A Man of Style

Frank Lloyd Wright: “The greatest American architect of all time.” 

-American Institute of Architects, 1991

June 8, 1867 - April 9, 1958

"The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes." - Frank Lloyd Wright

Over the course of my life I'd heard mention and seen photographs of the wonderfully innovative buildings designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright, but it wasn't until my initial visit to Madison that I had the honor of seeing one of his splendid creations in person. As a part of my husband's recruitment to the university, we were invited to attend a lovely dinner at the Monona Terrace convention center one March evening three years ago. 

Monona Terrace, Madison, Wisconsin

I encourage you to visit: www.mononaterrace.com to see more of the splendor!

After beginning my career in real estate I was thrilled to realize that Wright's influential architectural style could be seen in various neighborhoods throughout the Madison area. My initial amazement over this revelation translated into an 'A-ha' moment once I learned that Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, a mere 60 miles from my home here in Madison! 

At the young age of fifteen, Frank Lloyd Wright was briefly enrolled as an engineering student (at the time, architecture classes weren't available) at the University of Wisconsin. He apprenticed with architects J.L. Silsbee and Louis Sullivan for several years before opening his own practice.

"An idea is salvation by imagination." -Frank Lloyd Wright

His Style Legacy

Prairie:

Features of the Prairie Style: Low-pitched roof, overhanging eaves, horizontal lines, and open interior spaces.
Finding the rooms of Victorian style homes to be too boxy and constrained, Wright sought to design homes with open interior spaces with long and low windows to create a connection between the interior of the home and nature.

The Frederic C. Robie House in Chicago is widely considered Frank Lloyd Wright's finest example of the Prairie style. It was built in 1909. 

Photo © Kenneth C. Zirkel / iStockphoto.com

For further details and photographs of Prairie style homes, visit this fantastically informative site:

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/architecture-and-design/prairie-style-house-1900-1920.shtml

Unisonian:

The Unisonian architectural style  is a conventionalized version of the Prairie style developed by Wright during the Great Depression. 

The Herbert Jacobs House in Madison, Wisconsin, designed 1936–37. This exterior view was part of a 2009 exhibition at the Guggenheim. 

Photograph by David Heald © The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York

Interior view of the Herbert Jacobs House.

Photo by Larry Cuneo © 2009 The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Scottsdale, AZ

To be continued...

A bit about me.

Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Danielle. I live and work in one of the most charming and enriching cities in the Midwest, Madison, Wisconsin! After graduating with a Bachelor's in Psychology from University of South Florida, I made my trek up north with my hubby, in his pursuit of a Ph.D. at UW-Madison. Ever since the day of our arrival, we have become increasingly enamored with our new home and community here in Madison. Present day, I am a licensed Realtor® in the state of Wisconsin and I am a Residential Real Estate Advisor at Stark Company Realtors. I love my job for the very reason that it allows me to meet interesting people each day and help them through all the ups and downs (mostly ups, of course!) of the home buying and selling process. Madison is a unique city with everything from interesting architecture, to scrumptious food, to gorgeous parks, to a vibrant music scene. How could one not adore a city with nicknames like: Madtown, The Berkeley of the Midwest, and (my personal favorite) 78 square miles surrounded by reality. Warm weather is on its way, and so too are blossoms, chirping birds, and beautiful bright sunshine.  

Some mementos from last summer:

Pope Farm Park, Madison, WI

July 2010