Theory and practice in architecture : a study of Frank Lloyd Wright

Abstract

An architect has a view of the world, preferred images and sources in mind, and must deal with designing buildings for real clients. The architect tries to transform abstract ideas about the world into principles that will guide his or her actions in practice. This study tries to clarify this difficult problem that architects face. Frank Lloyd Wright is the subject of this study and there are three main areas of his theory and practice that will be investigated. First, how did he describe his own theory and how did he translate that into his own work? Second, what were his sources for design, and how did he select and modify them for use? Third, how did he work with clients, assistants and craftsmen in order to build his ideas! Six houses were chosen as cases to represent three stages in Wright's career; the Winslow house, the Robie house, the Hollyhock house, La Miniatura, the Pope house and the second Jacobs house. Wright described his theory by making statements of his general principles and specific statements describing how the different elements of the house should relate to his general theory. The inclusiveness of his theory helped him to resolve complex conflicts between the various disciplines involved in building. Wright was very explicit about his theory and wrote much which helped to attract sympathetic clients and assistants. He was confident in stating his theory but skeptical enough to respond to clients suggestions and changing circumstances in his practice. The value of Wright's theory lies primarily in its influence on other architects and consumers of single family houses. Wright used other buildings as sources (or models} for his designs freely but consistently. Later in his career he relied completely on his own houses as his sources. Wright 's collaboration with clients, assistants and craftsmen increased later in his career with the creation of the Taliesin Fellowship and the Usonian houses.