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Short History | Louis Sullivan | Renovation Louis SullivanOften referred to as the “father of modernism” and considered by many as the creator of the modern skyscraper, Louis Sullivan was a pioneer of modern architecture and the inspiration to architects of the Prairie School. As a founder of the "Chicago School" of architecture, Sullivan achieved fame early on in his career for brilliant designs in steel-frame construction, which led to the emergence of the first skyscraper. His most famous former draftsman, Frank Lloyd Wright, often referred to Sullivan as his mentor and “Lieber Meister,” or beloved master. Sullivan forged a new path in architecture. He was famously skilled at integrating function, architecture and ornamentation into his designs. Sullivan abandoned the imagery of the past and — with the help of new construction techniques — formulated a new visual language. This language came to be known as The Chicago School and Louis Sullivan was at the vanguard. He successfully pulled together ideas that had been developed independently and created a new philosophy and a new art of building. It was a positive, modernist movement that spoke of progress and influenced architecture for decades to come. The Chicago School created the first skyscrapers, with Sullivan giving the buildings strong, soaring vertical lines. Yet it was Sullivan’s love of decorative elements inspired by nature that gave these buildings their unique character. His philosophy of “Form follows Function” can be seen on many buildings he designed, including:
Our building – the Krause Music Store – was Sullivan’s last work at the age of 65 (1921-22). Two years later, he died penniless and nearly forgotten. |
