| The
idea of syntopical reading was invented by Mortimer
Adler about the time the first Usonians were being
built and made famous in How
To Read a Book [rdtfBook].
The process is to read several books at once and
“engage” the authors in a dialog about
the deeper meanings contained in the works. Most
of the books
listed below are about Usonian Houses. There are
books that go broader to wright work in general and
even to the history and culture of the times. These
provide valuable context necessary for full understanding.
In my mind, these works constitute a minimal list
for approaching the subject intelligently. The information
contained in them and the knowledge thus created
by interactive reading and dialog, coupled with
real work experience, constitutes the cost-of-entry into
the postUsonian game. |
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| One
of the first thoughtful, detailed and credible academic
studies of Frank Lloyd Wright. A welcome book in
what was till then a sea of misinformation. Important
reading for technical understanding. |
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| This
is the story of Wright’s only plantation. Like
everything he did, he turned the rules upside down.
It is also the story of a remarkable restoration
effort and legitimate re-use of the property. I
include it here because, despite its size, this
is a Usonian at heart. |
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This
work walks you through the basic elements that
made Mr. Wright’s small house work in such a
remarkable manner. I provide a review of the
book at the link below.
[link] |
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| Another
serious book of analysis and an important read.
What Wright was really saying and doing has to
be taken in as free of contemporary filters as
possible. What conclusions you draw are your own.
The first task, however, is to understand. |
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| This
book is recently published and tells its story
in a direct, simple honest way. The reflections
of the children, now adults, who grew up in this
house are particularly important. The spirit and
the energy of post WWII America is captured here
- the Pratt’s decided what they wanted and went
out and did it. Remarkable! |
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| One
of several attempts to build a Usonian community
and perhaps the most successful. And, another story
of post WWII. The author joined the community early,
built a Wright-designed Usonian, lived there ever
since, and now tells the story of it all. |
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| The
first comprehensive study of the Usonian House.
Very well done. This book comprehensively details
the elements of the Usonian and shows how the standard
parts, when brought together correctly, created
a great variety of unique works. This is worth
many hours as the real lessons are subtle. |
|
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This
is a story about a remarkable couple and the
Usonian they built against all odds. They built
and lovingly lived in what is unquestionably one
of Mr. Wright greatest houses not matter time
or budget. This story illustrates the critical
relationship between client and architect - the
synergy that makes the unique result. This is
also the story of the opportunity that was the
USA.
[link] |
|
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| Any
study of Usonians starts with Schindler’s
own home built in the 1920s which is a case
of the the “student” leaping ahead of the master.
There is no doubt in my mind that Wright, who saw
the
house several times, took the hint and
re-trumped Schindler. The 1930s were a great renascence
for FLlw and the Usonians rank as art with Falling Water. |
|
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| What
is the CONTEXT in which the Usonians were
conceived? Broad Acre City was Mr. Wright’s focus
during the his work-draught of the late 1920s
and early years of the Fellowship and in it you
can
see the
seeds
of all
the work
he
did
in the 30s, 40s and 50s. The Living City, completed
just before he died, was his last statement on
his ideal cityscape. This became, in highly distorted
form, what today we call suburbia. |
|
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| Nearly 60 years of speeches by Frank Lloyd Wright defining his philosophy, work and organic architecture. The editor does a good job of selecting, organizing and setting the stage for this material which also includes many photos not to be found elsewhere - a worthwhile read. |
|
link:
a virtual tour of FLlw works |
| I
recommend that you read these books in three stages:
together, synoptically as Adler explicates, and do
this first
pass quickly.
This is a good weekend exercise. Then go back to
the individual works in some detail (always remembering
to jump back and forth between them as appropriate).
Finally, as you start thinking about your own habitat,
use these works as reference - not to copy - but
to extract inspiration and information from. Mr.
Wright practiced architecture for over four decades
before
he designed the first Usonian. These are simple houses
but the thought process behind them was not trivial.
They cannot even be copied today, let alone recreated,
by a superficial approach. Everything costs something
and the Usonians, while not expensive financially
for what they accomplished, cost understanding.
One reason why architecture is so expensive today
is
that far too often money is attempted as the substitute
for knowledge, skill and desire. You cannot buy a
valid postUsonian expression - you have to create it. |
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This book by Colin Davies is a blunt criticism of architects and their failure to embrace the issue of housing. It also is a comprehensive survey of the history of prefabrication in the West. My view of what makes architecture is different than what he presents which is a dichotomy between architecture and common work. I believe there is a third way with neither side” dominating. At any rate, his points cannot be ignored.
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| Return
To postUsonian Index |
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| Return
To post Usonian Prototypes |
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| Matt
Taylor
Elsewhere
May 18, 2004
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SolutionBox
voice of this document:
VISION • PHILOSOPHY • PROGRAM
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posted
May 18, 2004
revised
August 25, 2005
• 20040518.303009.mt • 20040520.988821.mt •
• 20040521234120.mt • 20050825.240981.mt •
(note:
this document is about 75% finished)
Matt
Taylor 615 525 7053
me@matttaylor.com
Copyright© Matt
Taylor 2004
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