'In both early and late life', writes Grant Hildebrand, 'Wright had an enormous number of domestic clients...They came to his drawing board in droves, and, having seen through to completion their adventure with him, they were, by and large, ecstatic about what they got...Many of these clients subsequently returned to Write for another house, and sometimes more than one...' Yet few houses of equal fame have embodied more conspicuous faults. Many of Wright's plans defy reasonable furniture arrangements, many frustrate even the storage of reasonable and treasured possessions. In many cases, sever problems afflict the architectural fabric: leaking roofs, unserviceable detailing, even structural inadequacies.There were problems of personality as well...Many of Wright's clients found him arrogant, careless, slow, and misleading, and were not by any means always amused by his temperament. And there are more vague and subjective difficulties, for the sheer power of these houses as dramatic exercises in space and form can intimidate the...acts of ordinary daily life: how does on have a casual conversation in the Robie house dining room, or hang a cherished delicate picture in a Usonian? If, then, these houses lacked so many of the usual aspects of satisfaction, why were they built with such profusion, and valued so highly?In this book, thirty-three of Wright's domestic buildings, including all of the major houses on which his significance depends, are analyzed in detail in terms of their spatial characteristics. Fireplaces, seating, ceiling form, glazing, terraces, and roof overhangs are seen to follow a repetitive organization or pattern characterized by complementary juxtapositions of what the English geographer Jay Appleton calls 'prospect' (a condition in which one can see over a considerable distance) and 'refuge' (a place where one can hide). According to Appleton's theory of landscape aesthetics, this juxtaposition offers the ability to see without being seen (or to hunt successfully without being, in turn, successfully hunted) and thus, eons ago, had survival value. But such a condition must have been sought, originally, because it was intrinsically pleasurable to our species.Hildebrand finds a striking correlation in Wright's houses. Wright's pattern of prospect and refuge, to which are added similarly derived qualities of complexity and order, is shown to be unique in domestic architecture to the degree to which it provides these preferred characteristics, suggesting why - in spite of serious drawbacks - his house were built and valued by so many clients. The text of the book is enhanced by photographs, plans, and by nine exquisitely drawn diagrams of key dwellings specially prepared by William Hook. Addressed to architects, landscape architects, architectural historians, environmental psychologist, anthropologists, philosophers of aesthetics, and the lay public with an interest in these subjects, "The Wright Space" is essential reading for anyone who has ever lived in, looked at, or studied Frank Lloyd Wright's remarkable houses.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wright's Space Rightly Revealed,
By A Customer
This review is from: Wright Space: Pattern and Meaning in Frank Lloyd's Wright's Houses (Paperback)
Hildebrand really puts you into a selection of Wright's built spaces; you can imagine what it is like to move through and experience the changing spaces (height, length, turns) in several of Wright's famous houses, even if you've not visited in person. Hildebrand's extended discussion --and demonstration through stunning "3D" exploded diagrams-- of the primordial concepts of Refuge/shelter (those dark fireplace cores and inglenooks) and Prospect/outlook (distant elevated windows) applied to buildings dating to different stages of Wright's practice is most original and convincing. Author's scholarly prose is serviceable rather than equally soaring. Highly useful small plans (newly corrected and with compass indications!) and evocative B/W photographs supplement those amazing diagrams by Wm. Hook.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A new insight into architectural aesthetics,
By A Customer
This review is from: Wright Space: Pattern and Meaning in Frank Lloyd's Wright's Houses (Paperback)
Wright's buildings are some of the most appealing in history. Why? Hildebrand applies a landscape theory developed by Jay Appleton (books also available on Amazon.com) - our early ancestors sought homesites high in the qualities of PROSPECT (ability to survey the surroundings) and REFUGE (protection from environmental and other threats), and thus we are programmed to find these qualities appealing. Wright's large windows, sheltering eaves, solid stone, welcoming hearth, etc., are rich in Prospect and Refuge which give the subconscious signal "This is a great homesite!" (Also see A PATTERN LANGUAGE, by Alexander, for more patterns underlying architectural appeal).
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rosetta Stone of Wright's Magic,
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This review is from: Wright Space: Pattern and Meaning in Frank Lloyd's Wright's Houses (Paperback)
In this superb book, Hildebrand attempts no less than a definitive explanation of the method used by Wright to weave his architectural magic. Using the theories of "prospect and refuge" & "order and complexity" he sets out to establish what he calls the "pattern" that reveals itself in Wright's residential designs. Backed by detailed exposition, plans, diagrams and photos of specific examples he convincingly does just that: present the "pattern" that, to a greater or lesser degree, permeates Wright's work. Also covered are various detail items which are often, though with a lesser frequency, present.
To the serious student of Wright's organic architecture, this book is an indispensible resource.
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