Overview
This lecture explores the life, philosophy, and legacy of architect Louis Sullivan, his role in shaping American architecture and the skyscraper, and his lasting influence on Frank Lloyd Wright and modern design.
The Rise of the Skyscraper
- Louis Sullivan defined the skyscraper as a uniquely American architectural form, distinct from historical European styles.
- He famously asserted "form ever follows function," arguing a building’s design should reflect its purpose.
- Sullivan viewed the skyscraper as a symbol of progress, pride, and American innovation.
Sullivan’s Philosophy and Early Life
- Sullivan grew up connected to nature, shaping his organic approach to design and ornamentation.
- He rejected traditional, European architectural education for a more imaginative, nature-inspired vision.
- Influenced by Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel, he sought architectural greatness through originality.
Partnership with Adler and Inventive Ornamentation
- Sullivan formed a successful partnership with engineer Dankmar Adler, combining acoustic expertise and innovative design.
- Sullivan’s ornamentation, inspired by nature, distinguished him from peers dependent on pattern books.
- He believed even mundane architectural details should be works of art.
Major Works and the Auditorium Building
- The Auditorium Building (1889) in Chicago united a theater, hotel, and office block, showcasing democratic design and technological innovation.
- The building’s interior featured unprecedented functional and decorative integration.
- Sullivan’s designs for mausoleums and houses also broke with Victorian and European traditions.
Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright
- Sullivan mentored Frank Lloyd Wright, influencing his approach to American modern architecture with ideals of honesty and integration with nature.
- Their close relationship later fractured over professional disagreements.
Form and Function: The Skyscraper Revolution
- Sullivan emphasized verticality in tall office buildings, treating them as organic forms with expressive upward thrust.
- The Wainwright and Guaranty buildings demonstrated innovations in steel-frame construction and decorative terracotta.
- His design principles shaped the “Chicago School” of architecture and influenced later skyscrapers worldwide.
The Colombian Exposition and Decline
- The 1893 World's Columbian Exposition popularized neoclassical (Beaux-Arts) architecture, sidelining Sullivan’s modern vision.
- Economic depression and changing tastes led to the end of Adler & Sullivan, and estrangement from Wright.
- Sullivan’s later career was marked by financial struggles and fewer commissions.
Later Works: The Jewel Box Banks
- Sullivan designed a series of small-town “jewel box” banks, applying democratic ideals and organic ornamentation to community buildings.
- These banks symbolized accessibility and local pride, standing out for their beauty and originality.
Legacy and Final Years
- Sullivan believed architecture could express democracy, freedom, and human potential.
- His later years were spent in poverty, but he continued to promote original, American architectural ideals through writing and teaching.
- His “System of Architectural Ornament” illustrated the creative process as a metaphor for human possibility.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Form follows function — Design should be dictated by a building’s intended purpose.
- Skyscraper — A tall, multi-story building enabled by steel-frame construction.
- Ornamentation — Decorative elements integral to Sullivan’s organic design approach.
- Chicago School — Architectural movement emphasizing steel-frame construction and functional design.
- Beaux-Arts — Academic neoclassical architectural style popularized at the 1893 World’s Fair.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Sullivan’s key buildings: Auditorium Building, Wainwright Building, Guaranty Building.
- Study the difference between Beaux-Arts/classical and Sullivan’s modern approach.
- Read Sullivan’s essays on architecture and democracy, especially “Autobiography of an Idea.”