How Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unique Architectural Style Could Inspire Your Own Home’s Design

You have probably seen pictures of Fallingwater, a house in southwestern Pennsylvania that was built in 1935. What you may not realize is that Fallingwater is considered one of the best works of American architecture in history. It’s no wonder; it was created by Frank Lloyd Wright. Before his death in 1959, Wright was an architect who completed more than 530 buildings and designed nearly 500 more. He played a key role in the advancement of architecture in the 20th century. If you’re currently designing your own home, you might consider incorporating some of Wright’s ideas from his most popular homes.

Taliesin

What better place to start than Frank Lloyd Wright’s own home? He spent nearly 50 years in Taliesin, his home and studio in southern Wisconsin. Today, the limestone complex doubles as a public point of interest and one of the most renowned schools of architecture in the world. If you love lots of natural light, consider modeling your own home after Wright’s bedroom at Taliesin. Two walls of windows, including double doors leading to a spacious patio, line the room. Ceiling cutouts add even more light and a perfect way to stargaze even on the coldest of nights.

B. Harley Bradley House

Constructed in 1900, the B. Harley Bradley House was Wright’s first Prairie-style home, a style known for its low, overhanging roofs, grouped windows, secluded entrances, and open floor plans. Of course, it was made Wright’s own with its strong use of horizontal lines both inside and outside the home. When paired with the proper landscaping, this architecture is an excellent choice for people who prefer exterior privacy but spacious interiors. Today, Wright of Kankakee operates the B. Harley Bradley House and provides tours seven days a week.

Cedar Rock

Located in Independence, Iowa, Cedar Rock is such an important part of American architectural history that it has its own state park. The home, which is situated on the banks of the Wapsipinicon River, is deeply imprinted with Wright’s handiwork; he even designed the furniture and picked out the home’s drapes and carpets. Cedar Rock was his first home in the Usonian style, which you may recognize as the foundation of the ranch-style homes of the 1960s. Because these plans were meant for middle-class families, homes like the ones in Cedar Rock were often recreated by custom home builders Central Ohio and all over the Midwest. You’re likely to find a Ranch-style home reminiscent of this architectural mainstay in nearly any suburb in any city across the country. You may have even grown up in one!

Kentuck Knob

Nestled among the beauty of Chalk Hill, Pennsylvania, you’ll find another of Wright’s Usonian homes, Kentuck Knob. This spacious one-story is made of red cypress and sandstone, a mix of natural materials meant to help it blend in with the surrounding landscape. The gorgeous open floor plan is one that rustic enthusiasts often love and includes exposed wood, a large stone fireplace, and plenty of natural light. If you are someone who wants a custom “log cabin” without the actual logs, Kentuck Knob may be an excellent point of inspiration for your architect.

Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the greatest architectural minds of our time, and his work can never be duplicated. That doesn’t mean you can’t use him for inspiration, though. Maybe you’d like to build a family-friendly oasis with plenty of natural light and lots of open space for the kids to place. Perhaps you prefer the romantic sophistication of a property like Kentuck Knob. No matter your style, a high-quality, experienced architect of today can help you achieve building the home you’ve always wanted.