SESSION IX: Organic Modernism

Modernism had been experienced differently in the Old and New World. Rudolph Schindler and his

mentor Frank Lloyd Wright (better known for his methodology when designing) introduced it in America with a whole new connotation. They were making efforts to tying it with nature and the human experience of inhabiting a space. The main project of Wright was the Taliesin East

and the main project of Schindler was the Schindler House. Both consisted of the use of locally sourced materials, and more importantly, the relationship between a building and its natural surroundings.

The methodology of design of Frank Lloyd Wright, even when compared to Schindler, surpasses any great designer. His work is known as organic architecture due to its integration to surrounding nature and the use of locally produced materials. Early 20th century, after completing his masterpiece in Wisconsin, he moved to live and work to the Taliesin. Among the things he used in his designs, open space floor and wide windows were used to allow light and air flow, while integrating the environment to the design. Local limestone and sand were among the materials he used giving relevance to the surroundings.

Schindler followed Wright’s footsteps, designing based on Organic architecture and his Taliesin. He envisioned his own house and workspace in Schindler House or Kings Road House (illustrated on the left). Schindler’s designs inspired the new Southern California Modern style with open floors, on site construction, along with wood and his famous “sleeping porch”. This opened the possibility to sleep on the rooftops.

As one can see Wright and Schindler, both are pioneers in Modernism. Both taking into consideration what the client needs with nature interaction, bringing a primitive resemblance to the style. To put in other words; Giorgio Agamben said about their style that by "bringing us to the past, they bring us to the future".

Referencias:

• Craven, J. (n.d.). Exploring the 1922 Schindler House and the Architect Who Designed It. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www.thoughtco.com/rm-schindler-house-4064503

• Fiederer, L. (2016, March 16). AD Classics: Kings Road House / Rudolf Schindler. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www.archdaily.com/783384/ad-classics-kings-road-house-rudolf-schindler

• Getting Personal with Frank Lloyd Wright: Taliesin and Taliesin West. (2017, July 26). Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://franklloydwright.org/getting-personal-frank-lloyd-wright-taliesin-taliesin-west/

• Jones, I. M. (Director). (2017). Frank Lloyd Wright: The Man Who Built America [Video file]. UK: BBC. Retrieved October 17, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O7ax1KhJNM