The Robie House, Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Style Masterpiece YouTube 720p

Summary

In 1893, Frank Lloyd Wright established his architectural practice in Oak Park, pioneering the Prairie style, America's first original architectural style. Inspired by the Midwest's expansive landscape, the style featured gently sloping roofs, low proportions, and open plans. Wright's innovative designs, like the Robie House completed in 1910, epitomized the Prairie style with its horizontal emphasis, harmonious materials, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow. The Robie House, recognized as one of the 10 most significant structures of the 20th century, showcases Wright's visionary approach to architecture, influencing generations and redefining American residential design.

Takeaways

• 🏠 Frank Lloyd Wright founded his architectural practice in Oak Park in 1893 and pioneered the Prairie style of architecture during the first decade of the 20th century.
• 🌱 The Prairie style was inspired by the expansive landscape of America's Midwest and was the first truly American architectural style.
• 🛠 Wright's Prairie style houses were characterized by gently sloping roofs, low proportions, quiet skylines, and open plans that allowed rooms to flow into each other.
• 👤 Wright sought clients with unspoiled instincts and ideals, like the ambitious businessman Fredrick Robie, who wanted a house with lots of light and open spaces.
• 🏡 The Robie House, completed in 1910, is considered the consummate expression of Wright's Prairie style, integrating site, structure, interior, exterior, furniture, ornament, and architecture.
• 🏗 The Robie House showcased innovative materials and design, emphasizing horizontal lines and a dynamic configuration of sliding planes.
• 🎨 Wright achieved a remarkable balance of tone and color in the Robie House, using materials like iron flight brick and limestone to create harmony with the surrounding environment.
• 🌅 The interior of the Robie House features a light-filled open plan that is considered a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture and design.
• 🌿 The design of the Robie House blurred the boundaries between interior space and nature, with broad balconies and terraces that allowed the interior and exterior to flow together.
• 📚 In 1911, Wright's work was introduced to Europe through the Wasmuth Portfolio, influencing a new generation of architects.
• 🏛 The Robie House is recognized as one of the defining moments of Wright's career and was named one of the 10 most significant structures of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects in 1991.

Q & A

When did Frank Lloyd Wright establish his architectural practice?

Frank Lloyd Wright founded his architectural practice in 1893.

In which location did Wright start his practice?

He started his practice in Oak Park, a quiet semi-rural suburb of Chicago.

What architectural style did Frank Lloyd Wright pioneer in the first decade of the 20th century?

Frank Lloyd Wright pioneered the Prairie Style, an architectural approach inspired by the expansive landscape of America's Midwest.

What was unique about the Prairie Style in terms of American architecture?

The Prairie Style was the first truly American architectural style, representing a dramatic shift from traditional houses and reflecting American values.

What were the key features of the Prairie Style houses designed by Wright?

Prairie Style houses were characterized by gently sloping roofs, low proportions, quiet skylines, heavyset chimneys, sheltering overhangs, low terraces, and outreaching walls.

Who was the client for the Robie House, and what was his background?

The client for the Robie House was Frederick Robie, an ambitious young businessman who worked in his father's Excelsior supply company and had a rebellious spirit.

What specific requirements did Frederick Robie have for his house that influenced Wright's design?

Frederick Robie wanted a house with lots of natural light, the ability to look out without being seen, and rooms that were not confining.

When was the Robie House completed, and how does it represent Wright's Prairie Style?

The Robie House was completed in 1910 and represents the consummate expression of Wright's Prairie Style, with its horizontal emphasis, integrated design, and innovative use of materials.

How did Wright achieve a balance of tone and color in the Robie House?

Wright achieved a balance of tone and color by using materials such as brick and limestone that harmonized with the leaded glass windows, creating a dynamic horizontality throughout the design.

What was the significance of the Robie House in terms of its interior design?

The interior of the Robie House featured a light-filled open plan that was breathtaking in its simplicity, with leaded glass windows flooding the interior with light and patterns that echoed the building's form.

How did the Robie House influence the perception of residential architecture?

The Robie House changed the perception of residential architecture by introducing new ideas and norms, making what was once unusual become the norm in American architecture.

What recognition did the Robie House receive from the American Institute of Architects?

In 1991, the Robie House was recognized by the American Institute of Architects as one of the 10 most significant structures of the 20th century.

What was the impact of Frank Lloyd Wright's work on European architecture?

Wright's work, including the Robie House, was introduced to Europe through the Wasmuth Portfolio of 1911, which influenced a new generation of architects.

What were some of the other notable works by Frank Lloyd Wright after the Robie House?

After the Robie House, Frank Lloyd Wright went on to create masterpieces such as Fallingwater in 1939 and the Guggenheim Museum completed in 1959.