Ahtesham Khan

Esha Tariq
Nida Siddiqi

A Presentation on Prairie Style of Architecture

CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. When, Where and How
3. Features of Prairie Style
4. Prominent architects
5. Case Study-Robie House
6. Case Study- Willits House
7. Case Study- Darvin Martin house
8. Inferences
Introduction
Developed by Frank Llyod Wright
The early 1900s.
Located across the US.
Pays homage to the environment.
Took ideas from Arts and Crafts movement.
Designs based on the philosophy of form

follow function.
Typically residential structures.
One to two stories.
Materials varied:
-Plaster with wood trim.
-Horizontal board and batten sidings.
-Bricks, stone.
 When, where and how?

Disclaimer: The video is not purely based on actual events. Scenarios have been created to

explain the adaptation process of Prairie style.

Key points to remember

Catastrophe of Chicago fire gave rise to opportunities for young architects as

there was a sudden need of redevelopment.
Chicago World Fair featured nearly 200 temporary buildings of predominantly
neoclassical architecture.
Frank Lloyd Wright promoted the idea of 'Organic architecture'.
In the words of F. L. Wright, the building should appear as if they were "married
to the ground."
Prairie style was significantly different from the revival movements.
Features of Prairie
Style Architecture
Strong use of Horizontal lines.

Flat or hipped roof with broad

eave

Windows assembled in horizontal

bands.

Craftmanship

Restrain in the use of decoration.

Blend with surrounding

Earthy and autumnal color palette

 Frank Lloyd Wright
Prominent Architects George W Mahr
William Gray Purcell
George Grant Elmslie
John S. Van Bergen
Inspiration taken from theories
of the following architects: Lawrence Buck
Ransom Buffalow
Louis Sullivan Barry Byrne
Charles Follen Mckim
Alfred Caldwell
Joseph Layman Silsbee
Alden B. Dow
William Drummond
Andrew Willatzen
 CASE STUDY 1

Robie House
Iconic American residential building.
Designed and built in 1908-1910
Exemplary expression of Prairie style.
Sternly horizontal in its elevation
The Autumn color of bricks and lime woke
the color palette of prairie.
Broad Balconies and terraces

are lined with sequence of

doors and windows.

Planters at every level.

Remarkable balance of texture

and color through materials.

Overhanging eaves and

cantilevered roof are provided.
 CASE STUDY 2

Willits House
Introduction

Location: Highland Park, Illinois, United States

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
Designed and built between 1902 and 1903.
Considered the first of Wright’s mature Prairie-style

designs.
Wright also designed most of the furniture in the

house.
Prairie Style Features.

Ground floor
Prairie Style Features.

Broad overhanging eaves and a hipped roof

Use of stained-glass windows and wooden
room screens
Horizontal lines in the facades.
Represents symmetrical facade to the street.
Wood frame and stucco system of
construction.
Band of multiple art windows.
 CASE STUDY 3

Darvin Martin House

Introduction
Location: 125 Jewett Parkway,

New York
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

between 1902 and 1905.

Set on 1.5-acre land, a complex

of 6 buildings.
The complex consists of Martin

house, Barton House, Pergola,

Carriage House, Conservatory,

Gardener's Cottage
The Martin House is a two-story
building with a floor area of

14,978 square feet

Prairie Style Features
Spacious living room connected to dining, porch

and library,
Central chimney.
Open plan where almost every room looks out

onto the gardens and trees on the property.

Ground Floor plan

Prairie Style Features
Sternly horizontal in its elevation
Hip roofs with large

overhanging eaves.
Windows assembled in

horizontal bands.
Strong integration of

architecture and landscape.

Masonry and timber construction

Art glass windows are used as the
only decorative element which also
serves the functional element by
providing privacy and ventilation
Inferences

Open planning to give wide spaces, inspired by prairie landscape

Extensive use of horizontal planes. Low clear heights. Vast terraces and overhangs.
Indigenous materials used, local craftsmanship was honored even for

contemporary structures
Individualistic approach. Features varied as per client's requirements
Structure should harmonize with the surroundings
Structural and aesthetic balance
A flow of nature was created inside the building.