Frank Lloyd Wright Archives

Footwear

Kith + New Balance Release Special Edition Frank Lloyd Wright Sneakers at Taliesin West

April 17, 2023 Footwear

Sneakers might sound like a strange collaboration with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, especially since we can’t picture the famous architect ever walking around in athletic shoes.

However, the shoe is here, and it’s called the New Balance Made in USA 998 – Broadacre City, a collaboration with New Balance, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and fashion company Kith.

The limited-edition sneakers are a four-tone color block style, inspired by the architectural sketches Wright made of his unbuilt futuristic plan – Broadacre City. The colors of the shoes also reflect the desert landscapes of Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, and the school he set up outside of Scottsdale, Arizona.

The sneakers were available solely at Taliesin West, and it’s unclear whether they’ll be available for wider sale in the future.

We appreciate this unlikely pairing, and imagine if Wright saw the sneakers, he might try on a pair and give a tour of architectural genius in the desert.

3D

Cars Designed Through the Style of Famous Architects

February 3, 2023 3D

Some of the most famous architects in the world left a lasting impression on our built society. Their contributions to our cities will be remembered for generations.

What if they designed cars, as well as buildings? Would they look like the architect’s famous creations? Would the car embody their trademark style?

We’ve enlisted AI to help us explore the ‘what if?‘. We used the program MidJourney to help visualize what an architect-derived car might look like. It was a fun visual journey, creating images that fit the time period and overall style of the famous architect in question.

Check out the collection below, and let us know if the cars embody the signature style and feel of the architects’ work.

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)

Zaha Hadid (1950-2016)

Eero Saarinen (1910-1961)

Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926)

Santiago Calatrava (B. 1951)

Kengo Kuma (B. 1954)

Frank Gehry (B. 1929)

Renzo Piano (B. 1937)

Norman Foster (B. 1935)

Interested in automobiles? Check out our collection of posts, and our sister site, Electric Future for even more.

Architecture

New Renderings Show Amazing Unbuilt Frank Lloyd Wright Projects

January 20, 2023 Architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright remains the most well known architect in the world, even though he died over 60 years ago.

His built projects live on, like The Guggenheim in New York, Falling Water in Pennsylvania, Taliesen in Wisconsin, and on and on.

But the architect died before many of his large, ambitious projects could be built. And some of them were so ambitious they might not ever be technically feasible.

However, Spanish architect David Romero has helped bring some of these beautiful projects to life with digital renderings that would make Wright proud.

Below are some stunning projects, from the world’s tallest skyscraper concept, to floating homes on Lake Tahoe.

The Illinois, a planned 1-mile high skyscraper, much taller than any building currently on earth. Courtesy of Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

Broadacre City, a massive planned community concept. Click the photo for our article on this amazing planned concept.

The National Life Insurance buildings a distinct blue-green facade. Courtesy of Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

Smith House, planned for Oakland California.

The interior for the planned Arizona Capitol, including Romero’s detailed interior renderings.

The Lake Tahoe Summer Colony with stunning “floating” cabins.

Gordon Strong Automobile Objective. Courtesy of Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Forgotten City

May 4, 2022 Architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright didn’t just redefine the world of architecture, but also had grand ideas for how towns and entire cities might function. Indeed, after he died, plans for thousands of unbuilt homes, buildings, skyscrapers, and cities were found and archived, showing just how prolific and brilliant his work was.

Broadacre City was his plan for a sweeping development that would embody a new style of living and traveling, and included sketches for futuristic buildings, pod-like cars, and even flying devices called aerotors that resemble the VTOL drones from the last few years.

He and his team created a model of the city in 1935, which he also wrote about in numerous books and drawings. The scale of the plan was mind-boggling, with the idea of every US family receiving a one acre plot of land, and a futuristic vehicle to get place to place.

Almost the complete opposite of dense urban building, it was a far-out idea, and one that obviously never got built. But the scope and scale were impressive, and the ideas worth revisiting, if only to see the imagination of Wright’s work.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has created renderings that honor the original scale models and drawings that Wright proposed.

Architecture

Stay Overnight in This One-of-a-Kind Frank Lloyd Wright Home

February 9, 2022 Architecture

If you’ve ever wanted to stay the night in a one-of-a-kind architectural gem, this is a great choice.

Located in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, the Still Bend House was built in 1948, and is unmistakably Frank Lloyd Wright, inside and out.

Modeled after the famed architect’s 1938 ‘Dream House’ for Life magazine, it features four bedrooms, a 63-foot living room, and all of the clever built-ins that Wright was known for. Red brick and wood exterior, coupled with sleek lines and cantilevered roof make the home timeless.

Available on Airbnb for an amazingly affordable $525 per night (for the whole house), it’d be a memorable getaway, and a chance to stay in an architectural juggernaut’s creation.

The home was recently featured on Netflix’s The Most Amazing Vacation Rentals.

Architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Armstrong Dune House For Sale in Indiana

November 9, 2020 Architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses rarely go up for sale. And when they do, they’re often in the multi-million dollar range. Highly sought after by architecture lovers, his homes have a style that is immediately recognizable and remarkable.

We’ve been fans of his Prairie and Usonian Style architecture for as long as we’ve been familiar with it.

This particular home, the Armstrong Dune House, has a beautiful flow, and embodies some of his best design thinking. Set in a desirable area on the very southern tip of Lake Michigan, it’s for sale for $1,195,000, which is quite a steal, considering its lineage and location on the lake. See details below.

Our only ask: If you buy this home, invite us over for a drink! 😉 Via Uncrate:

Magnificent, historic Frank Lloyd Wright home in the coveted lakefront community of Ogden Dunes!Feast your eyes and your senses on this beautiful, one-of-a-kind 2-story masterpiece! Set on multiple landscaped, wooded lots, this beauty offers 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, a large inviting living room, open dining/kitchen area, spacious rec room for entertaining, 2 fireplaces (for those cozy winter nights), master bedroom suite, sauna, large screen porch, roomy detached garage with 4-car capacity, and carport.

Architecture

Lovingly Illustrated Frank Lloyd Wright Houses In Nearly Every US State

January 18, 2020 Architecture

This ambitious project brings us a huge collection of Frank Lloyd Wright’s beautiful homes, lovingly illustrated by Muhammad Sajid, Duck Knees, and NeoMam Studios.

Many of the classic, well known homes like Falling Water are on the list, but so are dozens of lesser known homes, in places like Wyoming, Kentucky, and Nebraska, where we weren’t aware Frank Lloyd Wright even worked. The illustration style is warm and modern, while remaining faithful to the specific architectural details of the homes.

Perusing the homes (many now museums), we are reinforced with the feeling that Wright really was the most important architect of the day, and his work remains highly relevant event today, 70+ years after most of these houses were built. Below are 23 of our favorites, make sure to visit the Frank Lloyd Wright home map on HomeAdvisor to see detail about each beautiful house.

Architecture

Los Angeles Icons Lovingly Illustrated by George Townley

February 26, 2019 Architecture

Los Angeles is a huge and sprawling place, full of stories and personalities. George Townley captures some of the city’s iconic buildings and places in warm and bright illustrations. His style has been called Wes Anderson-like, but we’d just called it inviting. His series includes some major icons as well as lesser known architectural treats, like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House, and the “Dingbat” house. Via DesignBoom:

george-townley-moss-and-fog-1 — Capitol Records building, Welton Becket

george-townley-moss-and-fog-9 — Theme Building, LAX

george-townley-moss-and-fog-2 — Stahl House, Pierre Koeing

george-townley-moss-and-fog-3 — Parker Center, Welton Becket

george-townley-moss-and-fog-4 — Sixth Street Bridge

george-townley-moss-and-fog-5 — John Sowden House, Frank Lloyd Wright

george-townley-moss-and-fog-6 — Hollyhock House, Frank Lloyd Wright

george-townley-moss-and-fog-7 — Griffith Observatory, John C. Austin

george-townley-moss-and-fog-8 — Dingbat House

Architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Haddock House

June 18, 2018 Architecture

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1938, the Haddock House took nearly 40 years before it was finally built. Out of the public spotlight for decades, this home has finally gone on the market for the first time, bringing this gem of a property into view. Located outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Usonian style home sits beautifully on a 10 acre wooded property. While small, at only 2 bedrooms, it’s full of the built-in details and unique charm that make all Wright homes so special. Available for $1,200,000 via The Barrett Group.

Architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Palm Canyon House

January 26, 2018 Architecture

One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most unique and captivating properties is Palm Canyon, located outside Phoenix. Designed just before his death in 1959 and built in 1967, the home’s shape is formed from overlapping circles, set on the edge of a rocky cliff overlooking the cacti and scrub that make up the famous canyon. The interior is entirely original and in amazing condition, considering it’s age. Listed for $3.25 million, the house is 3,095 square feet, and one of 14 circular houses that the famous architect designed. It’s a very special property, and one that exemplifies the way Wright created homes that blend into the environments where they live. Via Uncrate:

palm-canyon-house-1 — Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Palm Canyon home is up for sale.

palm-canyon-house-2 — Created from overlapping circular forms.

palm-canyon-house-4 — Circle forms continue inside, with custom fittings and beautifully unique windows.

palm-canyon-house-5 — Bedroom windows look out onto the rocky, cacti and scrub land beyond.

palm-canyon-house-6 — Custom furniture and built-ins are entirely original and designed by the architect.

palm-canyon-house-7 — Custom millwork and circular forms throughout.

palm-canyon-house-8 — Bronze colored tile in the master bathroom.

palm-canyon-house-9 — Beautifully expansive windows look out onto cacti. Custom furniture occupy the space.

palm-canyon-house10 — Custom built in furniture line the walls.

palm-canyon-house11 — Great views from the circular windows make this home entirely unique.

palm-canyon-house12 — Another view of the pool and adjoining fountain.

palm-canyon-house13 — The sunset views overlooking Phoenix make this home extra special.

Architecture

10 Frank Lloyd Wright Homes You Can Stay In!

June 21, 2017 Architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright was recently re-celebrated by the NY Times, and his legacy is living on as America’s greatest architect. Though a lot of his beautiful custom homes are in private hands, far from prying eyes, there are a handful that are amazingly- available to rent!

Dwell Magazine has a great write up about the homes that you can book for a vacation or a getaway. The homes are true masterpieces, blending in beautifully with their surroundings, and full of authentic Frank Lloyd Wright touches – custom furniture, stained glass, light fixtures, and many design quirks that are sure to make for a memorable stay. Check out the listings below, ranging from a small cottage on a lake in Wisconsin, to a six bedroom mansion in Chicago, to a mind-blowing estate in Hawaii, Wright’s only home there. Click on the house to visit the listing. And let us know if you end up staying in one of these amazing properties.

frank lloyd wright moss and fog — The Palmer House

Frank Lloyd Wright Home Moss and Fog 9 — The Emil Bach House

Frank Lloyd Wright Home Moss and Fog 8 — The Louis Penfield House

Frank Lloyd Wright Home Moss and Fog 7 — The Gordon House

Frank Lloyd Wright Home Moss and Fog 6 — The Elam House

Frank Lloyd Wright Home Moss and Fog 5 — The Schwartz House

Frank Lloyd Wright Home Moss and Fog 4 — The Duncan House

Frank Lloyd Wright Home Moss and Fog 2 — Frank Lloyd Wright Hawaiian Getaway

Frank Lloyd Wright Home Moss and Fog 3 — The Woodside House

Architecture

Still Creeping Towards the Heavens

August 2, 2011 Architecture

I don’t know why I love skyscrapers. I don’t live in a giant Metropolis. I will probably never work or reside in a giant high-rise. They are glass-sealed spaceships, cut off from the afternoon breeze, often appearing cold and unloving. But despite all this, I find them fascinating and awe-inspiring.

63687683 — Kingdom Tower rendered through the clouds

The announcement of the Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia marks the world’s first kilometer high skyscraper to be actually built. Construction is planned ‘imminently’, and we can expect to marvel at the 157+ story goliath by the end of the decade. And remember, this comes on the heels of the completion of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai’s current flagship, and the current tallest building in the world. We can glimpse Tom Cruise doing his acrobatic thing off of the edge of this incredibly tall tower in this winter’s Mission Impossible film.

In the ever-growing race to out-do one another, Kingdom Tower will indeed tower over Burj Khalifa by at least 500 feet. Yes, it’s a classic macho size comparison, but the stakes are billion dollar construction budgets and Chicago architecture firms hired to push the very limits of engineering.

Despite all of this, we’ve still not reached the incredible Mile-High concept that Frank Lloyd Wright proposed back in 1956. The Illinois was a concept that would have reached a full mile into the heavens, and held 528 stories. Still impossible with today’s technology, though architects and engineers keep creeping towards that goal, bit by bit. Kingdom Tower is next in line.