A Wright Way to Live and Design
While it may not seem like Zerorez and an iconic designer have a lot in common, we look at the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and see a kindred spirit.
Inspiration is often found in unexpected places, even for surface cleaning companies.
As geeks for flooring, we adore his geometric rugs, how they lead from one room to the next in a way that draws the eye and creates a sense of space. We appreciate the range of materials he incorporates—stone, hardwood, concrete, steel, carpet and more. But what we most love about the man is his emphasis on connection.
He set out to redefine the American architectural identity, promoting a vision of harmony. Wright created spaces meant to bring people together, and forms that were harmonious with nature.
He passed in 1969, but if he were still around we suspect he just might have appreciated our unique approach to green cleaning. We feel kinship with a man who had a passion for beautiful, well-kept homes; and who catered to the needs of the American family.
That's what brought us to the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit at the Bower's Museum, which will run until August 20, 2017. We took some time to explore his works and study the visual language of his architecture. Here are our takeaways:
Get the Most Out of a Space
Wright didn't just create homes. He created ways of living.
As American décor shifted away from the Victorian trappings of the previous century, it moved toward something more casual and family-oriented.
He eliminated or changed the function of underused spaces like attics and basements, and was fond of multifunctionality. For instance, a lamp might double as a plant stand. Not only are multipurpose objects convenient, but they can also reduce costs. Much of what Wright designed was geared toward the average American family, and he went through lengths to get his more affordable ideas published in widely read magazines like Lady's Home Journal.
Despite the static nature of the furniture (he often built furniture into the home), Wright also sought to create multifunctional rooms. A living room, for instance, could be utilized for hosting and entertainment, or it could be a place to quietly commune with nature. This is in part due to Wright's love of light and windows.
He described glass as "crystallized air" and replaced entire walls with windows. Many of his homes featured clerestory openings, which allowed a high, natural light to bathe the interior. His work is a reminder of how lighting, both natural and artificial, can create a sense of spaciousness. A sense of openness was present in all of his rooms— open in the sense that they were versatile, and open in the sense that they felt spacious regardless of actual size.
Design is an Expression of Time and Spirit
Wright noted that "every great architect is, necessarily, a great poet. He must be a great original interpreter of his time, his day, his age." Even if you're not one of the greatest architects to grace the planet, there's something to be gleaned from Wright's philosophy. From the crisp and modern lines of Fallingwater to the concrete, Mayan-inspired Hollyhock House, his creations varied greatly, each embodying its own spirit as informed by the era, clients, and natural landscape.
When it comes to our own homes, they should be an expression of ourselves and values. Wright experimented and evolved for over seventy years, in part because the times were changing, in part because he was.
Unity is Paramount
Above all, Wright was a proponent of harmony. He believed not in putting pieces of a room together, but in creating a cohesive whole. His adoration and incorporation of nature also reflected this. Wright's "organic architecture" mimicked surrounding materials and his buildings often "fit" into the landscape.
Take, for instance, what he did with the iconic Fallingwater. The Kauffmans expected their new home to be built with a view of their family waterfall. They were startled when Wright handed them blueprints with the house on the waterfall. Sorry, Kauffman crew, you'll have to live with it…literally.
This is what made Wright brilliant.
Rather than seeing homes as distinct from nature, or rooms as discrete from one another, he sought the cohesive whole; he saw the relationships between objects.
Closing Thoughts…
People tend to think of our own world as being separate from the natural world, but Wright had a way of blending man and nature seamlessly, creating a dialogue between home and land.
Perhaps this was because Wright wasn't fond of boxes. He tended to think outside of them. For example, his buildings and rooms were rarely box-shaped. Even in his homes with traditional, angular rooms, he often dissolved the corners to create large passages from one room to the next.
The moral here isn't to go knocking down walls like a certain flavored drink mascot (oh yeah!). Rather, how can we create harmony in our own environments?
Zerorez® takes this question to heart. We promote harmony through innovative cleaning solutions that turn away from traditional man-made detergents, opting instead for something gentler. Our alkaline water solution is pet-friendly, kid-friendly, and allergy-friendly. It's the Wright Way to Clean. Visiting the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit reminds us of our commitment to values we share with this iconic figure; clean spaces, content families and honoring the planet we share. Learn more at zerorezsocal.com or give us a call at 949-387-2222.
