by Simon Zohhadi on Thursday, 18 August 2011 at 23:52 ·
Part 2:
Interesting programme about the American Architect - Frank Lloyd Wright.
Wright took the view that his apprentices would learn by doing.
To the outside world, Wright at 62 was finished. Spotlight was now on Europe and the radical architectural styles of Les Corbusier, Walter Gropius and Mies van dee Rohe. They were influenced by Wright's style but had moved on to provide architecture for the masses and modern world. Stone and wood were perceived as old fashioned materials. More glass and metal and the use of machines. Wright did not believe in this new world and still believed in craftsmanship and buildings made by hand. He said modern buildings were mechanical, artificial and soulless. For Wright, architecture and buildings was a spiritual thing that affect people in a deep way.
However, he took up the challenge and in 1934 he designed a house amongst rocks and a waterfall - called Falling Water. One of his most famous designs. He reputedly drew the designs in 3 hours. A beautiful building at one with nature - anchored in the rock and above the waterfall - the building suspended in air. Integrates European architecture with his own. Incorporated flat roofs in the house, which he hated.
The Johnson Wax Building was another of his notable buildings: Wright and his team presented his design drawings after 10 days - a Temple of Work. Interesting features - slender hollow reinforced columns bearing the weight of the ceiling (lilly like pad shapes) holding up the ceiling and Pyrex glass tubing for the skylights. Building inspectors doubted the columns could provide the structural support. Wright
proved they could.
At 70 he was back on top. His most productive period came after he reached 80. Next 15 years his team completed 350 designs (not all built).Including -
* Greek Orthodox Church in Wisconsin.
* Meeting House in Madison (shaped like a prayer).
* Gas Station in Minnesota.
* Twin Suspension Bridges in Pittsburg.
* Electric Plant with glowing lights.
* Synagogue in Philadelphia.
* Future Civic Centre
* Skyscraper in Chicago.
* Guggenheim Museum in New York City for Art display. Most difficult commission of his career. Building completed after many obstacles were overcome. Work began in 1956. Interior was to be one continuous spiralling ramp. In 1959 building almost complete. On April 9th 1959, he died.
He believed in the notion of providing fellow human beings with the best possible shelter at the lowest possible cost as well as great monuments.
Interesting programme about the American Architect - Frank Lloyd Wright.
Wright took the view that his apprentices would learn by doing.
To the outside world, Wright at 62 was finished. Spotlight was now on Europe and the radical architectural styles of Les Corbusier, Walter Gropius and Mies van dee Rohe. They were influenced by Wright's style but had moved on to provide architecture for the masses and modern world. Stone and wood were perceived as old fashioned materials. More glass and metal and the use of machines. Wright did not believe in this new world and still believed in craftsmanship and buildings made by hand. He said modern buildings were mechanical, artificial and soulless. For Wright, architecture and buildings was a spiritual thing that affect people in a deep way.
However, he took up the challenge and in 1934 he designed a house amongst rocks and a waterfall - called Falling Water. One of his most famous designs. He reputedly drew the designs in 3 hours. A beautiful building at one with nature - anchored in the rock and above the waterfall - the building suspended in air. Integrates European architecture with his own. Incorporated flat roofs in the house, which he hated.
The Johnson Wax Building was another of his notable buildings: Wright and his team presented his design drawings after 10 days - a Temple of Work. Interesting features - slender hollow reinforced columns bearing the weight of the ceiling (lilly like pad shapes) holding up the ceiling and Pyrex glass tubing for the skylights. Building inspectors doubted the columns could provide the structural support. Wright
proved they could.
At 70 he was back on top. His most productive period came after he reached 80. Next 15 years his team completed 350 designs (not all built).Including -
* Greek Orthodox Church in Wisconsin.
* Meeting House in Madison (shaped like a prayer).
* Gas Station in Minnesota.
* Twin Suspension Bridges in Pittsburg.
* Electric Plant with glowing lights.
* Synagogue in Philadelphia.
* Future Civic Centre
* Skyscraper in Chicago.
* Guggenheim Museum in New York City for Art display. Most difficult commission of his career. Building completed after many obstacles were overcome. Work began in 1956. Interior was to be one continuous spiralling ramp. In 1959 building almost complete. On April 9th 1959, he died.
He believed in the notion of providing fellow human beings with the best possible shelter at the lowest possible cost as well as great monuments.
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