Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian houses: The case for organic architecture

by John Sergeant

Book Overview

Looks at the last period in Wright's career, reassessing his Usonian houses, his Taliesin working communities, and his plan for Broadacre City. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823071774
• ISBN13: 9780823071777
• Release Date: June 1976
• Publisher: Whitney Library of Design
• Length: 207 Pages
• Weight: 2.35 lbs.

Customer Reviews

One of a kind book

This book covers material available no where else. The depth with which the author goes makes the material priceless.

A Superb in Depth Study of FLW's Architectural Concepts

This book is a must have for anyone who is interested in Frank Lloyd Wright's 'organic' philosophy. It is one of the few books that actually discusses his building philosophy in depth. His 'Usonian' concepts are well illustrated although more up to date color photographs are probably required. This book also contains a quick biography of FLW as well as articles from the 'House and Homes' magazines written in 1958. In one of these articles are 32 extremely valuable Frank Lloyd Wright pointers on how to get the most from a small space. This book is a real gem.

Affordable Wright houses

This is a great book for anyone who is considering an architect for a new home, or is a Wright fan. This book comprehensively discusses and illustrates a type of house design that is actually affordable in this day, unlike many of Wright's more famous Prairie designs (which preceded the buildings examined here). This is the only book on Usonians I know that deeply analyzes and lets you see how Wright's magic was worked, although that can become rather technical in nature. But if you are planning a home, and want it to be an exhilarating work of art, I think you need these details badly. About the only thing I didn't learn of Usonians here was the importance of the diagonal, or oblique, in developing Wright's floor plans, generating their "overlapping" spaces and spatial flow despite the rigid basic module.

The Precedent for great home design.

All modern movements in home design found precedent in the Usonian design principals. This book is a must read for anyone, even the serious scholar of sustainable home design that brings people lives joy. The information contained covers the entire spectrum of integrated design from master planning to the efficient details of thermal design for a specific climate and the details in between. Offered are insights for those looking to design or build a well thought through home that expresses your individual belief in simplicity, repose, and a connection to nature, in a honest, sincere, and beautiful expression that elevates your life everyday.Anyone who has ever beheld a Usonian home will agree that color photographs would make this book even better. However, books with great color photographs often do not have detail photographs, text and floor plan drawings this good.

Best current analysis of FLW's ideas on organic design

Frank Lloyd Wright's greatest contribution to American home design is his to answer to questions about how do you build low-cost housing suitable for the modern middle-class American family. His answers were the several dozen Usonian homes he designed from the 1930's until his death. These were usually smaller homes suited for middle-class budgets and needs. The Usonian and Organic design ideas have influenced all modern homes. Our open informal designs with great rooms connected to patios and decks, carports, and the use of plywood and other standard manufactured materials to lower on site construction costs are just some of the ideas popularized by Wright's designs. John Sergeant gives a very complete analysis of the five principle types of Usonion design: polliwog, diagonal, in-line, hexagonal, and raised. Floor plans and photos accompany the text. Very good cross referances and extensive notes for those interested in further study. The analysis goes beyond Usonian homes. Sergeant also addresses FLW's ideas on city planning, environmental awareness, and cooperative communities. "Appendix A: A Spatial Analysis of Usonian Houses" shows that FLW's ideas regarding space and environment are much more advanced with the Usonian designs even though these homes were quite a bit smaller than his more famous residential designs. If there is failing, it is the lack of information relating to the actual design details. No drawings from the FLW archives regarding the furniture design (not even the builtins), fireplace design, and outdoor landscape plans. This book is well worth adding to your home library because it offers much of value after second and third readings.