Essay Title: What Can We Learn From Frank Lloyd Wright’s Iconic Design That Celebrates Harmony And Nature?

Abstract: The essay is going to focus on Frank Lloyd Wright’s – Fallingwater and how it is the best example of harmony, nature and architecture and the influence it has had on many design styles. This essay will also examine the relationship between Harmony and Nature in architecture. This essay will also point out on how Frank Lloyd Wright made every design piece Sustainable and Organic.

Introduction:

‘’ No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It should be of the hill. Belonging to it. Hill and House should live together each the happier for the other. ‘’ – Frank Lloyd Wright, (1937)

Fallingwater is a house designed in 1935 by renowned Architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. It was built for Edgar Kauffman who wanted a rural retreat and had no idea that he would become the owner of Fallingwater. Fallingwater was built because Frank Lloyd Wright realized that here was a chance to showcase his Organic Architecture principles that he had talked about all his life.

Frank Lloyd Wright is the one who made the term ‘Organic’ a sense of design style in architecture and blurred the barriers of inside and outside and made interior and exterior and made interior and exterior spaces to flow together as one. Fallingwater seems to be the first to challenge nature. It is all sliding horizontal planes, balanced there over the falls as if to prove that modern man it not bound to natural forces. That ‘’he/she’’ can suspend himself at the edge of a cliff and feel as if he could keep going, flying out into open space.

What has it taught us? Fallingwater brought all the design elements into on style design, ending up with a structure that can actually contribute to the environment/ is a part of the environment, instead of taking from it.

Above is the Mindmap drawn for the degree/essay report. The essay will be based on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and what it has taught us in the design world, the importance of Harmony and Nature in architecture. The reason as to why I have chosen the words above is because each word relates to Frank Lloyd Wright.

Keywords: Nature, Sustainable, Unity, Organic, Greenery, Peace, Harmony, Patience, Japanese, Modern, Minimalism, Environment are the main keywords of the design essay/report. These words represent Frank Lloyd Wright’s work and describe him too.

In addition to secondary sources what are my inspirational sources?

My inspirational sources usually have come from the internet as this is where I read mostly about organic architecture, Japanese style designs, Frank Lloyd Wright and Sustainability. Nature itself is an inspirational source that should always make a person want to maintain it and to create within its environment. This has always been an inspiration.

What are the most challenging aspects of bibliographic research?

The most challenging aspect about bibliographic research is how authentic a site or a book really is and depending on how well the citation is done. It is a very long and time consuming process and personally, I always make mistakes which worries me about how much Turnitin will score me on plagiarism – even if the paragraphs are constructed well.

What is also challenging is that using the internet is the easiest when it comes to searching for a quote or a paragraph but using an actual book becomes more challenging even though it is more authentic and detailed.

How tutor and peer feedback have supported my bibliographic research?

My tutor from the very beginning has been very supportive and her feedback has always been helpful and guides me to the right track. Her feedback is detailed and to the point of what is required of me from the brief and suggests on how I should to about my research work. This has helped me find my research topic and now I know the lines I need to do my research work on.

What kind of sources have I used?

1. Urgent Architecture: 40 Sustainable Housing Solutions for a Changing World. Author: Bridgette Meinhold (April, 5^th 2013)

The book is based on how we can adequately provide housing when disaster strikes, whether it is weather related, like hurricanes, floods and droughts, happens in a matter of minutes from an earthquake or tsunami, through a slow process like rising sea levels or result of civil disorder poverty.

The book is based on the urgent need for safe, sustainable housing designs that are affordable to build, environmentally friendly and hardly enough to withstand severe environmental conditions.

• 1000 Tips By Eco Architects. Author: Marta Serrats (December 1^, 2012)

The book is based on the process of executing an architectural plan, a building or the process of executing an architectural plan, a building or a landscape, can be disastrous for the environment. The book shows how forward-thinking design and environmentally sound construction practise can create outstanding results. Coming from the world’s leading eco-architecture firms, these real-life projects demonstrate the pinnacle of progressive design and eco restraint. The book gives us tips on how to create without having to destroy. This is why it is chosen as a source.

• Design Like You Give A Damn: Architectural Response to Humanitarian Crises. By: Architecture For Humanity (May 1, 2012)

This book is based on projects and executed by architects and designers under the aegis of Architecture for Humanity, a relief organization dedicated to promoting architectural and design solutions to global, social and humanitarian crises. The book showcases about 40 projects from the past decade. Because the book has examples of cases and designs from the past it is a good example of a source as old and new organic/sustainable architecture can be compared.

• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater: The House and Its History (Dover Architecture). Author: Donald  Hoffman (November 1, 1993)

The book is based on the standard document on Fallingwater, the boldest, most personal architectural statement of Wright’s mature years. The book gives special emphasis to Fallingwater’s architectural innovations. The essay is based on Wright’s Fallingwater and Organic architecture and this is why this book was chosen as a source of reference.

• The Art Of Japanese Architecture. Authors: David Young, et al (September 10, 2014)

The book is based on simplicity, sensitivity to the natural environment and the use of natural materials are the hallmarks of Japanese Architecture. The book provides a broad overview of traditional Japanese design in its historical and cultural context. This source is chosen because it describes how simple and sensitive Japanese Architecture is.

• Organic Architecture, Available at: http://andrewtboyne.com/organicarchitecture.html

(Andrew T Boyne, Paragraph 6) states that, Organic Architecture stems from a reverence of the natural environment and an understanding that wellbeing of the human psyche cannot be nurtured by removing people from the natural world in which they belong. To this end, Organic buildings grow from the ground as one with their site, but they also provide occupants a connection to the exterior environment. The site describes a lot about Frank Lloyd Wright’s work and this is why it is chosen as a source.

• Organic Architecture and the Sustaining Ecosystem, Available at: https://franklloydwright.org/organic-architecture-and-the-sustaining-ecosystem/

(Stuart Graff, Paragraph 1) states that, Perhaps the most elusive concept in all of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work is the notion of ‘’Organic Architecture,’’ a thing that Wright struggles to define and redefine through his lifetime. For Wright, organic architecture was the essence of his creativity – the thing that made his work distinct and superior. The site speaks highly of Wright’s morals and respect for nature and passion for his work.

• The Importance of Harmony and Unity in Interior Design, Available at: https://freshome.com/harmony-and-unity

(Tara Mastroeni, Paragraph 4) states that, Harmony is the sense that all of the elements of your design fit together. They may fit in the same theme, aesthetic style or mood. The important takeaway is that each distinct piece seems to belong together in some way, even if it is not identical to anything else.  The reason as to why this source was chosen is because it has a modern take on Harmony in Interior Design/Architecture.

• When Buildings Blend with Nature: On Frank Lloyd Wright’s Organic Architecture, Available at: https://gardencollage.com/change/sustainability/frank-lloyd-wright/

(Leeron Hoory, Paragraph 6) states that, The home’s design was so revolutionary that Wright’s clients were initially disappointed when they saw the blueprint, because they assumed it would incorporate a view of the waterfall. But instead of placing the building to the waterfall, Wright positioned it on top, so that they could hear the ‘’falling water’’ from inside the abode. This shift in approach was groundbreaking to the architectural convention of the time and soon became a classic example of Wright’s vision.  This site is chosen the content includes a whole back ground story of how the structure came to be and can lead to the final points of ‘’What Fallingwater has taught us about Architecture/Design.’’

1. How Harmony is Perceived in Contemporary Design Philosophy (Online PDF Essay) Available at: https://www.ukessays.com/essays/philosophy/how-is-harmony-is-perceived-in-contemporary-design-philosophy-essay.php

(Unknown, Paragraph 1 & 2) states that, At first, harmony was perceived by the Greeks and Egyptians as a kind of calculation. They saw it as a form of combination of notes that brings melody and rhythm to music. However, in design the philosophy of harmony had been seen and interpreted in many different ways. The perception of harmony is made of proportion, scale, symmetry and asymmetry. This small part of the essay is being used as a source as it gives us a good explanation of how harmony has been used in the past and how it is being used now in the future.

1. Wright – Organic Architecture, (Building & Site) Available at: http://flwright.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Wright-Organic-Architecture.pdf

(unknown, Paragraph 9) states that, Nature is an architect’s school. The creative possibilities of form, colour, pattern, texture, proportion, rhythm and growth are all demonstrated in nature. Organic architecture does not imitate nature but is concerned with natural materials, the site and the people who occupy the buildings. This small PDF journal is being used as a source because it’s content is about Wright’s passion for nature.

Is there a particular issue that is important to you or that causes you difficulties?

Issues about environment has been an issue for years that has affected each human being, animal and nation on this planet. Issues like Global Warming, Air Pollution, Waste Disposal, Water Pollution and Climate Change have taken a toll on the world.

Architecture plays a role in taking care of the environment too. As architects we need to design buildings that are eco-friendly, more green which can be adaptable to the surroundings – in simpler terms architects need to create buildings that are energy efficient, sustainable buildings which are designed to reduce an overall impact while building and after being built.

Are there examples of work by other designers/illustrators/architects/ practitioners that can be argued to have addressed this issue/problem?

The best example that can describe sustainability and eco-friendly environment is Frank Lloyd Wright’s – Fallingwater. Fallingwater is a masterpiece that preserves and conserves the surroundings. Built around nature, Fallingwater demonstrates leadership and creativeness.  The structure is now like a museum for the general public and celebrates the ability of design style in harmony with nature. The inspiration of Fallingwater definitely comes from nature and the organic architecture is more of a Japanese Style – which revolves around harmony and peace while designing a space.

Frank Lloyd Wright and Geoffrey Bawa found a way in design to be one with nature while still creating something magnificent that still stands today. Their designs are not impossible to create, rather simple and good for the environment. The sensible solution in any design it to choose sustainable architecture and use materials that are eco-friendly.

My name is Kirandeep Manku, I am a student that has a passion for Architecture & Design, especially design that is Sustainable. My goal is to design homes, offices and other buildings that are eco-friendly. We as humans are the keepers of earth and our carbon footprint matters – my mission here is to create a design using natural resources that never run out.