Exit
UST A SHORT WALK
from the University
of Michigan’s buildings and bars teeming
with college students lies a hidden
house, tucked into woodlands,
where peace and privacy prevail.
Those who catch a glimpse of it
in Ann Arbor, Mich., might recognize the style. Famed architect
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the
brick and cyprus home for William and Mary Palmer. Construction started in 1951, when Wright
was in his 80s.
At the Palmer House, walking
paths wind through the two acres
of greenery, and a herd of deer
often wanders up to the patio of
the home, which now functions as
a peaceful hotel for one guest or
family at a time.
The home’s relationship to
its surroundings is no accident.
Though prolific and highly successful, Wright focused on nature
and tranquility in his work. Ahead
of his time, he created and practiced organic architecture, using
principles from nature to guide
his designs and use of materials.
He produced environments where
home and setting were one, like
the Palmer House or Fallingwater
in Pennsylvania.
THE THIRD
METRIC
HUFFINGTON
12.22.13
AP PHOTO/COURTESY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT FOUNDATION, JOHN ENGSTEAD
J
Study nature, love
nature, stay close to nature.
It will never fail you.”
“I go to nature every day for
inspiration in the day’s work,” the
architect said. “Study nature, love
nature, stay close to nature. It will
never fail you.”
It’s the details that make
Wright’s buildings subtle masterpieces. Using the equilateral
triangle as a recurring design element, there’s barely a right angle
in the entire Palmer House, from
the hexagon beds (six triangles) to
the shower. On the outside, a pattern of polygonal cutouts resemble
abstract birds; when the swaying
Construction
began on
Frank Lloyd
Wright’s
Palmer House
in 1951, when
he was in
his 80s.