Sunday, February 21, 2010

Prairie School Architecture

Every day when I drive to work I drive by a new police station. It is an excellent example of Prairie School architecture.



I don't know much about architecture. I am just one of those "I know what I like when I see it" people. This design style is characterized by large windows and often uses flat roofs and overhangs.



From what I understand, the idea is to create large, open living spaces. Thus the big windows and minimal use of walls.



I've always liked big windows. The idea of being able to sit inside yet feel like you are part of the outdoors is appealing to me.



Often I image such design in black and white. I'm not sure why. But I do.



This is a famous house in Pennsylvania known as Fallingwater. It was built in 1936 and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.



I have lived on the prairie all my life. Some people find beauty in mountains. Others in the ocean. But for me I love the prairie and its openness. And I like this style of architecture a lot.

Thanks for stopping by.

9 comments:

Jo said...

One of the places on my "must see" list is Fallingwater. It is such a good example of the architecture blending right into the surroundings, being part of the landscape. It is so beautiful...! I could very easily live in a Frank Lloyd Wright house, with Frank Lloyd Wright furniture. Oh, goodness.

Oddly enough, the Prairie School of architecture fits very well with the West Coast Landscape too, and if you drive along Marine Drive in West Vancouver, you will see a lot of it, with the houses built into the rocky cliffs along the shore, quite similar to Fallingwater.

That's a beautiful police station!

Anonymous said...

I love the architecture of FLW, but his furniture looks very uncomfortable. I need a bit more cushioning.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh, I like this style of architecture also. And a visit to Fallingwater is on my bucket list. I don't even have the words to describe how gorgeous and perfect I think it is.

Unknown said...

Hi Russell, thanks for stopping by and leaving me a nice comment.

This is very interesting and I wonder if this is the way they went with the new Battle of the Washita Museum in Cheyenne, as it looks very similar. It fits the area perfectly and is a fave building of mine.

Hilary said...

I would love a place with windows everywhere.. and neighbours a little further away than mine are currently.. I live in a townhouse. Nearby neighbours and a wall of windows would be a pane in the glass. ;)

Small City Scenes said...

Lots of windows and open-ness inside is a must for me. Few inside walls is perfect. Flar roofs are a no-no out here although you do see them We have too much rain. the school I worked out had a flat roof--a slight tilt--but we always had leaking problems. The great minds decided that subsequent schools to be patterend after this one because it looked so good in the landscape---all had leaking problems..
MB

Pauline said...

My eyes are so accustomed to steeply pitched roofs meant to shed snow and rain that flat roofs make me nervous. Lots of big windows and few walls sound great, though. In fact, I'd rather be outdoors...

Katy said...

I actually knew someone who stayed in Fallingwater for a month in the 1980s when it was used as a retreat house for poets. (not sure if they still do this or not). He described being there as the most surreal experiences of his life. I can only imagine.

Brenda said...

I have toured 2 Frank Lloyd Wright homes. One in Springfield, Illinois called the Dana Thomas House and his home in Scottsdale, Arizona called Taliesin West. Taliesin West was by far the most interesting for me because of the desert prairie openness feel of it. I almost got to tour Falling Water, but something came up and I was unable to. It is on my bucket list though.