Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian houses: The case for organic architecture

by John Sergeant

This book is the first serious study of the Usonian home, a concept which stands in Frank Lloyd Wright’s works where l’unité d’habitation stands in the works of Le Corbusier. John Sergeant clearly sets out the sources of Wright’s urban concepts that are deeply embedded in the American tradition, while at the same time he shows how Wright practiced what he preached. Sergeant has carefully demonstrated the organic nature of this great designer’s life and works as made manifest in a brilliant galaxy of small and beautiful homes. The book is extensively illustrated with both photographs and drawings.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Reference

207 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Topaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is perhaps the best reference book ok Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian houses. It’s an older book from the 1970s before the FLW archive was available for review. Th author does a good job explaining the design and principles of the Usonian houses and also gets into city/urban planning and organic architecture:

There are many black and white photos and floor plans that are readable. The text is easy to read and fairly thorough. I’m not sure if there is any other book that goes into more detail on the subject but there may be some that have more contemporary color photos.

Actual photos of the book at Amazon

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

amazing pictures from the details of these houses; the text, not so good. Wright's houses from the 1930's and 1940's were gems, but he did lose his in the late 1940's and 1950's.

[Nikko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing detailed read into the mind of Frank Lloyd Wright. I like this book because it outlines Wrights foresight into design, his inspirations, and his personal struggle with building custom homes during the great depression.

Even more interesting it is one of the few books that identify him as a taoist and tie him directly with eastern philosophies.

[Mark Einselen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential for any Wright admirer. While not his most famous work, his Usonian designs might have made the most impact on middle America by making the suburban ranch home a type of high architecture.

[Beth E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like this book. The author refuses to admit that Wright ever did anything wrong in his life, for example insisting that he was very considerate of his clients.
It was hard to visualize the houses being discussed, and he misspelled the last name Cheney.