• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.95-102
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• 2018

In this study, existential thoughts in Frank Lloyd Wright's notion of nature were investigated. Wright, a modern architect, presented the idea of creating organic architecture in harmony with nature. His naturalistic romanticism is considered to be the original inspiration for his concept of organic architecture. However, his understanding of architecture in harmony with nature stems from existential ideas in his notion of nature, including humanity. The proposed study analyzes his existential beliefs through his speeches and writings in four categories-love of nature, thoughts of abstract and concrete, nature as being intrinsic and "becoming," and thoughts on science and art. Our analyses reveal that, on the one hand, Wright was inspired by thoughts of naturalistic romanticism born from his disillusionment with city life and an urge to seek life in nature, while, on the other, he also believed that real nature is intrinsic to humans and manifests itself in the very core of their being. He sought to unite humanity, as the interior of nature, with its physical environment, as the exterior of nature. His notion of nature is a "becoming" one that changes with time and space, and varies based on individual humans. In line with these thoughts, Wright sought to create forms not only with respect to mathematical dimensions, but also in consideration of human significance. He considered art and architecture to be born out of an integral thought as a process of humanization. To him, nature is interpreted by humans.