Why Frank Lloyd Wright Was a Genius Architect

Frank Lloyd Wright was a genius. A claim he would have no issue making himself.
Wright had a prolific career and constantly reinvented himself. The attention to detail he gave to each one of his designs, inside and out, is remarkable.
In this video we mostly look at his home designs but also dive into his fascinating life.
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Primary References:
"Many Masks: A Life of Frank Lloyd Wright" by Brendan Gill
"Frank Lloyd Wright: An Autobiography" by Frank Lloyd Wright
"Ken Burns: American Lives" Episodes 5 & 6 on Frank Lloyd Wright
"The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright" lectures by Federico von Borstel
The Internet
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Photography:
Library of Congress
Wikimedia Commons
Getty Images
Shutterstock
Flickr Creative Commons
Music:
Shutterstock
Host: Marty Berman

[@fragout9575]

What most people don't know is, he never graduated from the school of architecture. He left school and began working for Adler & Sullivan in Chicago.

[@fragout9575]

@@roh_son Thank you for the correction.

[@davidsimonyan5794]

And it feels.

[@georgemckeon6710]

I drove over 6 hours to visit Falling Water. Totally worth it.

[@antoniosoul]

It's about a 6 hour drive from me, and I've always wanted to make the trip.

[@georgemckeon6710]

@@antoniosoul Do it! Make a weekend of it.

[@agumon1605]

Hope i can afford to go there after this rona world outbreak ends

[@GarrettCorbin]

Flying across the country to see it in September ;) can't wait

[@modelleg]

Did you visit Kentuck Knob? That little masterpiece is considered by some Wright aficionados as being even better than the Kaufmann house.

[@jasondelotel]

I studied architecture in college for 8 years. Frank was the best architect that has ever lived. Absolute genius who was really in touch with art and nature. No one else compares to Frank. He was way ahead of his time. Absolutely spiritual and unique. No one will ever be better at architecture- ever! Thank you Frank for all of your beautiful work. It is an inspiration and a blessing to all!

[@michaelsimmons8447]

Hardly mentioned was Wright's greatest achievement: the Taliesin Fellowship, which until 2020, evolved and existed at Taliesin and Taliesin West as The School of Architecture (@tsoa). This radically experimental (and yet, fully accredited) School of Architecture requires students to build their own dwellings in the desert and live in them in order to earn their Masters degree in Architecture. Until the School was kicked out of Taliesin, it was the living embodiment of Wright's organic principles in which the Architecture, its End Users, and Nature (with a capital 'N') coexist in harmony.

[@stewarthicks]

Your video-making and narrativizing skills are incredible. Congrats. I wish I had a fraction of your skills.

[@bungal4806]

🙏🙏🙏

[@osamaamir1268]

Wow ur vedios are great to

[@mikehenson819]

Hey Stewart; I believe you underestimate your skills. While this guy did a great job( my hats off to him here), I think you do an equally good job with your vids as well.

[@mileshall9235]

Stewart. Nah, your vids are great. No need for extra attempts at pizzaz. Many of us prefer no BS. There are enough adds out there for that.

[@fragout9575]

@StewartHicks, I love watching your videos just the same!!! Discovering your channel helped me focus my own career and goals!!

[@mishmohd]

something rarely mentioned when talking about architects is that unless they come from well off families its really difficult to do what Lloyd has done.

[@shaggybreeks]

Connections and reputation. It helps to know the Wright people.

[@danielmcdonald3527]

Very well done, gives the layman a good intro to FLW and architecture. Thanks!

[@bungal4806]

Thank you! Appreciate the comment

[@cptcosmo]

FLW and one of his students, Paolo Soleri (Arcosanti, book "Arcology: City in the Image of Man") are the designers that inspired me to become an Architect.

[@joannakoter9159]

DANG I LOVE THIS VIDEO Also have a class on FLW in half an hour so it's gonna be a blast. Thanks for making this x

[@bungal4806]

Thank you! And enjoy the class.

[@stevenwilgus5422]

I frequent Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, Arkansas. It features the Bachman-Wilson House originally built and designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright in Millstone, New Jersey for of course Abraham Wilson and Gloria Bachman in 1954. It was then acquired by Crystal Bridges in 2013 who carefully deconstructed the house and shipped it there to northwest Arkansas. The reconstruction was meticulously put back together piece by piece. It was finished and opened to the public in 2015.

[@billolsen4360]

Out here in Maricopa County Arizona, the older locals say that Frank Lloyd Wright was testifying at a lawsuit trial in downtown Phoenix and one attorney asked him if he was the Greatest Architect in the World to which he replied "Yes." It was a long drive back to his Scottsdale home and, by the time he arrived there, his wife had heard some drive time radio disk jockeys joking about his testimony on the air. When confronted my Mrs. Wright about his blatant show of arrogance, Mr. Wright replied, "Sweetheart, I was under oath."

[@oldarpanet]

Isn't he quoted somewhere saying "It's hard to be humble when you're a genius."?

[@jasoneverett]

Do you put this comment on every FLW video? Cuz seems like I see it on all of them.

[@EarlLedden]

@@oldarpanet He also said , in choosing between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility, he chose the former. When once asked if he agreed with the characterization of being the greatest architect in the United States , he responded by saying that he might quibble with the limitation.

[@wadesnow3994]

My history teacher would of loved u. Great guild ed video u held my attention fully. When u put u all of u its just beautiful. Ur so practical.

[@palominoescaratepedro7362]

The way you narrate the video and the editing is amazing. Keep doing it, it's very cool to see a video like this.

[@tj81164]

Fantastic video & very informative. Also, what a spectacular “studio” you’re in for this episode. 🤓

[@bethbartlett5692]

Sullivan, my Grandmothers family, Counties Kerry and Cork, Ireland. 😘🍀

[@alexhodny4278]

I was just writiing an essay about Wright and this video helped me a lot. Really nice work

[@davarjos]

Taliesin was a Welsh poet a nod to his mother's homeland

[@accipiternicus]

this is a really helpful video it will help with my design assessment

[@cupidery]

this is a really well explained video ! thank you so much :)

[@JamesChristian-nr4ux]

There were 10 rolled up plans,blue prints in an umbrella holder in his office and interns drafting tables when he died. They were overlooked,but discovered they sold each for a cool million..Today they are like priceless. Adinosaur of modern architecture

[@aiswariyarajan-a4120]

such a good video need more videos about architects

[@C4m4r0]

Growing up in the west suburbs of Chicago it was great to see so many of his houses. It is unfortunate though that many have been remodeled because they weren't proven to be a Frank Lloyd Wright house soon enough only to find out later that the address was indeed a house he built.

[@Jeannified]

Great video! Just wanted to say that according to a couple of books I have read, he started the fire before he killed anyone, so that anyone who survived and tried to run out of the house, would then be met with fire. I say that, because I believe at least one of Mameh’s children died from the fire, even though they were all physically attacked.

[@miguelslade]

A great snapshot , well presented, thank you

[@wadesnow3994]

YOU Are great man and video was the best. Nice looking u keep the drive u have. Love ur voice kid. Awesome

[@kyleh698]

Amazing video! Never heard of him but got so much info out of this video! Thank you

[@hikehound3909]

Awesome video & production quality. I've watched many FLW videos, but none with the entertaining and viewer friendly format.

[@aquaman811]

Very informative look at this genius. Love your “studio” for the video, too! 👍🏻

[@bungal4806]

Thanks! I loved that house so much.

[@TerranceMoore]

Great job! Amazingly informative video

[@bungal4806]

🙏

[@tfti.collective]

please do this with more architects

[@BGTuyau]

A fine, enjoyable introduction to and survey of Wright's work and life, with excellent photography and narration -skillfully done, though devoid of any critical perspectives.

[@CinHotlanta]

It's almost impossible to imagine, but those amazing Oak Park era prairie homes predated the Model T, so 99% of the traffic passing them on the streets when they were first built was primarily horse and buggy.

[@joseph_b319]

Its been said he was a rock star bad boy of architecture. That is so awesome.

[@horialungescu796]

this is just amazing so helpful

[@danielcanchola1070]

Wow-in 11 minutes and 35 seconds; who can learn more about FLW's best projects? Well done! It would interest me to see FLW's unbuilt projects. The 'Illinois' Mile high building design is his last awesome and awe inspiring work. You've made such a nice tribute here so thanks for sharing!

[@omuzes]

Very good story telling en information in your video, thanks a lot! I'm doing a video on Dutch architect Berlage next week ('father' of Dutch modern architecture). This helped me so much to understand the influence of Wright (and Sullivan), super

[@bungal4806]

Thank you! And you just got me to look into Berlage, awesome buildings. I can't help but see some Wright influence in the Kunstmuseum Den Haag.

[@markrichards6863]

I can't remember the name of if, but there is a car museum in Buffalo that has and FLW filling station inside. The design be was simple, elegant and functional. The man was a creative genius, to make something as mundane as a gas station with such striking presence. He really thought about the world around him. The Buffalo area has some great Wright properties. I wish the summer lakefront home of the Martins was further along in it's restoration when we were there. If you get out that way, don't miss the Roycroft Inn, a masterpiece of craftsman style architecture.

[@jasphert.4416]

Subscribed to your channel with this video. Splendid.

[@FelipeHenchen]

So awesome content, i love it!

[@tiffanybrady943]

Marty B homie g! Love it my man! I think I could be an architect now! I could listen to your sliky smooth delivery all dizzy! Lol. For real, this is tre-men-dous! Great job

[@srisurya1821]

very well done!

[@suryamp12]

Fantastic video!

[@Hrishi1970]

Amazing intro to the genius architect!

[@archisketch6420]

Amazing video mate

[@bungal4806]

Thank you 🙏

[@silverglass6635]

Very well done!!

[@24post]

loved the video!

[@johanness6545]

Duh such a good video and then only 300 subs? Gotta get this man some publicity ;)

[@wadesnow3994]

I know ur loved. U have got the power to be rich. Important man u will always be. Just dont be too big 4 ur own GOOD. Looks like ur great to to everyone.

[@tejindersidhu7300]

Great entertaining n educational video

[@paulheywood2116]

Great video learning about flw very interesting cheer’s

[@fifthcarcrash]

i absolutely adore Taliesin, thx for the vid

[@monicarubio3818]

I am in LOVE WITH ALL OF HIS HOMES!!!!

[@nirminemne8187]

I'm in love with the red details in the waterfall hous

[@noahlane5228]

Tell me about his football career

[@user-tv3bu9jd3v]

It was called Cherokee red trim.

[@ritamustikasari]

Great video

[@Hannah-wu6yw]

Thank you sm, i got my a level exam today and there are no good and short german videos about this guy :(

[@monicarubio3818]

Love this architect - Artist!!!!!

[@sonyabusby6473]

Thank you.

[@archisketch6420]

Amazing

[@Adrian-uc4ox]

a timeless mind

[@shakey3306]

A mindless time

[@lucianofsarq]

what is the name of the window you mentioned in the beginning of the video?

[@charlesharleson4743]

Awesome

[@Tocomaco]

As of lately, soon to be reintroduced here in Buffalo, that gas station at the very beginning of the video, though not sure if it'll be a full service station, or just a museum. Also, not many know that there was a FLW design that's a mausoleum, and that is the coolest design as well, here in Buffalo!

[@wadesnow3994]

A PLUS IN ALL U DO. SERIOUSLY.

[@thedrawingsunflower]

Lovely video, One thing I would love to know, how did the tragedy affect his work afterwards. You mentioned the event shaped his life, if you can tell me more about it, I'd highly appreciate it D:

[@jasonschmitt1600]

After the death of Mamah Wright built the textile block houses in the Los Angeles area. These are often compared to Aztec or Mayan tombs etc.and the houses have definite tomb like feeling to them. The Millard house (La Miniatura) in Pasadena is built into a culvert on the side of the property leaving the upper flat area for a lawn. They are fascinating homes really. There's a great video on youtube where they explore that these houses were a form of healing for FLW as he did them and they were not successful as homes, and he never returned to the style.

[@thedrawingsunflower]

@@jasonschmitt1600 Appreciate the update :D any chance you can link me the video of the houses and how there were his healing process. Much appreciated

[@myotherusername9224]

He threw himself into work on the Imperial Hotel. " in action, there is relief from anguish of mind"- FLlW His LA block houses were very. .. massive and closed off, like protective caves. One of his apprentices had a roll over accident (alone) driving Wright's limousine, and Wright designed and built a new roof for the car. Someone questioned why it had no rear window. Wright replied: "I never look behind me."

[@1VirginiaL]

Like other commenters, I also think this video is very well done...brief with fine research and presentation.

[@tyallgaier]

Super well done video. Subbed.

[@bungal4806]

🙏Thanks!

[@thelandofloviestarringmiss77]

What a beautiful home iN falling waters, I love water ❌ and ❣️nature

[@arjunisonline3807]

Watching this a year after it was made… amazing video! I would’ve expected you to have like a 100k subs if you’d have continued with KZbin. Please do

[@mariogarcialavareda2405]

Bom dia É LINDO ESPETACULAIRE essas OBRAS-PRIMAS DE ARQUITETURA de FRANK LlOyd Wright é um gênio.

[@shakey3306]

Não é não

[@bnastali]

Nice overview of FLW! Genius for sure. Why not make a movie of his epic life?

[@hippiehillape]

Because he said he was, and told everyone every chance he got

[@shakey3306]

Tell a lie a thousand times and it will become the truth, but not really… i have experience in convincing people i’m smart, it’s not very hard

[@javierpacheco8234]

Frank Lloyd wright is an amazing architect but we should remember another architect which is Louis Sullivan, frank Lloyd wrights Mentor.

[@deezynar]

Wright's work is worth studying, Wright's life is not. The deeper you dive into the details of his life, the more sordid it becomes. It's best to ignore as much of his personal story as possible and stick to his work.

[@joseph_b319]

Sometimes you got to separate the art from the artist. If life was paradise the would not be arts.

[@myotherusername9224]

you have not read very much written by people who were close to him if you think his entire personal life was reprehensible. He was not perfect, certainly, but most people who dealt with him personally or professionally were fond of him. That's never true of genuinely bad people.

[@deezynar]

@@myotherusername9224 Have you read, "The Fellowship"? It is a book on Wright that uses information about him that was taken from interviews, and from documents by people who knew him personally. It is probably the most footnoted book I've ever read, and I've read my share of technical books. Read it, I think you may change your mind a bit. And don't misconstrue what I wrote, I never said that everything he did was morally reprehensible. Nobody can survive, let alone succeed in society, if they were completely bad.

[@myotherusername9224]

@@deezynar thank you for the reference. I haven't read _The Fellowship_, and as I read my comment, I realize I wasn't completely confident in what I was saying. I have read the positive reactions of various people but not deeply enough or widely enough. Must check it out.

[@mikehenson819]

Why don't you explore his "Price Tower"?

[@ranjithgunatilaka7311]

No doubt he was a guineas . One of a kind. Never will be a architect of great talent, God send to America, falling waters for ever. My true American hero. God. Bless him.

[@shakey3306]

He was indeed a guineas pig 😂

[@MikeMessiah]

such low subs for such high quality YT channel. Hope u grow faster...

[@meinvolkuberalles]

Wow how the hell do you have 200 subs? Your content is absolutely top notch, amazing work my friend. Keep it up and you'll be a large channel soon 👍

[@meinvolkuberalles]

New sub!

[@galamotshaku]

Blend with the natural desert landscape... **Puts freaking grass 💀💀**

[@nayepoops]

Hope i can be the genius architect like Wright, Aamin;)

[@allanshulstad1783]

What about the houses in Minneapolis

[@danf4447]

cool

[@Leo.9315]

vrv chair at the beginning

[@bungal4806]

Ha! Totally. Even has the same yellow color.

[@conniehenry2714]

Wow!!!!!!!

[@mcpoulet13]

Where is this man sitting at the beginning of this video?

[@patriciaherlevi6217]

My dream is to drive in a Sprinter Van across the US and visit FLW's homes and buildings. I'm currently the Northeast US. When I was in Chicago I didn't get a chance to visit the FLW buildings. Bummer.

[@shakey3306]

Shitty dream…

[@arun-it9gr]

You mentioned Guggenheim??

[@cptcosmo]

Funny how self-confidence is always interpreted as conceit and arrogance... mediocrity, like misery, loves company. Some of the most intelligent people I have ever met in 55 years are Architects, and I'm proud to be in the industry myself.

[@shakey3306]

Don’t you realise the smartest people you’ve met are architects because that’s what your are and that’s who you interact with? Like a physicist would say the smartest people they’ve met are physicists? That’s your bubble, stop judging from where you stand and observe the entire picture, it’s a shame you can’t see beyond your foolish eyeballs… that’s why you’re fooled by modernists, their ideas and their arrogance. What’s up with dumb people thinking they can judge who is smart and who is not btw?

[@AmruthBitla]

His massive creations 🤩 were useful, I think I can understand if Frank Llyod wright come to India and build a wonderful buliding in india also.😅

[@keleniengaluafe2600]

❤❤❤❤

[@gaetano3538]

A clarification should be made on Wrights formal education. Wright attended Madison High School, but there is no evidence that he graduated. In 1886 he was admitted to the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a special student and worked under Allan D. Conover, a professor of civil engineering, before leaving the school after one year without taking a degree.

[@SP95]

3:01 Wait, did he get to settle his first studio in one of the buildings built by Louis Sullivan ? 😂

[@AniketPadwalArchitect]

Why just 178 subs???

[@bungal4806]

I know, right? : )

[@ktsnguyenquocdat]

👍👍👍😍😍😍

[@loganfox8634]

The Jeddah Tower design is basically a rip off of Wright's 'The Illinois' They're practically the same building

[@sprich3200]

Fallingwater is one of his best creation and the name also bear his initials : F a LL ing W ater (FLlW). Isn't it bizarre?

[@shakey3306]

Nah, it’s crap

[@JamesChristian-nr4ux]

My dad was an architect and our home was strongly influenced with contemporary style of and designed afterThe Robey house with 3 ft overhangs of spacials on roof sophits

[@mayraalejandrajuarez9501]

Ok now do Marion Mahoney Griffin

[@tomythegamer9130]

Cernipan

[@goofyiest]

Marin county buildings?

[@china_is_asshole]

Man... wish I was over hung🍻🤣 And that's not a hangover joke🧐

[@Cross-xm2fr]

how about some critiques too

[@shakey3306]

Modern stuff is all about worshiping, there’s no logical argumentation about why something is what it is.

[@zsuzsablom6256]

Very informative video. Music not needed. A distraction from your words.