Comparative Study

By: Tyler Balke

Introduction:
My comparative study will focus on the unique architectural and building techniques of Frank Lloyd
Wright and Santiago Calatrava. Both men are famous for their several architectural designs, and buildings
they designed. Frank Lloyd Wright was well known all over the United States of America, and made his
mark specifically in Wisconsin. Santiago Calatrava is a well known architect across the world and has
several architectural designs and buildings across the United States of America.
 Frank Lloyd Wright

Ravenna, Al. Frank Lloyd Wright. Digital

image. Library of Congress. New York
World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper
Photograph Collection, 1954. Web. 27 Dec.
2016.

Frank Lloyd Wright is a famous American Architect from Wisconsin. He pioneered FallingWater by Frank
modern architecture through his technique known as Organic Architecture. Over Lloyd Wright.
his career he designed several iconic buildings and structures. His pioneering of
organic architecture was significant to the field of architecture based on how his Devore, Lenore. Fallingwater.
forms were developed based off of the nature surrounding it, and building the Digital image. The Ledger. The
Ledger.com, 24 Aug. 2016.
design with materials that best fit the natural surroundings. Wrights forms, and
Web. 26 Aug. 2016.
aesthetic designs provided prototypes for several modern buildings and designs. It Fallingwater: Frank Lloyd
wasnt just the architectural value of his designs, it was the basis of a new art form. Wright
 Organic Architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright invented a philosophy known as organic

architecture. The concept of this philosophy is that the
building should develop out of the nature surrounding it.
Through Wrights philosophy, in his architecture he displayed
originality in his designs, and opposed ornate Neoclassical
and Victorian styles which were the styles particularly used.
Frank was also against mechanical imposition of
predetermined styles. Through his philosophy, his
architectural form was determined by the function of that
building, the environment, and the materials that are being
used to construct the form. This style of Architecture is used
to create harmony between human civilization and the natural
world.
 Santiago Calatrava

Neuman, Clayton. Santiago Calatrava.

Digital image. TIME. TIME Inc., 20 Apr.
2007. Web. 4 Jan. 2017.

Santiago Calatrava was born in Benimmet, Valencia, Spain. Calatrava Quadracci Pavilion (Calatrava)
through his architectural designs displayed a connection between by Santiago Calatrava.
engineering and biology. He was inspired by the mechanical precision of
Mellor, Chris. Quadracci
several animals. This includes specific physical features and their Pavilion-Milwaukee Art Museum. Digital
skeletons. The connection between engineering and biology in the form image.Architectural Digest. Cond Nast,
3 Mar. 2016. Web. 26 Aug. 2016.
of an architectural art was never seen before. Calatrava has produced
Quadracci Pavilion-Milwaukee Art
several different projects across the world, but is famous for his use of Museum
biology in his work.
 Connecting Engineering and Biology

Santiago Calatrava was inspired by the skeleton structures of

animals, and physical forms such as wings. The precision of a
dog skeleton inspired Calatravas first big civic commision. This
project was a train station in Zurich, Switzerland and the
corridors resembled an animal's rib cage. Natures movement and
forms inspire Calatrava in several of his architectural designs.
Throughout his designs he includes biomorphic qualities. His art
museum in Milwaukee has wings that open to the sky. A train
station in Lisbon has columns that look like a forest of palm trees.
A planetarium in Valencia, Spain, began with the sketch of a
human eyeball(Tischler, 2010). Calatrava is known for his
Quadracci Pavilion (Calatrava) by
connection between Biology and Engineering.
Santiago Calatrava.

Mellor, Chris. Quadracci Pavilion-Milwaukee Art

Museum. Digital image.Architectural Digest. Cond
Nast, 3 Mar. 2016. Web. 26 Aug. 2016. Quadracci
Pavilion-Milwaukee Art Museum
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright pioneered the form of
architecture known as Organic
Architecture, in which he involves
principles of nature and represents them in
his designs with specific materials.
Designed his buildings specifically based on
the terrain, and worked across the nation to
design on several varied, and diverse terrains.
Similarities
Both architects connected principles of
nature to their designs, which allowed for a
sense of natural presence among the building
and the landscape.
Both incorporated principles of nature into
the engineering process of their designs, and
the designs of the buildings produce and
natural feel, along with a structural basis of
interpretation.
Both architects have clear intentions build
into their designs, and the influences in the
design are clear, which allows the viewer of
the art to identify the several aspects built
into the design.
Santiago Calatrava
Santiago Calatrava connected Engineering
and the field of Biology together, to create
his form of architecture. His designs
represent an aspect of an animal to
incorporate into the engineering.
Incorporated functional aspects toward his
designs in the buildings to serve the
community, not to only add the functional
aspects as a beauty piece.
Comparison of Techniques
Both Frank Lloyd Wright and Santiago Calatrava Both Frank Lloyd Wright and Santiago Calatrava had clear
connected principles of nature to their designs, which intentions in their designs, and the influences in the
allowed for natural presence amongst their buildings and design are clear, which allows the viewer of the art to
the landscape around their designs. Frank Lloyd Wright identify the several aspects built into the design. These
primarily focused on his use of color and form to depict intentions are based off of using nature and form into their
the landscape into his design to produce a natural appeal. designs. Frank Lloyd Wright designed his buildings
Santiago Calatrava used biological forms such as bones specifically based on the terrain, and worked across the
or wings, to incorporate into the structure of the design. nation to design on several varied, and diverse terrains.
For example, in his Quadracci Pavilion he uses wing-like Incorporated functional aspects toward his designs in the
forms to suggest a bird. buildings to serve the community, not to only add the
functional aspects as a beauty piece.
Both Frank Lloyd Wright and Santiago Calatrava used
forms and elements of the natural sciences. Frank Lloyd
Wright pioneered the form of architecture known as
Organic Architecture, in which he involves principles of
nature and represents them in his designs with specific
materials. Santiago Calatrava connected Engineering and
the field of Biology together, to create his form of
architecture. His designs represent an aspect of an animal
to incorporate into the engineering.
 Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright

Fallingwater is a house built by Frank Lloyd Wright, between 1936

and 1939. This house was designed and built over a waterfall in
Pennsylvania. The remarkable thing about the home is that it doesnt
appear to even be on solid ground, rather only above a 30 waterfall.
Wrights concept of Organic Architecture comes from his
background of how human life is a part of nature, and to be one with
nature. Wright emphasized the connection to nature with the use of
glass throughout the house. The house has no walls facing toward the
waterfall, rather a large window to create the connection to the falls.

Devore, Lenore. Fallingwater. Digital image.

The Ledger. The Ledger.com, 24 Aug.
2016. Web. 2 Dec. 2016. Fallingwater:
Frank Lloyd Wright
 Taliesin West by Frank Lloyd Wright
The Taliesin West house by Frank Lloyd Wright is his personal
winter home, that is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Once again,
Wright used his concept of Organic Architecture, in which he
connected both the house to the desert that surrounds it. Wright used
principles and colors of the desert to incorporate into the
construction of the house, and the house has a prehistoric grandeur
to it too. This house is a symbol of Wrights versatility and
influential expansion throughout the United States.

Kroll, Andrew. Taliesin West. Digital image.

ArchDaily. ArchDaily, 29 Mar. 2011. Web. 12 Sept.
2016.
 Quadracci Pavilion (Calatrava) by Santiago Calatrava
Mellor, Chris. Quadracci
Pavilion-Milwaukee Art Museum.
Digital image.Architectural Digest.
Cond Nast, 3 Mar. 2016. Web. 26 Aug.
2016. Quadracci Pavilion-Milwaukee
Art Museum
The Quadracci Pavilion was created by Santiago Calatrava in
2001. Calatrava wanted the pavilion to connect the lakeshore and
the city together. The freedom he was given allowed him to
express the lake. The characteristics of the lake being the
sailboats, weather, and the movement and change. In the design,
it can be seen that Santiago Calatrava used his skills of
connecting both Biology and Engineering in the way that the
pavilion looks like the wings of a bird. There is a unique harmony
that is created between the white of the pavilion and the
background of the blue waters of Lake Michigan.
Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright Similarities Quadracci Pavilion by Santiago
Calatrava

Both capture the principles and features of

the landscape around the building. Both
display the techniques and intentions of both
architects and the connection to nature they
both include.

Frank Lloyd Wright uses Organic Both use nature in the designs as an Santiago Calatrava uses his famous
Architecture, to connect the building to inspiration, and to allow for perspective. connection of Biology and Engineering to
nature. connect the pavilion to the lakeshore.

Wright used form, function, and the Both designs are aesthetically pleasing based Santiago Calatrava used the character of
environment to design this building. on the unique structures they provide. Lake Michigan to develop his design.

Wright used specific details in the building Both used their own philosophies of Calatrava used the new advances in
to have a purpose/function to the architecture, and took made good use of technology and materials to design
environment. their surroundings and technology. something that was never built before in this
complexity.
Falling Water vs. Quadracci Pavilion
Both Falling Water and the Quadracci Pavilion capture the principles and features
of the landscape around the building. Both display the techniques and intentions of
both architects and the connection to nature they both include. Santiago Calatrava
utilized negative space throughout the pavilion, specifically the wing-like structure
which captures the harmony that the white of the pavilion and the blue waters of
Lake Michigan produce together. Frank Lloyd Wright used the movement of the
waterfall, and the form of the rocks to formulate the structure of the building to
follow a unique overlapping of different areas of the house.

Wright used form, function, and the environment to design this building. Santiago
Calatrava used the character of Lake Michigan to develop his design. Both designs
are aesthetically pleasing based on the unique structures they provide, and the use
of natural colors that depict a natural presence of the designs in their surrounding
environment. Wright used specific details in the building to have a purpose/function
to the environment. For example, Wright used the windows to capture the beauty of
the environment while inside of the house to connect one to nature. Calatrava used
the new advances in technology and materials to design something that was never
built before in this complexity. Both used their own philosophies of architecture, and
took made good use of their surroundings and technology.
Taliesin House by Frank Lloyd Similarities Quadracci Pavilion by Santiago
Wright Calatrava

Both capture the principles and features of

the landscape around the building. Both
display the techniques and intentions of both
architects and the connection to nature they
both include.

Frank Lloyd Wright uses Organic Both use nature in several of their designs as Santiago Calatrava uses his famous
Architecture, to connect the building to an inspiration, and to allow for perspective. connection of Biology and Engineering to
nature. connect the pavilion to the lakeshore.

Wright used form, function, and the Both designs are aesthetically pleasing based Santiago Calatrava used the character of
environment to design this building. on the unique structures they provide. Lake Michigan to develop his design.

Wright used specific details in the building Both used their own philosophies of Calatrava used the new advances in
to have a purpose/function to the architecture, and took made good use of their technology and materials to design
environment. surroundings and technology. something that was never built before in this
complexity.
Taliesin House vs Quadracci Pavilion
Both the Taliesin House and Quadracci Pavilion capture the principles and
features of the landscape around the building. Both display the techniques and
intentions of both architects and the connection to nature they both include. Frank
Lloyd Wright uses Organic Architecture, to connect the house to natural rocky,
desert environment in Arizona. Santiago Calatrava uses his famous connection of
Biology and Engineering to connect the pavilion to the lakeshore. Both architects
create harmony between the forms and colors that are surrounding their
designated locations for their designs.

Both use nature in several of their designs as an inspiration, and to allow for
interpretation of the structures that both architects create. Wright used specific
details in the building to have a purpose/function to the environment. For example,
the pool of water in front of the house provides a contrasting appearance toward
the environment as water is difficult to locate in desert environments. Calatrava
used the new advances in technology and materials to design something that was
never built before in this complexity. The wing-like structures of the pavilion can
shift manually to allow for light to enter the pavilion, which creates a natural
connection.
Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright Similarities Taliesin House by Frank Lloyd
Wright

Both of these buildings are designed by Frank

Lloyd Wright, and are both designed by his
concept of Organic Architecture.

Wrights design involved a forest-like Wright used nature in both designs to allow Wrights design was based around the scenery
ecosystem and waterfall, to connect to the for perspective. of the desert in Arizona which can be seen in
building to nature. the background.

The houses terraces follow the pattern of the Both connect the developments of the design House used the desert scenery followed the
rocks below. with the principles of the surrounding colors and movement of the desert.
environment.

Glass walls and windows, allowed for a Both use materials that represent the Mosaic-like surfaces to recreate the feel and
non-existence wall to freely connect to the principles of the landscapes that are present. principles of the desert ground.
landscape.
Taliesin House vs Falling Water
Both the Taliesin House and Falling Water were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
In both designs, Wright utilizes the environment to capture his use of materials
which seem organic in the environments that he uses them in. In Falling Water, he
uses the tan, and other hues of brown and grey bricks to depict the colors of the
rocks. The houses terraces follow the pattern of the rocks below. While in the
Taliesin house, Wright uses different hues of red and white to depict the desert
color in the behind the house. The house used the desert scenery followed the
colors and movement of the desert. Both contain contrasting elements, which
catch the viewers attention. In Falling Water, the tan structures which overlap each
other contrast in color from the entire building. In the Taliesin house, the pool of
water in the front contrasts to the color and the natural elements in the desert such
as water not being as frequently located in these biomes.

Wrights design for Falling Water involved a forest-like ecosystem and waterfall, to
connect to the building to nature. Wrights design for the Taliesin house was based
around the scenery of the desert in Arizona which can be seen in the background.
Glass walls and windows in Falling Water allow for a non-existence wall to freely
connect to the landscape. Mosaic-like surfaces in the Taliesin House recreate the
texture and rocky desert ground.
Comparison to Santiago Calatrava
While working on this architectural design, I wanted to incorporate the
Eagle, and one of my favorite sports being football. My main intention
was to design different forms of possible stadium designs that
incorporate eagle characteristics. By characteristics, I would incorporate
more physical characteristics such as the wings, the sharp, line of the
beak, and the tail feathers. I wanted to imitate Santiago Calatrava's
technique and architectural designs, and his incorporation of animal
biology and anatomy. I think that it is unique to connect architecture and
biology to manipulate the materials used to build the building to recreate
the physical shapes and qualities that certain animals have. Throughout
my designs and process of creating the designs, I kept in mind how to
incorporate the eagle's physical characteristics into a football stadium. By
characteristics of Calatravas work, I incorporated physical characteristics
such as the wings, the sharp, line of the beak, and the tail feathers. I
wanted to imitate Santiago Calatrava's technique and architectural
designs, and his incorporation of animal biology and anatomy.
Comparison to Santiago Calatrava

For my Stadium design, I intended on creating a design which displayed the

form of the Eagles famous characteristics. These include the beak, wings, and
feathered tail. As seen to the left, the beak is the form that creates the ground
level for the field. The wings function as seating levels, and continue the form
toward the beak. The feathered tail can be seen toward the right of the beak,
and it is the location for the scoreboard and presentation booths for
broadcasting. I think that it is unique to connect architecture and biology to
manipulate the materials used to build the building to recreate the physical
shapes and qualities that certain animals have. Throughout my designs and
process of creating the designs, I kept in mind how to incorporate the eagle's
physical characteristics into a football stadium. I think that the previously
mentioned intentions are clearly displayed within these designs. Throughout
the process of my designs, I focused on key elements and features that
Santiago Calatrava focused on during his designs. I intended on incorporating
significant physical features of the eagle, to create an efficient stadium that
could depict these characteristics through structural design.
 Comparison to Frank Lloyd Wright
For my Baseball stadium design, I was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wrights style of
architecture which was Organic Architecture.Through his philosophy, his
architecture displayed originality in his designs, and provided new ideas in the
architectural community. His architectural form was determined by the function of
the building, environment, and the materials that were being used to construct the
form. I focused on incorporating Wright's philosophy and style of architecture to
design a stadium to match the scenery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

My stadium design incorporated line and form, and it replicates the structures of
the buildings in downtown Milwaukee. I focused on Frank Lloyd Wright's
philosophy of Organic Architecture, but incorporated it into the scenery of
downtown Milwaukee, to design a baseball stadium that would work with the
environment around it in downtown Milwaukee. I focused on manipulating the
possible seating arrangements to view a game in this stadium design. I also
manipulated the shape of the outfield fence and the distance from home plate they
would be. Frank Lloyd Wright also used line and form to create unique structures
such as replicating the rock formations under the house in his design for Falling
Water.
Comparison to Frank Lloyd Wright
In my stadium design, I incorporated more curved lines in the seating levels to
replicate some of the buildings by the lakefront of Lake Michigan such as the
form of the Calatrava and the Discovery World building. I though still
incorporated the linear forms that the buildings provide, and replicate their form
to an extent. Through my stadium design, I intended on capturing the city of
Milwaukee as a whole, which allows for more interpretation of the possible
qualities that the stadium design represents in the environmental context of
where the stadium is located in the city. I incorporated and manipulated levels
of seating above others to display structural support to an extent that is visual
in the inside perspective of the stadium which is above to the right.

My main focus was completing a design that captured the forms and structural
qualities of buildings that are notable in the entire city of Milwaukee. This
incorporation is significant based off of the modernizing architecture, and the
rich polish and german cultural history in Wisconsin as a whole. The scenery of
the architecture in the city especially in downtown Milwaukee is modernizing
and is suggesting a futuristic type of structural design. I wanted to focus on the
environment and scenery of Milwaukee, and incorporate all of the development
and forms to create a baseball stadium that depicts these visual and structural
qualities throughout the city.