comparative study between frank lloyd wright and japanese architecture

8/22/2019 Comparative Study between Frank Lloyd Wright and Japanese Architecture

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Comparative Essay 1

Comparative Study between Frank Lloyd Wright and Japanese Architecture

Johann Angelo Britto

Modern Architectural History

Judith Gibson-Vick

Thursday, March 7, 2012


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Comparative Essay 2

Frank Lloyd and Japanese Architecture

Architecture reflects mankinds artistic and engineering achievements. A

building may merely be used to house people or property, but it represents the

designs and structural marvels of that specific period. As we move from one

architectural period to another, we find individuals who have contributed greatly to

their respective architectural periods and left their mark on the growing world of art

and architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright is one such individual who has changed the

way we look at homes and buildings today. He is considered by many as the

greatest architect in American history. He as built pieces of architecture that is

marvelled by artists and aspiring architects today.

Americas premier architect, Frank Lloyd Wright was born in the Richland

Center, Wisconsin on June 8, 1867. Anna Lloyd Jones Wright, his mother was the

driving force that helped him become the architect that people remember today. She

believed it was in his destiny to become an architect and her responsibility in helping

him fulfil it.

He attended college at the University of Wisconsin in 1884. He was

determined to be an architect. Even though the university didnt offer architecture, he

stayed there and attended engineering classes. This is where he got some

architectural experience from doing construction on the college. Later in 1887 he

worked for the firm of Adler and Sullivan. Wrights first constructions were homes.

Frank mastered the art of making the house blend with its surroundings, as it were

grown from the ground. He achieved this by adding objects on to the house, which

made it fit its natural environment.


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Comparative Essay 3

Frank Lloyd Wright was greatly influenced by Japanese architecture. It was

the Colombian Fair in 1873 where he was first introduced and became fascinated

with Japanese culture. A Japanese Pavilion, Ho-o-den which was exhibited at the

fair proved to be instrumental in Wright's fascination of Japanese architecture, as it

was the first time; he was able to explore Asia and Asian culture without physically

having to travel there. Wright was a big collector of Japanese prints and textiles and

the influence of Japanese design and architecture made him visit Japan in February

1905.

Austere methods of construction, lightweight materials and porous

boundaries between inside and outside are all hallmarks of traditional Japanese

architecture. The western architects built houses and buildings that could withstand

harsh forces of nature. They used strong and heavy materials which overpower

nature and help them make the tall and monumental building we so admire today.

The Japanese on the other hand, built with nature. They used wood as a building

material which went in harmony with the surroundings and embraced nature. To this

day we can still see some of Japans oldest buildings and temples standing in wood.

In Western architecture we often see spires and other vertical features which

signify Gods omnipotent powerover all things. Japanese temples and shrines

comprised the horizontal and were petit which were built to be part of nature rather

than stand out like their western counterparts.

Minimalist design was encouraged by architects of Japan. Contrary to the

Western architects who have traditionally tried to make to make their buildings

interesting to look at by adding unnecessary decorations and arranging modules of

differing heights, Japanese architects focused on making their structures sublime


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Comparative Essay 4

and mysterious on a horizontal level. When it comes to Japanese architecture you

start with one room and put a great amount of effort to get that right before moving

on to the next room.

Japans less popular and smallerbuildings and temples caught Wrights

attention. The horizontal layouts of Japanese buildings fascinated Wright, as it

showed him the principles of simplicity, monumentality, and horizontality. These

would become the building blocks of his architectural style.

The foundations and framework of the Japanese buildings influenced Frank

Lloyd Wright. The Japanese idea of buildings not being frozen in a specific time or

place inspired Wright and was reflected in many of his works. This was different from

the Western mentality towards preservation and reformation. The Westerners built a

building that is defined by the specific historical moment from which it was produced.

Wright saw the Japanese as not having the same sense of attachment, as they

regarded a building being in a continuous state of change. Japanese believed that a

building could be renovated and reconstructed a number of times and remain the

same, only its phase changed.

The greenery of Japan, as well as Japanese tea gardens influenced Wright

during his trip to Japan. Wright He implemented this concept in his architectural

designs where he aimed at creating a sense of continuity between the interior and

exterior elements of a house and garden. He had an idea that nature like

architecture could be simplified to its basic geometric elements of line and shape.

(Riccardo Cardilli, 2010)


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Comparative Essay 5

Between the eighth and twelfth century, Japan was under the Heian Reign.

During this time shinden-zukuri was a popular type of architecture. Its is a Japanese

style of architecture independent of and Chinese inspirations. The layout comprised

a central sleeping room known as shinden, three pavilions known as tai no ya with

adjoining verandas known as Wataridono, and two long corridors called Ro. This

traditional Japanese style was depicted in many of Wrights architectural marvels.

Frank Lloyd Wright was responsible for the start of Usonia Homes. These

include a planned community in the Town of Mount Pleasant which is adjacent to the

village ofPleasantville, New York. The entire layout and design of the homes were

under Wrights responsibility. Three homes out of the forty seven that were part of

the project were designed by Wright, while the rest were done by architects: Paul

Schweikher, Theodore Dixon Bower, Ulrich Franzen, Kaneji Domoto, Aaron Resnick

and David Henkenwho was Wrights apprentice.

Wright planned the layout of the neighbourhood in such a way that it would

follow a circular pattern, which helped conserve majority of trees in the vicinity and

"encouraging the flow of the land". The homes were themed with Wrights organic

philosophy of style. Usonia was the name given to the community in homage to

Wright and his goal of the togetherness of Americans.

The community characterised of narrow roads which gracefully twisted and

chicaned, birds sitting on windowsills, antlers roaming and maple trees in

abundance. Nature dominated the community as sixty percent was forest and

meadow. The houses embraced nature and nestled into its surroundings, as

naturally as the tresses and grass around it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pleasant,_New_Yorkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasantville,_New_Yorkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Yorkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulrich_Franzenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaneji_Domotohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaneji_Domotohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulrich_Franzenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Yorkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasantville,_New_Yorkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pleasant,_New_York


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Comparative Essay 6

Wrights more popular and grand homes appeared to have a variety of

Japanese qualities. However, the Usonian home was where the true Japanese

architectural philosophies could be found. The homes (Japanese and Usonian

homes) which initially appear very different, in reality are very similar when it comes

to conceptualization and implementation. These similarities are characterised by four

features that make them relatives. First, the entryway stands out to enhance the

experiential quality of the home. Secondly, the houses use nature as an ingredient to

building, connecting the inside of the home to its surroundings. Thirdly, the basic

structure of the two types of houses includes a fondness for open and contempt

towards the common box shape of the house. Finally, aesthetic simplicity is a feature

that can be seen in both houses. Within each category as well, the implementations

of these concepts produce equivalent structural qualities in both the Usonian and

Japanese house. (Alexandra Black, 2000)

Frank Lloyd Wright house Zimmerman House ManchesterURL: http://www.e-architect.co.uk/boston/new_england_buildings.htm

Japanese houses are popular for having a foyer at the entrance. This is where

the visitors removed their shoes before entering the actual house. This helped in the

transition from the outside to the inside of the house. We see in the Wright homes a

foyer is also included. The foyer is mainly used to welcome the visitor and also serve


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Comparative Essay 7

as protection from the outside dust and other elements. It also helped in providing an

enlarged effect that Wright was so famous for. As the visitor enters, the ceilings are

raised which makes the actual space look open and grand.

Both Wright and the Japanese believed that a house should embrace its

surrounding. It should not be a division between the inhabitants and the

surroundings but on the other hand entice them to feel the nature around them.

experience it more deeply. The Usonian and Japanese homes achieved this by

using nature as a decoration of the house and making it a vital contributor to the

houses beauty. Gardens were popular among the houses and played an important

role to bring harmony between the interior and exterior. The walls, windows, lighting,

and materials also were used to reveal the beauty of nature.

Living Area of an Usonian House and Japanese House and natureURL:http://www.galenfrysinger.com/iowa_cedar_rock.htmURL: http://www.onelifejapan.com/tours/thatch_roof_volunteer.html

Japanese houses had natural lighting and were commonly illuminated by

candles. Wright could not stick to this concept in America for the Usonian homes. He

managed to use lighting as subtly as possible. Large panels of open glass and

windows were uses whenever possible. The fireplace also provided light and heat
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/iowa_cedar_rock.htmhttp://www.galenfrysinger.com/iowa_cedar_rock.htmhttp://www.galenfrysinger.com/iowa_cedar_rock.htmhttp://www.galenfrysinger.com/iowa_cedar_rock.htm


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Comparative Essay 8

during evenings. After sunset, Wright used smaller, soft lighting sources that were

placed within the houses structural lines. These light sources were hidden and

intended to reflect off of the ceilings and walls to provide a subtle sunlight effect.

Some might question Wrights direct connection with Japanese architectural

elements. However, it is certain that he adopted Japanese theories to aid his

architectural brilliance, which is seen clearly in the comparisons between the

Usonian Houses and Japanese homes. The Usonian house symbolises a

reincarnation of the Japanese home which is for a modern everyday human being.

Whether the Japanese influence was intentional or not, Wright has shown through

his works that traditional Japanese theories of architecture pertain to today demand

and livelihood to provide a house that is organic and affordable. (Pfeiffer, 1918)

The world is growing and diverse cultures are being exposed to wider reaches

of the globe. Traditional Japanese homes would be a myth in North America.

However, the ideas that are instilled in Japanese homes and the Usonian houses of

the 1900s have inspired simple, elegant, organic, inexpensive architecture today. An

architect must not dwell on past building designs and, but to implement the principles

that has been carried on from the past and provide the world with appropriate

architectural products for the present. The Japanese were pioneers at this and so

was Frank Lloyd Wright who inspires aspiring and experienced architect of today to

do the same.


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Comparative Essay 9

References

Black, Alexandra (2000). The Japanese House: Architecture and Interiors. Boston:

Tuttle Publishing.

Ishimoto, Tatsuo and Kiyoko. (1963) The Japanese House: Its Interior and Exterior.

New York: Bonanza Books.

Itoh, Teiji. (1972). The Classic Tradition in Japanese Architecture: Modern Versions

of the Sukiya Style. New York: Weatherhill, 1972.

Linda Carla (1994). Frank Lloyd Wrights Usonian Houses. San Francisco:

Pomegranate Artbooks.

Maddex, Diane (1976). Frank Lloyd Wrights Usonian Houses: The Case for Organic

Architecture. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications.

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