect himself.

He initially conceived a desert utopia. It would include several low-slung buildings that would showcase the sweeping view of the desert. He used local materials, including desert masonry methods, to create the property. The property featured canvas roofs, which allowed for ample light to flood the interior spaces. The red accents, something the architect was also known for, were incorporated into redwood beams throughout the space.

Each of the buildings had its own purpose. This included private residents, and, over time, it would feature three theatres, a workshop, dining spaces, and a drafting studio. It was also noted for having several guest areas and residences for his apprentices.

Each room and separate area of the home were connected using walkways and hallways. The property also featured numerous outdoor pools and garden spaces. 

Photo by Tomas Eidsvold

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Stepping away from residential development, at least for a moment, Frank Lloyd Wright would contribute to numerous other projects over time. He was commissioned to design a building that would be home to the Museum of Non-Objective Painting in 1943. He took to the project with a unique design.

It features an inverted ziggurat design. It would not be built until 1959, thanks to the numerous modifications necessary for the design and, over time, the difficulty in obtaining building materials after World War II. Yet, once construction started in 1956, the property would be a mesmerizing architectural design.

The property opened on October 21, 1959, which was six months after Wright’s death. It would long be called the most important world of his late career. The property is a testament to modern architecture and the unique use of the space.

The initial plans for the structure were to create a 10-story tower behind the initial rotunda. It would be the home of offices, storage, a private studio apartment, and workrooms. This project would be taken on to complete the space by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects in 1990. It continues to incorporate many of the same designs and themes of the original work of Lloyd Wright, with stunning detail throughout it.

Without a doubt, these are some of the most notable, though not nearly all of the properties Frank Lloyd Wright is recognized for, but his presence in American architecture is far more expansive. This design style, use of natural landscapes, and passion for creating unique but beautiful spaces have inspired many others throughout the years. Today, he remains one of the most notable of all architectural designers for his innovative designs and thinking. 

How Many Buildings Did Frank Lloyd Wright Design?

A prolific career is an understatement here. Throughout his career, he designed 1,114 architectural works. These fall into a wide range of functional spaces, mostly homes. Additionally, he built churches, government buildings, and public spaces. Of all the designs he created or that are attributed to him, 532 structures were realized.

Photo by Library of Congress

What Are Two Other Things That Frank Lloyd Wright Is Known for Designing That Are Not Buildings?

Though many people know him solely for his ability to craft stunning architecture, Lloyd Wright was also known for its other design inspirations. That includes furniture and art glass. He was also noted for contributing to the design of graphic arts, lighting, and even the fabrics used within some of his properties.

Also notable is that during a period of creative struggle, Lloyd Wright would move to Europe. There, he took to writing and published two pieces. The first was Wasmuth Portfolio, published by Ernst Wasmuth. It was a set of drawings that captivated others. It was officially titled "Ausgeführte Bauten und Entwürfe von Frank Lloyd Wright." The second was a publication of photographs called "Ausgeführte Bauten." Both were published in 1911.

Yet another example of its impressive legacy was the creation of the Taliesin Fellowship. Though the backstory is long and complicated, this fellowship aimed to do more than just build structures. In fact, it set out to educate others about architecture.

Where Are Frank Lloyd Wright Houses?

There are many properties attributed to Frank Lloyd Wright. As noted, many are private residences or properties not accessible to the public in general. For a comprehensive list of Public Wright Sites, visit this site: Flwright.org. In the US, Lloyd Wright’s properties dotted the landscape, including in the states of:

• Alabama

• Arizona

• Arkansas

• California

• Florida

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Iowa

• Kansas

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• Montana

• New Hampshire

• New York

• Ohio

• Oklahoma

• Oregon

• Pennsylvania

• Texas

• Virginia

• Wisconsin

Though much of his work was completed in the US, there are many examples of his architectural wonders found throughout the world. He worked on numerous projects in Europe and Tokyo, most notably on the Imperial Hotel.

Frank Lloyd Wright Houses for Sale?

From time to time, private owners of Frank Lloyd Wright homes will list them for sale. These properties, many of which are in excellent condition and renovated or restored, often have a significant demand. Since most are privately owned, finding homes for sale designed by Frank Lloyd Wright can be somewhat difficult to do. Yet, with his work well documented, those who are passionate about locating properties can do so.

How Much Have Frank Lloyd Wright Homes Sold For?

Each property has unique features and attributes that determine value. Some have been lost to wear and tear. Others have sold for significant money.

For example, as of April of 2024, two of his properties have hit the market. One is in Wilmette, Illinois, a small, 1460 square foot home that had a $899,000 asking price when it was listed on the market. It sold quickly. Much of the home has been updated and restored to maintain the true Prairie Style, which the architect is so well known for.

A second property to come on the market thus far in 2024 was a 1950 Usonian home in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It was listed for $790,000 at the time. The property, not unlike many others in the region, struggled with repair needs for some time. A local purchased the home in 2021 to improve it, restoring much of the beauty of this piece of architecture.

Perhaps the most notable and highest-valued Frank Lloyd Wright home to sell is the 7,000-square-foot home known as Tirranna. The property, located in New York, is considered one of the most important masterpieces of his design. The property sold in early 2024 for $6 million. The property was built in 1959. It incorporates the solar hemicycle design that made some of Lloyd Wright’s homes so well known. These homes have a curved glass façade. As the day moves, the sun’s movements are captured at the various windows with breathtaking beauty.