Mission, Prairie, and

Organic Styles
HISTORYOFINTERIORDESIGN2

LADAY, MARY JOY M.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction of Mission style

01 • Architecture in Mission Style
• Interior Design in Mission Style

Introduction of Prairie style

02 • Architecture in Prairie Style
• Interior Design in Prairie Style

Introduction of Organic style

03 • Architecture in Organic Style
• Interior Design in Organic Style
INTRODUCTION OF MISSION STYLE

Mission style furniture soared to popularity in the early

1900’s. It was a style developed during what is known as the Arts
and Crafts movement, which reached the United States during the
turn of the 20th century. This movement began in contrast to the
overly ornate Victorian style that had dominated interior design
during most of the 1800’s.

Folks began to crave the fine workmanship that was lacking in

these newer mass-produced items, and it sparked renewed
interest in high-quality craftsmanship. The style that would
become known as Mission style was promoted by a man named
Gustav Stickley as being practical and organic. He maintained
that it was up to master craftsmen to bring integrity back to the
world of furniture making focusing on “honesty in construction and
truth to materials”.
 ARCHITECTURE IN MISSION STYLE
Mission architecture is generally noted by
several identifying features. Most are symmetrical
in design, but there are many with asymmetrical
floor plan concepts. The most identifying feature is
the mission shaped dormer or parapet roof
commonly covered with red tile roofing.
Overhanging eaves are wide with open rafters.
Porch roofs are supported by large square piers
that are connected by arches at the top. The exterior
This Crissy Field administrative building was
finish is usually stucco (smooth finish); however, constructed in 1921 in the Mission Revival style.
some examples do include brick, stone, and even
siding.
FORT WINFIELD SCOTT
Constructed on the Presidio in 1912 as the new
headquarters for the coastal artillery defense, was
one of the army’s first building projects in the Mission
Revival style. The new, large barracks and
administrative buildings were built with flat,
unadorned white stucco walls, decorative parapets
and red tile roofs.

Fort Winfield Scott’s design was considered a great success and eventually the Mission Revival style
became a visual tool that identified the army’s military presence. By the 1930s, the Mission Revival style
became so popular with the San Francisco-based army that they repainted most of their older buildings
off-white and replaced dark roofing material with new red clay tiles, in order to create a uniform
appearance.
FORT WINFIELD SCOTT

1. Mission-shaped roof parapet

2. Wide, overhanging eaves with

decorative brackets

3. Red clay roof tiles

4. Arched doorways

5. Deep window openings

without any framing, except

the sill.
 MISSION STYLE INTERIOR DESIGN

• Use Earthy Colors

Mission style decorating, although not considered

a modern style, is current in its color palette. Right in

sync with today’s trend toward earth tones, the

mission style draws most of its colors from nature.

 When the Arts and Crafts Movement reached the U.S., it
inspired a discussion of what art and design ideals should be
for Americans. This led to the development of the Craftsman
style aesthetic. From the Craftsman style, the term “Mission
style” was born. Furniture and decorations rendered in this
new style emphasized simplicity.

As he did with bold color accents, Frank Lloyd Wright

brought stained glass to the mission style design group. Often
featuring the brighter accent colors, stained glass
enlivens mission style spaces. The stained glass motifs that fit
this style are generally angular. They use lines, squares,
rectangles, and triangles instead of curves or circles in their
patterns.
LIGHTING FIXTURES

Quality of materials was the standard

of a home during the mission period

including: stain glass lighting fixtures,

brass hardware, hardwood molding. These

fixtures most commonly used in Dining

Rooms and Kitchens. This decorative

fixture works perfect with low ceilings.

 BARREL CHAIR
From Frank Lloyd Wright

A timeless design informed by exceptional constructive complexity,

the iconic Barrel chair was created in 1937 by Frank Lloyd Wright,
based on an original design dating from 1904. Epitomizing the
extraordinarily high standard of the MedaMade carpentry
workmanship, a synonym for quality and excellence, this barrel-shaped
armchair is composed of 37 parts, each fitting into the other with
pinpoint precision.
The base and the chair back are constructed from three pieces of
solid wood, bent at a different angles. Each of the three pieces is then cut
in two to counterbalance the tensions created during the steam-bending
and the drying processes. The two parts are then placed back-to-back STEAM-BENDING PROCESS
and glued together. The joints are all carved directly into the wood, all https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZxuWo
ahHA8
the details are hand-finished by Cassina’s carpenters.
 Desk
From Frank Lloyd Wright

When businessman H. F. Johnson Jr. set out to build new

offices for the S. C. Johnson company in Racine, Wisconsin, he
wanted “to get the greatest architect in the world.” To him, that was
Frank Lloyd Wright, renowned for his designs based on the
principles of nature that integrated exterior, interior, and
furnishings. The curved forms and earth tones of this desk and
armchair (1972.311) echo Wright’s architectural designs for the
project, which included rounded brick buildings filled with
columns that widened as they reached the ceiling. Although Wright
was known for resisting changes to his designs, the three-legged
chair proved unsteady and he altered later versions to have four
feet.
INTRODUCTION OF PRAIRIE STYLE

The Prairie style emerged in Chicago around 1900 from

the work of a group of young architects, including Frank Lloyd
Wright. These architects melded the ideals of the Arts and
Crafts movement, with its emphasis on nature, craftsmanship
and simplicity, and the work and writings of architect Louis
Sullivan. Prairie-style architecture was founded by Frank Lloyd
Wright and a group of young architects that Wright would refer
to as The New School of the Middle West. The movement came
after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The devastation opened up
several new building opportunities for young architects.
 CHARACTERISTICS
Wright thought of a Prairie-style house as a structure that was married to the ground. In other words, he
intended to create structures that replicated the flat, bare landscape of the American Midwest. In doing so, he
and his colleagues incorporated several key characteristics into their work.

Horizontal lines.
Many surfaces were positioned in horizontal ways, which is in contrast to the
Art Deco movement that had surfaces pointed upwards. Gutter downspouts and
other vertical elements were hidden in Prairie-style homes. Cantilevered roofs
were long, horizontal, and flat.

Handmade craftsmanship.
Similar to the Arts and Crafts movement, Prairie-style homes incorporated a
lot of hand-wrought woodwork and art glass. However, most enhancements were
subtly built into the structure and were not overly excessive or detailed. Windows
served as art, and a lot of furniture was made in place. This concept of built-in art
and furniture prevented new owners from adding non-essentials into the home.
Simple and natural woodwork.
This style wanted natural elements to shine in their pure form. The woodwork was kept
simple and incorporated smooth wood bands so the wood grain could be admired.

Open concept first floor.

The main room included an open living and dining room space. The only place that was hidden
was the kitchen.

Flow from inside to outside.

Instead of creating a floor plan based on an exterior layout, Prairie homes were built from the
inside out. There was an intentional flow from inside to outside.

Natural materials and motifs.

Exteriors were made with brick or stucco and usually included a large, central chimney.
Themes were nature-inspired and straightforward, like a simple rendition of a leaf or branch.

Massive walls of windows.

Windows were large and sometimes took up entire walls. They included art glass and other
features, so they seemed more like a piece of art.
ARCHITECTURE IN PRAIRIE STYLE

• ROBIE HOUSE
The layout of Robie House is a big departure
from more traditional homes of the era, beginning
with the front door—if you can find it! The
main entrance is tucked away on the short side of
the building and hidden under an overhanging
second story. Without a grand front door, even
finding your way inside the building is an act of
discovery—just as Frank Lloyd Wright intended.
The main living area is a long and free-flowing space, supported by reinforced concrete girders. The
living and dining rooms are separated by a massive fireplace and central stairs that connect all three floors
of the house. Servants’ quarters and a garage are located at the back end of the house, behind the dining
room. Bedrooms can be found on a very private third level.
ARCHITECTURE IN PRAIRIE STYLE

Prairie buildings often include:

• Strong geometry and massing, including large
central chimneys
• Brick or stucco exteriors
• Open, asymmetric floor plans
• Connected indoor and outdoor spaces
• Interior wood banding
• Restrained use of applied ornamentation
• Exploration of motifs: one shape or plant form
explored through furniture, wood carving,
plaster, art glass and other elements within a
building
PRAIRIE INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE

An authentic Prairie style home should look for the symmetrical

layouts and flat roofs – the most obvious elements of this style. In the
interior, check for extra insulation and touches like working
fireplaces or stone millwork. Especially around Chicago, you never
know if one of the homes you’re looking at could have been crafted
by Wright himself.
With their angular, modern exteriors, and traditional materials
and colorways, the best looks for a Prairie style home would be to
follow the wood tones from the exterior throughout the living room.
Think wood dining room tables, tufted armchairs, and stone
fireplaces. These homes are most commonly found in and around
Chicago where the temperature gets pretty low in the winters, so
decorate accordingly.
LIGHTING FIXTURES OF PRAIRIE STYLE
Prairie School lighting is known for having mostly
horizontal lines and hefty bases, echoing the look of the low-
slung Prairie homes, mimicking the rolling landscape. Wright
was well known for his designing the furniture, lighting and
stained glass windows that would go into the homes he designed.
A pair of Prairie School cast-iron
bridge lights
He and other architects/designers created lighting fixtures
that shared a similar look of being boxy in appearance and had
shades typically having a lantern form. They mostly featured slag
glass panels in geometric forms in varying neutral shades
evocative of nature: beiges, greens and rustic reds. Table lamps
often had sturdy oak bases and cast-iron framing. The term
bridge lamp usually refers to a floor lamp with a curved neck
A set of three lighting fixtures in
leading to the fixture but two Prairie School fixtures amber and white slag glass
 DOMINANT FURNITURE IN PRAIRIE STYLE

HARVEY ELLIS THREE-DOOR BUFFET

With inlays inspired by the designs of Harvey Ellis, this stately piece is
handcrafted in solid cherry or oak. It features veneer inlay panel construction
on the doors and traditional pinned mortise-and-tenon joinery on door
frames. The interior includes adjustable glass shelves with plate grooves, a
halogen canister light with dimmer switch, an adjustable wood shelf behind
the single door, and one long adjustable shelf behind the double doors. The
large center drawer contains a Pacific Silvercloth insert with cover.

HARVEY ELLIS SIDEBOARD

This gracious sideboard works perfectly in a dining room or as an

entryway statement piece. Whimsical Harvey Ellis inlaid door panels play off
of the sturdy construction of the gracefully arced front rail with pinned
tenons. A Pacific Silvercloth lines the top drawer. Available in solid oak or
cherry.
HARVEY ELLIS THREE-DOOR BUFFET HARVEY ELLIS SIDEBOARD
INTRODUCTION OF ORGANIC STYLE

The beginning of the 1930s saw a drastic change in the

approach to design and the emergence of new visual languages
that contrasted with the ideals of the Modern Movement.
Organic Design was pioneered by Frank Lloyd Wright who
believed in creating harmony between people and nature and
regarded architecture as a means of achieving a perfect balance
between the manmade and natural worlds. This belief was
expressed by the use of natural materials and smooth rounded
forms.
WHAT IS ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE?

Organic architecture is a type of architectural design

wherein buildings are inspired by, built around, and blend in
with their natural surroundings. The term organic
architecture was coined by the American architect Frank
Lloyd Wright. Organic designs do not try to infringe on
nature but instead coexist alongside it, creating a
composition that celebrates and is in conversation with the
natural world. An organic architecture refers to its
relationship with nature and unified use of styles and
natural materials that create a cohesive whole.
 PURPOSE OF ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE?
One of the defining principles of organic architecture is achieving a harmonious balance between
buildings, terrain, and humans. Several other qualities define the purpose and philosophy of
organic architecture:

• TO CREATE A UNIFIED ECOSYSTEM.

Organic designs are ecosystems unto themselves, one in which no structure or human footprint
dominates the preexisting land. Organic architecture is meant to be a natural extension of the land around it.

• TO INTERACT WITH NATURAL LIFE.

Nature is an integral part of organic architecture. Many of Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings epitomized
interdependence, so rocks, water, and plant life all factored into his works. His organic designs highlighted
the nature of materials, showcasing unadorned stone and wood—whatever was reflective of the
environment at hand. An organic building’s design is adapted to its surrounding landscape.

• TO CHART A JOURNEY THROUGH SPACE.

Light, sky visibility, and natural surroundings inform flow. Where sun best pours in dictates window
placement, and floorplans are generally open, creating an environment less interrupted by a series of rooms.
4 EXAMPLES OF ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE

• FALLINGWATER (1939):

Fallingwater, perhaps the most famous of

Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture, is a
few dozen miles outside of Pittsburgh in Bear
Run, Pennsylvania. The businessman Edgar J.
Kaufmann commissioned Wright to design his
family’s vacation home, which features a
waterfall rushing through the bottom of the
house, wooded surroundings, and locally
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENtku3xe_c0
quarried stone walls.
4 EXAMPLES OF ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE

• TALIESIN WEST (1937)

This Arizona home was Wright’s winter

house. It now operates as the Frank Lloyd
Wright Foundation headquarters. The walls
feature desert rocks, and the home’s colors—
greys, tawny yellows, and reds—reflect the
hues of the natural world around it. The
property also features a pavilion with a
translucent roof, inviting sunlight and
highlighting the open Arizona sky.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdEsHglG7m4
4 EXAMPLES OF ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE

• RÅDHUSET METRO STATION (1975):

Designed by Sigvard Olsson, Rådhuset

station in central Stockholm has exposed and

unsculpted bedrock that shows off the cave-like

features of this metro stop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i8NO3X2v74
4 EXAMPLES OF ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE

• TAMPERE CENTRAL LIBRARY (1986):

Architects Reima and Raili Pietilä

designed this main municipal library in
Tampere, Finland. This example of organic
architecture uses the Finnish rock Rapakivi
granite and features animal shapes and
glacial patterns.
ORGANIC INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE
Organic interior design is described as raw, earthy, rustic and textured in feel and atmosphere. It
incorporates the fields, forests, sky and ocean while using natural light, nature’s forms and recycled materials
in home décor, such as textiles, materials and accessories. The idea is to create a stylish environment, yet a relaxed
space to enjoy.

WENDELL CASTLE
Unique three-seater sofa, 1974 Pair of Lounge Chairs for the Organic Design
Stack-laminated walnut, leather Competition, Museum of Modern Art, 1941
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THOMANN L., (2020). WHAT IS PRAIRIE STYLE ARCHITECTURE. THE SPRUCE RETRIEVED IN
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but%20so%20was%20a%20keen%20eye%20for%20craftsmanship.

LATTERNER, T., (2021) PRAIRIE STYLE HOMES – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO GET
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homes