Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

Principles and Elements

Principles and elements are used very abundantly in the Larkin building. In this photo, we can see the different lines that are created by the stacks of bricks. There is symmetry within the exterior of the building. There is one shape present throughout the whole design. Different shapes and size rectangles are present throughout. There is a balance created between the unique posts running up the center of the building. There is emphasis at the top of them because of the ball-like shape resting on the top of the posts.

Connections

_{“Larkin Administration Building Detail / Frank Lloyd Wright / Buffalo, New York / 1904-06” by Hooked On The Past David Romero is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.}

This is an example of connections seen throughout the building with the confluence of surface decoration, lighting fixtures, and skylights all contributing to the elaboration of the vertical and horizontal.  Each shaft of the atrium of this building is similarly treated, creating an overall effect of celebrating connectivity.

Materials

The materials used in this space were new to most people. There were things used such as glass doors and new lighting to create the most modern building of its time. The outside structure was constructed with metal posts and bricks. The bricks were more common then, but what shined in this space was the interior. The interior consisted of indoor balconies and lots of natural light. It also uses Magnesite in the building’s interior, a material used for sound reduction.  The new materials used in this building inspired many other designs including the Johnson Wax workspaces also created by Wright.

Lighting and color

In the Larkin building there is not much color going on. There are lots of whites and creams present in the design. There are some different shades of brown spread throughout the space, throughout the different furnishing. There is a ton of natural lighting present throughout the space. You can see these based on the shadows that reflect on the bricks. You can also see the introduction of the new light bulb technology introduced through this building.

Experience

This image is a example of the types of desks that were used in the main space in the middle of the atrium. According to The Larkinbuilding.com project, these desks were named light court worktables. I used this image as a example of experience because at the time it was more common to have single desks. This desk created an experience for the workers to work in a collaborative way. People were able to experience this building as a very social atmosphere. I could imagine walking into his building and it being loud with everyone talking as it echos through the atrium.

Theories

The theory that fits this building is universal design theory. This building has many different elements that make it especially useful for all people to work and experience the space. This building is designed in a certain way to make everything simple to navigate. Everything is also very accessible to the atrium area, which can be beneficial for asking questions about navigating the building. The balconies allow for viewing of what is going on in each space as well.  

Technology

The Nernest lamp is one of the examples of the modern technologies introduced in this building. According to the LarkinBuilding.com project, this bulb was better, brighter, and longer lasting. It used a ceramic rod that would light up the space. They were also more convenient for the space and the everyday user because they can be changed easily. They can be unscrewed and replaced, making them easier to use in a design and more cost-effective. They had lots of modern technologies introduced in this building such as toilets suspended from the walls, and one of the biggest things, this was the first air-conditioned building of its time.

Finishes

There are a few different finishes that are used throughout the space. Some of the most common is the metal used on the furniture and walls. Another important thing is the use of red sandstone on the building’s exterior. The other thing that stood out was the use of brick on the building’s exterior. This is the most common thing that is used throughout the building. On the interior of the building, we can also see the different concrete used to create some smooth finishes. With some of the detailing on writing on the inside of the building we see some shiny finishes as well.

Furnishings

These chairs were created specifically for the Larkin building. If you look at the design of the chair you can see that there is one major flaw. You can see there is a wide place for you to sit but only three legs. This was a very unfortunate design because it allowed the chairs to tip over. This caused lots of people to fall. At the time women were required to wear dresses in the workspace, therefore women would get exposed after they tipped over in the chair. 

Telling stories

This is an important image because it shows the way individuals are interacting with each other in the space. This photograph is extremely important to history, especially because the building is no longer standing. It gives a strict view of what happened in space and what went on in the Larkin building. You can also see the different in what females are wearing at this time compared to what the males wore. Having a space like this has proven to be remarkably successful for workspaces due to open communication. Wright used this space to feel like the “heart of the home” He really worked hard to make the spaces comfortable for the people occupying them.

Additional Information and Sources

“Larkin: Exterior and Interior.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service. Accessed 13 Feb. 2024. 

Universal design: Process, principles, and applications. (n.d.).

larkin3D. (2015, October 7). Larkin Light Trivia. the LarkinBuilding.com Project.

“Larkin Building – Data, Photos & Plans.” WikiArquitectura, 12 Oct. 2023. 

“Larkin Company Administration Building.” Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, 25 Mar. 2019.

larkin3D. “Large Atrium Desk.” The LarkinBuilding.Com Project, 9 Sept. 2015.