Prairie Style
1900-1920
In the late 1890’s, well-known architect Frank Lloyd Wright, along with some other architects in Chicago, Illinois, pioneered a new architectural style conducive to the mostly flat landscape characteristic of the Midwest region of the United States. This style became an important fixture in the Arts and Crafts Movement.
A prairie is a stretch of open, relatively flat land covered in grasses and small shrubs with very little to no trees. Prairie style is consistent with the landscaping principle of natural transition. By creating a seamless flow between structures and the environment, these houses transition naturally from their level construction sites to blend with their
surroundings beneath the vast, wide-open Midwest sky.
The flat Prairie style sought to “fit architecture into the environment” (Massey, J. and Maxwell, S., 1996, p. 205), inviting the outdoors to become an important part of an interior space.
surroundings beneath the vast, wide-open Midwest sky.
The flat Prairie style sought to “fit architecture into the environment” (Massey, J. and Maxwell, S., 1996, p. 205), inviting the outdoors to become an important part of an interior space.
Key Elements
- Built low to the ground to mimic the flat, horizontal lines of the prairie region
- Large but plain chimneys, tall windows, and masonry piers created vertical lines (mimicking the occasional tree found on the prairie)
- Simple exterior (outside) walls
- Open interior (inside) floor plans
- Shallow-pitched, gently sloping, hipped roofs
- Large, wide (broad) eaves or overhangs
- Strong emphasis on left-to-right horizontal lines
- Casement windows, sometimes with stained-glass windows
- Ribbon windows (3 or more windows are placed together)
- Built using very few materials (i.e., light-colored stucco, wood, or preferably bricks)
- French doors with small panes of glass
- Doors and windows that encouraged natural sunlight to permeate the walls
- Low porches and outreaching walls
- Sturdy, square pillars supporting corner walls
Typical elements of Prairie Style. http://www.westchicago.org/departments/Prairie.html (image used for educational purposes only)
Prairie Style plans by Sarah Susanka, http://www.houseplans.com/exclusive/sarah-susanka
Important Historical Events
- The Progressive Era (1890-1913)
- The Industrial Revolution (turn of the century)
- The Wright Brothers built the first successful airplane (1903)
- Einstein presents his “Theory of Relativity” (1905)
- Henry Ford invents the Model-T automobile (1908)
- Sears & Roebuck introduces the mail order house kit (1908)
- The Titanic sinks (1912)
- United States joins in World War I (1917)
- Melting Pot of Immigrants in New York City (Ellis Island)
- The Progressive Era (1890-1913)
- The Industrial Revolution (turn of the century)
- The Wright Brothers built the first successful airplane (1903)
- Einstein presents his “Theory of Relativity” (1905)
- Henry Ford invents the Model-T automobile (1908)
- Sears & Roebuck introduces the mail order house kit (1908)
- The Titanic sinks (1912)
- United States joins in World War I (1917)
- Melting Pot of Immigrants in New York City (Ellis Island)
3D Tour of Falling Water
by Cristobal Vila
Related Websites
A Digital Archive of American Architecture
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/20house.html
About.com Architecture
http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/The-Robie-House.htm
Real Virtual: Representing Architectural Time and Space
http://www.learn.columbia.edu/ha/html/19c.html
House of Antique Hardware
http://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/site/timeline/tl_artsandcrafts.html
America on the Move
http://amhistory.si.edu/onthemove/index.html
About.com 20th Century History
http://history1900s.about.com/od/timelines/tp/1900timeline.htm
Weekend Gardener - Landscaping
http://www.weekendgardener.net/gardeningdesign/basic-landscape-design3-080908.htm
A Digital Archive of American Architecture
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/20house.html
About.com Architecture
http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/The-Robie-House.htm
Real Virtual: Representing Architectural Time and Space
http://www.learn.columbia.edu/ha/html/19c.html
House of Antique Hardware
http://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/site/timeline/tl_artsandcrafts.html
America on the Move
http://amhistory.si.edu/onthemove/index.html
About.com 20th Century History
http://history1900s.about.com/od/timelines/tp/1900timeline.htm
Weekend Gardener - Landscaping
http://www.weekendgardener.net/gardeningdesign/basic-landscape-design3-080908.htm
Bibliography
Baker, John Milner. American House Styles: A Concise Guide. New York: W.W. Norton, 1994. Print. Pages 112-113.
Massey, James C., and Shirley Maxwell. House Styles in America. New York, NY: Penguin Studio, 1996. Print. Pages 201-209.
McAlester, Virginia, and A. Lee McAlester. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Knopf, 1984. Print. Pages 438-451.
Pfieffer, Bruce Brooks. Frank Lloyd Wright: The Masterworks. New York: Rizzoli, 1993. Print.
Van Buren, Maurie. House Styles at a Glance. Atlanta, GA: Longstreet Pr., 1991. Print. Pages 78-79.
Walker, Lester. American Shelter: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Home. Woodstock, NY: Overlook, 1981. Print. Pages 180-185.
Baker, John Milner. American House Styles: A Concise Guide. New York: W.W. Norton, 1994. Print. Pages 112-113.
Massey, James C., and Shirley Maxwell. House Styles in America. New York, NY: Penguin Studio, 1996. Print. Pages 201-209.
McAlester, Virginia, and A. Lee McAlester. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Knopf, 1984. Print. Pages 438-451.
Pfieffer, Bruce Brooks. Frank Lloyd Wright: The Masterworks. New York: Rizzoli, 1993. Print.
Van Buren, Maurie. House Styles at a Glance. Atlanta, GA: Longstreet Pr., 1991. Print. Pages 78-79.
Walker, Lester. American Shelter: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Home. Woodstock, NY: Overlook, 1981. Print. Pages 180-185.