Frank Lloyd Wright: America's Greatest Architect?

[elperromagico]

[SkipNewarkDE]

1. Mike Brady

was America's greatest architect.

[elperromagico]

4. Well, that house they lived in was a doozy, wasn't it?

:D

[Beaverhausen]

13. yeah, six kids sharing one bathroom!

and the hilarity ensued!

[LisaLynne]

2. There is a house he designed ...

in a neighborhood not far from where I live. Still privately owned and gorgeous. I love the man. :)

[Beaverhausen]

14. I stayed in a house he designed in Montecito, CA

really amazing.

I also took the tour at Taliesin, the school in Scottsdale Arizona. Also amazing.

[On the Road]

3. Who Are the Other Candidates?

Robert Venturi? Phillip Johnson? They can't hold a candle to FLR.

[elperromagico]

5. SkipNewarkDE mentioned a great one: Mike Brady.

:D

[smirkymonkey]

6. Probably the most well know, but not necessarily the greatest

if you are not a big fan of his work, but can appreciate him.

His mentor, Louis Sullivan?
Philip Johnson
Daniel Burnham
Frederick Olmstead Law
James Renwick
Thomas Jefferson
et al.

[whistle]

7. Many around the world seem to agree...

<snip>
After the fall

In 1957 King Faisal of Iraq asked America's greatest architect to build a new Baghdad. Now his plans are being dusted off.

By Guardian Newspapers, 8/18/2003

"It is yours, Mr Wright," said King Faisal of Iraq to Frank Lloyd Wright, handing over an island in the river Tigris. It was the summer of 1957 and America's greatest ever architect, then 90 and at the height of his powers, was in Iraq to present his Greater Baghdad project. He wasn't convinced that downtown Baghdad was the best site for his designs, but he thought that the island might be.

<link> http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/8-18-2003-44347.asp

http://www.businessweekasia.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jul2004/nf20040728_3153_db078.htm

http://www.worldvillage.com/wv/cafe/html/reviews/flw.htm

[elperromagico]

9. I've seen some of the designs for Baghdad.

Very interesting indeed.

[Snow]

8. The man had a great publicist

but he was a crappy engineer, and not nearly as original as he's been built up to be. Look at the Arts-and-Crafts stuff out on the west coast that happened before FLW. Myself, amongst the well-known architects I like Olmsted, but I think this is one of those beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder things. My uncle and grandfather and several great uncles were architects, disliked Frank intensely, yet a lot of my uncle's stuff looks like Frank's. Waddya gonna do?

[medeak]

10. have to agree

love the hotel in Phoenix...but that house there makes me claustrophobic. Ceilings so low I have to crouch....everything horizontal..nothing vertical.

[elperromagico]

11. Wright was his own best publicist.

He constantly promoted himself and, perhaps more importantly, he presented an image of himself - flamboyant and highly opinionated - that made for a great story, and therefore brought greater attention to his work.

[el_gato]

12. Last I heard Fallingwater was falling down

because he didn't want to use too much rebar in the concrete.

[Lex]

15. They are trying to shore it up underneath.

Perhaps it won't fall down.