Exploring Architecture Through The Journey

When going on a road trip, most of the time we think about getting to the final destination, but there are also so many things we can see and explore along the way. Architecture is one of those things that can make the journey itself more interesting. Frank Lloyd Wright has many buildings across the United States that people can visit while traveling and experience in person. (Milk, 2021)

What makes this interesting is that the road trip does not only have to be about where you are going. The buildings, places, and surroundings that you pass can also become part of the experience. 

Ready for an architectural road trip? Although iconic buildings like Fallingwater and the Guggenheim, should certainly be on your bucket list, these picks are definitely detour worthy. (Milk, 2021)

One of the projects that encourages people to explore their surroundings during a road trip is the Marin County Civic Center. (Milk, 2021)

This was Frank Lloyd Wright’s last and largest public project. After the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937, the Civic Center was intended to connect Marin County and San Francisco as well as to consolidate county services. Frank Lloyd Wright was selected following a rigorous interview process that evaluated 36 architectural firms for the job. Of all the architects interviewed, only Frank Lloyd Wright saw possibilities in the hilly landscape of the site. All other architects suggested flattening them. Not only did the innovative building respond organically to the site, but it’s now also considered by historians to be one of the first public buildings to incorporate the automobile into its design. Visitors drive through the building’s arches and the parking lot is created as part of the landscape plan. And, in another nod to car culture, Frank Lloyd Wright sited the buildings so one can get a “snap shot” view from the highway driving by at 55 mph. The Civic Center is both a state and National Historic Landmark, designated in 1991. (Milk, 2021)

Reflection

What I found interesting about this article is the idea of going on a road trip just to experience different buildings and architecture in person. Usually when I think about a road trip, I think more about getting to the final destination, but this article made me think about how the journey and the places you see along the way can also be part of the experience.

I also really liked how some of the buildings were designed around their surroundings and how people would experience them. It made me realize how much we can miss while we're traveling if we're not paying attention to what is around us. I think exploring architecture in person can make people more curious about the places they are visiting and can make the trip itself more interesting.

Reference

Milk, D. (2021, February 8). Frank Lloyd Wright buildings worthy of a road trip. Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. https://franklloydwright.org/frank-lloyd-wright-buildings-worthy-road-trip/ 

Grammarly. (n.d.). https://app.grammarly.com/