THEORY OF DESIGN- II

ASSIGNMENT 2

MARTIN HOUSE
BY: AR. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
SUBMITTED BY:
JAYA VERMA
1999009 / 1917584
 ABOUT THE ARCHITECT
1867-1959
“Nature is my manifestation of
God.
I go to nature every day for
inspiration in the day's work.”
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
• American architect, interior designer, writer & educator
• Designed more than 1000 structures including
innovative offices, churches, schools, skyscrapers,
hotels, museums, and other commercial projects
• Believed in designing structures in harmony with
humanity and its environment – Organic Architecture
• Design solution was to view the details of a single
independent mind including all major & minor
ornamental elements
• Basic principles involve- organic colours, simple
geometric shapes, strong horizontal lines& integration of
building with natural surroundings
 INTRODUCTION
 Project- Martin House
 Project type- Residential
 Location- Buffalo, New York
 Year of completion- 1904
 Client- Darwin D. Martin, Delta &
George Barton
 Current status- National historic
landmark • One of the Wright’s elaborate Prairie style
design denoting organic architecture
 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
 Client’s idea to have headquarters (Larking
building) designed for his soap company by
the architect
 To execute , a residence has to be designed
first
 The resulting complex involves 6 structures
i.e. main house, sister Delta’s house, a
pergola, conservatory, carriage house &
gardener’s cottage
 A visitor’s centre has been added to the
complex during resurrection over time by
Toshiko Mori Architects
 At present, it is being utilised in temporary
exhibitions, guided tours, educational
activities, and creative workshops, and
special events.
 MARTIN HOUSE- MAIN BUILDING

Ground Floor Plan First Floor Plan

• Large size & open plan unlike Wright's other • Zoning- Private spaces involving bedrooms &
prairie style houses a sewing room
• Zoning- Semi- private spaces
 SALIENT FEATURES
 Features strong horizontal lines as per the  Has one of the first open-concept living/dining
prairie style spaces

 Modern style kitchen involves under

 Use of long & lean Roman bricks throughout
mounted sinks, white solid surface
the building countertops & glass-fronted cabinets
• Nearly 400 stained art glass skylights in
the main living room ceiling bring the
natural light in & to visually connect
exterior views with the spaces
within
• The 100-foot long covered Pergola
has glass tiles installed in the floor
to let in light below
• Pergola leads to a 16-foot tall statue
of the Winged Victory of Samothrace
installed in the Conservatory at the
far end
• Martin house visitors’ centre - a single-story
steel-and-glass building include temporary
exhibitions, guided tours, educational
activities, creative workshops and special
events
 CONCLUSION
 Martin House is characterized by its
spatial openness, horizontal planes,
pier and cantilever construction, and
palette of natural colours and
materials.

 Art glass, furnishings, and other

creative design elements rise to a bold
new vision of the home as a total work
of art.

 A true prairie style National Historic

Landmark and a premier heritage
destination.
FALLINGWATER
BY: FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
 INTRODUCTION
 Project- Fallingwater
 Project type- Residential
 Location- Mill Run,
Pennsylvania,United States
 Year of construction- 1936-1939
 Client- Edgar J. Kaufmann
 Current status- UNESCO World
Heritage Site & National historic
landmark
• An extraordinary house that, physically
and spiritually embrace the natural world
 SALIENT FEATURES
 Inspiration from Japanese
Architecture to create harmony
between man and nature- Organic
Architecture
 Integrated the design of the house
with the waterfall itself, placing it
right on top of it
 From daring cantilevers to its corner
window detail and constant sound of
the waterfall, it is the physical and
spiritual occurrence of man and
architecture in harmony with nature
 Circulation through the house
consists of dark, narrow passageways
ROBIE HOUSE
BY: FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
 INTRODUCTION
 Project- Robie House
 Project type- Residential
 Location- Chicago, United States
 Year of construction- 1908-1910
 Client- Frederick C. Robie
 Architecture style – Prairie Style
Housing
• A magnificent work of art- one of the seven
most notable residences ever built in
America
 SALIENT FEATURES
 A three-storey house creates a clever
arrangement of public and private spaces
 Overlapping of planes allowed interior
spaces expand towards the outdoor
 The program of the house includes a
living room, a dining room, a kitchen, a
billiards room, four bedrooms, and a
servant's wing
 Rooms were determined through a
modular grid system with the 4' window
mullions to allow light into the house
 Projecting cantilevered roof eaves,
continuous bands of art-glass windows,
and the use of roman bricks emphasize
the horizontal line
THANK YOU !