The Gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright by Derek Fell
Derek Fell is a garden designer, photographer, and writer. His own garden in Pennsylvania has won several design awards.
The content of the book is expansive combining a thoughtful biography, an examination of Frank Lloyd Wright's development as an architect, identifying and explaining the influences on his style while focusing on his philosophy as a landscaper. It concentrates on Wright's four most famous residential landscapes: his first home in Oak Park, Illinois; Taliesin in Wisconsin; Taliesin West in Arizona; and Fallingwater, Pennsylvania.
The photography, also by Fell, is beautifully executed and supports the text.
"it is quite impossible to consider the building as one thing,
its furnishings as another and its setting another" Frank Lloyd Wright
My thoughts
The chapter on desert gardening was comprehensive and I appreciated the opportunity to learn about landscaping in an unfamiliar environment. Wright saw the use of desert natives as vital in making his winter home part of the desert. A chapter on prairie gardening was equally thorough. I was introduced to and intrigued by 'meeting stones" a feature of the work of Jens Jensen, who, in my opinion, Wright borrowed from shamelessly.
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| photo credit: Derek Fell |
This is a well researched book and on the whole offers an honest portrait of Wright. If you are not aware of the seamier side of the man you may be surprised. If you read it let me know what you think of the bold claims, as to Wright's landscaping skills, offered by a completely besotted ex student.
I found the gardening perspective a fresh and entertaining way to learn about architecture and it's relationship to the environment. A relationship that sadly appears to be neglected by most mass market builders.
Based on my enjoyment of this book I plan to read other books in the series including the gardens of Monet, Renoir and the Impressionists.
Sounds like an awesome read Susan! And yes that is so true that the landscape is not at all thought about by most builders. There was a home recently built in my town...the builder used soil to make a large mountain of dirt so that the large house sits almost up above everything altering the whole landscape for those around it. Thoughtful design is smart design in my eyes. Going to pick this one up! I hope you are having a nice weekend! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in the city the by laws were changed to allow houses to be closer together. Older city lots were cleared of their single homes and wider upscale duplexes squeezed in. Eventually most of the owners of the remaining single homes have given up and sold to developers. the whole character of the neighbourhood has changed.
DeleteNice review on a book which I've read and is on my bookshelf. As I love the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, it was a must have. The way how he designs his buildings and gardens in relation to the natural environment is magnificant.
ReplyDeleteI love the words of his mother Anna : "The Valley will bloom in your hands".
I'm interested in architecture, especially from the late 19th and early 20th century. Do you have time to recommend some buildings in your part of the world. I love reading about them even if I'm too far away to visit.
DeleteI lived in AZ where Wright had a school and many students....I learned a bit about him while living there...his architecture in the desert is quite impressive but sadly it did not transfer to those living in AZ...
ReplyDeleteI'd like to be able to visit some of his buildings. Arizona has such a rich history of building styles, such a shame it is not reflected in new homes.
Deleteas I also enjoy both gardening and architecture I have no doubt that I would enjoy this book. Thank you for sharing your insightful review!
ReplyDeleteI don't know about you but when visiting some of the grander homes in the U.K. I always want to go through the door marked private.
DeleteHello Susan ... what a nice review to entice us to read more about the connection of architecture and garden design. I am in love with that first picture of the house and water feature .. it is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI am always curious about desert garden design ... some thing about the south west always grabs my attention when it comes to seeing gardens and plants of that area.
Joy : )
I'm so used to the abundant and colourful planting of cottage gardens it took me a while to appreciate the desert landscape which seem stark in comparison. I'm starting to understand it and even become fascinated by it. There is more than first meets the eye.
DeleteI'm ashamed to say I didn't realise Wright was interested in landscaping as well as architecture. Maybe I should read the book and fill in those woeful gaps!
ReplyDeleteHe was interested in landscape as it pertained to his own designs but not beyond. Don't worry about your woeful gaps.
DeleteI am several years behind on all the books I want to read. Fallingwater is in a nearby state so I really need to get my butt up there. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteA big complaint from members of our library board is we no longer have time to read!
DeleteI don't know much about Frank Lloyd Wright beyond having seem pictures of some of his famous architecture. The house on the book cover is certainly familiar. I'd be curious to see his landscape design. Is it austere and somewhat geometric like his architecture I wonder?
ReplyDeleteActually not, Jennifer. Although he loved to control every aspect of the houses he designed, including the furniture, he seems to have understood Nature has its own rules. His landscaping style appears to be loose and inclusive of the existing features and conditions. He used plantings particularly at entrances and around work spaces.
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