Prairie Style

The 19th century witnessed many changes taking place in America. With the political and economic prosperity of the new nation, the desire for a greater degree of cultural independence matured.   Hence, the search for a quintessential domestic style manifested into an orthodox to defining American architecture in general. Originating from Chicago and spreading along the mid-western neighborhood, the Prairie Style of architecture is regarded as an extension from the Arts and Crafts Movement.   The Prairie School was a name given to the movement emerging from a small group of dedicated architects with the common interest of creating a n new language of modern American architecture.   This movement invited numerous respected individuals but the most celebrated being, Louis H. Sullivan And Frank Lloyd Wright. This essay will embark on the origins and formation of the Prairie Style and the development of the Prairie School movement. The designs of Frank Lloyd Wright will then be further discussed in detail to express the planning, spatial, decorative and philosophical basis of the style. In particular the Ward Willits House, Winslow House and Robie House will all be examined and observed in detail. Consequently, the influence of the Prairie Style will be examined in present day architecture.

The Prairie School Movement was nurtured by a number of pioneer architects who acknowledged themselves to be in harmony with the ideals and values of the America.   While their personal styles differed, most of the prairie works had a definite, 'Wrightian feeling' to them.   Most of the designers either worked with Wright himself or with his first employer and teacher, Louis H. Sullivan.   Wright was in the employ of Sullivan and Adler from 1887 to 1893 and during that time the seldom accepted residential designs were given over to him.   Most of Sullivan's work was restricted to commercial projects but although he revealed little interest in domestic design, his ideas attracted a...