American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867 – 1959), had a significant influence on the development of architectural design, which began in his home city of Chicago.
He designed or remodelled 32 buildings in nearby Oak Park and the neighbouring garden suburb of Riverside, and this is where he developed his Prairie style, with strong horizontals, responding to the vast, open landscape that stretched as far as the eye could see.
Wright was also strongly influenced by the English Arts and Crafts movement, which promoted craftsmanship, simplicity and integrity in art, architecture, and design.
Chicago was, in spirit, a frontier city and Oak Park was on the very edge of this civilisation. No wonder a new American style emerged from such a dynamic edge.
Here’s a selection of Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings from Oak Park and Riverside on the edge of Chicago.
