Hollyhock Home Analysis

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Frank Lloyd Wright is best known for modern elements used in his designs. From his unique use of materials to his one of a kind furniture, Wright has shown time after time why his architecture is special. The Hollyhock home is no different. By the request of Aline Barnsdall, the Hollyhock flower was the main inspiration to the design. Wright uses the flower as the basic elements from the exterior walls to the interior furniture. Wright also used landscape elements to show modern elements. Through out the House, Wright expresses himself by connecting the interior shape with the exterior shape. Something architects were not doing on the west cost of the United States. The Hollyhock house was designed for a residence in Los Angeles for Aline …show more content…

Because of her love for theater, Barnsdall was obsessed about creating an outdoor theater for her new house. After conversations with Wright, Barnsdall purchased a city block known as Olive Hill. Barnsdall was looking into having a theatrical and luxurious combination of elements for the Hollyhock House. Although some interior features have arts and crafts characteristic, Wright expresses his ideas by the inside and outside being so different, they appear to be two different buildings. Wright helped pioneer the concept of open floor plan, with elements of one large room or a fireplace being the central axis point. Wright wanted to design space within the house to flow nicely. Rather than creating box like rooms, he uses many different elements to create connection throughout the house. With a combinations of open walls, high ceilings, and lowered floors, Wright is able create organic …show more content…

Wright designed the dinning room table and chairs to match the interior and exterior façade of the hollyhock flower. Wright had designed six wood ceiling grilles for the dining room, but was never installed due to project budgeting. All the living room desks, chairs, or indirect lighting was arranged based on a two sofas sets. Wright preferred to design all the interior details in order achieve a sense of visual harmony throughout the building environment. Prior to the hollyhock house, Wright designed the fireplace to be placed in the center of the plan as the “hearth” (heart) of the house. The hollyhock was no different playing the role of the heart of the house, however was not located in the center. In fact, Wright placed the fireplace as an “…unprecedented introduction of a half-octagonal pool directly in front of it. By combining fire and water, wright made a direct reference to the cosmic elements; above the pool he placed a skylight that directed the eye

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