Frank Lloyd Wright, Organic Architecture & Art Glass

Hi Families!

Brooke from Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust visited Beye Discovery on March 7th and March 14th to share Wright's formative ideas about architecture and to reveal the ways in which nature, especially that of the prairies, influenced his work.

On the 7th, Brooke also referenced many animals and insects that design space and create marvelous habitats, from termites to bees and bower birds. After a very informative power point presentation, Brooke demonstrated how the students could design their own habitat, beginning with shaped templates to create a floor plan. She also challenged them to include a specific number of rooms within their habitat. Next, students identified the placement of doors and windows in their space. Then, using a selection of supplies that Brooke brought to the workshop, the students could build upward to complete the habitat. Some very original ideas grew from this exploration and you can view the completed designs below!

Brooke laying down shapes that represent specific rooms in the floor plan

Brooke with her completed floor plan

Brooke demonstrating how the selected combination of shapes created her floor plan

Brooke, working with Suzanne (left) and Leila (center)

Dexter (looks like Frank Gehry may have a future competitor!)

Elizabeth, with bedroom featured

Hugo

Jessica

Joel

Liam

Matthew

Aidan

Mikel

Hata working with Suzanne

On the 14th of March, Brooke returned to Beye Discovery to introduce Wright's integration of art glass into his architectural designs. She presented a power point that began with a brief history of Wright and his mentor, Louis Sullivan, followed by beautiful exemplars of Wright's art glass designs. Students enjoyed sharing their ideas about items from nature that may have influenced Wright's art glass designs.

For the project, Brooke provided translucent paper, colored pencils and photocopies of Wright's art glass designs to inspire students in the creation of their own art glass designs. In the photographs below, the light streaming in from the windows provides a glimpse of how magnificent these will look taped to a window.

Brooke's art glass design, influenced by Wright

Leila applying the border to her design

Hugo

Jessica

Aidan

Mikel

Elizabeth

Hugo

Liam

Aidan

Emerson

Hugo

Elizabeth

Leila

Jessica

Liam

While the children were working, Brooke also invited the students to see how Froebel blocks were influential to Wright's development. A huge thank you to Brooke for sharing her knowledge of Frank Lloyd Wright and for providing such engaging and educational projects for us!!!

Hugo

Leila (foreground) and Jessica (center) with Brooke