Between 1870 and 1900, Chicago grew from a city of 299,000 to nearly 1.7 million and was the fastest-growing city in world history. Chicago’s flourishing economy attracted huge numbers of new immigrants. With its wealth and vibrancy, it is no surprise that Chicago becomes the centre of Art Nouveau in the USA.
The Chicago school as represented by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright was less curvilinear with more straight lines than the European style as represented by Victor Horta and Paul Hankar. Sullivan was himself a fan of Viollet le Duc. He thought that decoration should emphasize and stress the structure of a building. The structure of the buildings created in Chicago during this period were increasingly dictated by the use of steel framework.
Louis Sullivan
Louis Henry Sullivan (1856 –1924) has been called a “father of skyscrapers” and “father of modernism.” He was an influential architect of the Chicago School, a mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright, and an inspiration to the Chicago group of architects who have come to be known as the Prairie School.
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most well-known architects of the 20th century, he was influenced both by Viollet le Duc and the arts and crafts . He aimed at a total Art, designing even the furniture of his villas. He also designed furniture, stain glasses windows and lighting for his houses. A residence designed by Frank Lloyd Wright was a package of design. Everything had a place and was designed for the purpose.
