14 Things You Never Knew About Frank Lloyd Wright’s Work
Updated: Dec. 09, 2022
Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the most important architects of all time, but how well do you really know the famous man's work?
Happy 150th, Frank Lloyd Wright
It’s the 150th anniversary of the birth of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He designed 1,171 architectural works, 511 of which were realized. During his lifetime he redefined the country’s architectural identity. In celebration of the anniversary, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation will host a series of events, exhibitions, programs and activities. Here, 14 things you have never known about Wright’s buildings.
His winter home is a tourist draw
Over 100,000 visitors from around the world visit Taliesin West, Wright’s winter home and studio in Scottsdale, Arizona, every year. These free tourist attractions in every state are also popular with tourists.
It’s also one of his personal favorites
Taliesin is considered one of the architect’s most personal creations; it was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices.
Taliesin is built on his grandparents’ land
Wright built Taliesin on his favorite boyhood hill nestled along the Wisconsin River valley, which was actually homesteaded by his Welsh grandparents. He named it in honor of them; Taliesin being Welsh for “Shining Brow.”
He proposed gold leaf for Falling Water
Frank Lloyd Wright once suggested that the famous house in Mill Run, Pennsylvania have concrete surfaces coated in gold leaf.
Martin House has 400 art glass windows
The Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, New York, is considered among the most important designs of Wright’s career and is the largest and most highly developed Prairie house on the east coast. There are almost 400 art glass windows throughout the complex; in fact, more patterns of art glass were designed for the Martin House than for any other of Wright’s Prairie Houses. The windows were created to act as light screens to visually connect exterior views with the spaces within.
One home had a private zoo
At one time, the Fabyan Villa in Geneva, Illinois estate included a Japanese garden, private zoo, Roman-style swimming pool, lighthouse, country club, quarry, farm, gardens, grottoes, greenhouses, and an amphitheater. You can still tour the house and the Japanese garden. Here’s how to create a lovely garden of your own.
