Fallingwater is one of the most iconic homes designed in the influential Art Deco style. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935, this home is perched atop a waterfall in Pennsylvania and is one of the greatest architectural feats of its time. Constructed from poured concrete, the organic and free-flowing shapes and forms are truly a sight to behold. The building also includes open terraces that overlook the forest and waterfall surroundings. Achieving harmony between the water and nature, it is a perfect example of Wright’s revolutionary design philosophy.Fallingwater |
Fallingwater
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is a stunning example of Art Deco architecture. Located in New York City, the sleek white curves of the modernist masterpiece are both striking and timeless. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1959, the building’s exterior is contrastingly bright against the gloomy Manhattan skyline. Inside, visitors are welcomed by modern art from around the world, including works from Picasso, Kandinsky, Klee and many others.Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum |
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Taliesin West, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is another amazing example of Art Deco architecture. Inspired by the traditional Navajo dwellings in the area, the home was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1937 as a winter home for himself and his family. The home consists of several pavilions connected by outdoor pergolas and walkways, creating an atmosphere of an open-air living room where one could easily appreciate the surrounding desert.Taliesin West |
Taliesin West
Hollyhock House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1921, is another iconic Art Deco masterpiece. Located in Los Angeles, California, the building is a unique blend of Spanish Colonial and modernist styles. Symmetrical in appearance, the building is made of reinforced concrete adorned with colorful mosaic tiles and geometric reliefs. Even the interior is eye-catching, full of bright colors and intricate woodwork.Hollyhock House |
Hollyhock House
The Farnsworth House is a stunning example of Art Deco architecture located in Plano, Illinois. Designed by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe in 1951, the simple yet modern structure combines metal and glass to create an airy and transparent atmosphere. The fluid lines and open living spaces make it an excellent example of 20th century modernist design.Farnsworth House |
Farnsworth House
Robie House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1909, is an iconic residential design masterpiece. Located in Chicago, the home’s exterior is constructed from earthy red brick in an abstract pattern, and its skyscraper-like form is one of its most distinguishing features. Inside, the living room’s continuous wall planes and stained-glass windows add to its modernist aesthetic.Robie House |
Robie House
Oak Park Home and Studio, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1889, is among the earliest Art Deco homes. Constructed from brick and limestone, the straightforward form is accompanied by several colorful murals, which gives the building a bit of warm, Art Nouveau flair. Inside, Wright’s signature open floor plan allows light to pour in from all angles, creating a pleasant, artistic atmosphere.Oak Park Home and Studio |
Oak Park Home and Studio
Lovell Beach House, designed by Richard Neutra in 1927, is a truly iconic Art Deco home. Constructed from steel and glass panels, the home’s exterior features a distinctive zig-zag pattern. Inside, walls of glass windows provide sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. This San Diego home is one of the earliest examples of how modern design can be seamlessly incorporated into a beach setting.Lovell Beach House |
Lovell Beach House
Taliesin, located in Wisconsin, is another remarkable Art Deco home created by Frank Lloyd Wright. Designed in 1911, the home is a bold blend of traditional Japanese and progressive modernism. Inside, the floor plan is organized by distinct rooms and is buffered with unique built-in furniture. The PBS production of The Frank Lloyd Wright Show was filmed at Taliesin, giving viewers an inside look at the genius of one of America's greatest architects.Taliesin |
Taliesin
The William Emanuel Levine House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1951, is an excellent example of Art Deco architecture. Built in Dallas, Texas, the building’s form is inspired by the traditional pagoda-style roofs of classical Japanese structures. Wright also incorporated a mix of steel and glass frameworks, integrated with the existing stone foundation, to create the home’s unique and innovative look.William Emanuel Levine House |
William Emanuel Levine House
Acclaimed Architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright's Modern House Design
Recognized as one of the most influential designers in American architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright is well-known for his unique and distinctive style. In an effort to revolutionize housing and redefine modernism, Frank Lloyd Wright developed a new design technique—the Modern House . His modern design style offered an escape from the classical Victorian style of the era and presented a more original, thoughtful approach.
Wright implemented an open floor plan and deemed the space between furniture a fundamental element. Per his modern house design, furniture was not placed against the walls, but instead used as a partition that created different, practical living spaces. The plan featured a living room, dining room, bathroom, and kitchen that all shared one common space.
Wright combined outdoor and indoor elements with the idea of open-plan architecture. His extensive use of windows and removable glass walls allowed maximum light and ventilation throughout the common space.
When designing his modern house plan, Wright looked to natural landscapes for inspiration. He proposed built structures as if they were organically welded into the natural environment. He believed that it was important to adopt the design of the roof to the local climate and terrain, and that houses should blend in with their surrounding natural landscape.
Architecture That Endures: A Lasting Legacy
As a modern architect, Wright also incorporated new types of heating, hydrical systems, creation of planting beds, connection of the indoor and outdoor areas, and building ventilation throughout the common space. His modern house designs were heavily inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement in England, which technically and aesthetically matched the environmental conditions.
Frank Lloyd Wright's modern house design has endured when compared to the traditional houses of the time. As one of America's most influential architects, Wright's modern house design revolutionized dramatic modern architecture for generations to come.
