The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has just recently added eight masterworks by world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright to its list of World Heritage Sites.
The said architect was based on the United States has always been cited for his influential 20th-century designs. Although Wright died in 1959, his works have continued to influence and inspire modern-day architecture. The said architect's style includes unprecedented use of concrete and steel which has blurred the boundaries between the exterior and the interior of the building.
During their meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, the World Heritage Committee from UNESCO agreed on the said designation along with Italy's Prosecco wine region. 35 other sites have been nominated during the session.
Included in UNESCO's list are The Guggenheim in New York, Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, the Unity Temple in Oak Park Illinois, Hollyhock house in Los Angeles, Jacobs house and Spring Green's Taliesin - both in Wisconsin, Oakpark unity Temple and Robbie house - both in Illinois and Scottsdale's Taliesin in Arizona.
More commonly known as the Guggenheim Museum, one of New York's most prominent art museums was named after its founder, Solomon R. Guggenheim when he died in 1952. With six sets of working drawings, about 700 sketches, and 15 years of hard work, Wright was able to complete the said museum.
On the other hand, Pennsylvania's Fallingwater is a residential building made for Liliane and Edgar J. Kaufmann Sr. The couple owns Kauffman's Department store. The iconic house was built over one of Bear Run's waterfalls. Wright's fondness for Japanese architecture was reflected in this project as the harmony between man and nature is portrayed.
Home to the Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation, the Unity Temple has been regarded as the 20th century's most important structures. Many architects hail the Unity Temple as the first-ever modern building in the whole world. Wright used stained glass windows colored green, brown, and yellow to make up for the street-level windows that were scrapped from the previous design.
The US state department stated that these eight most recognizable buildings by Wright have, together, showcased Wright's influence on the course of architecture across the globe.
There are 23 other World Heritage Sites in the United States, making a total of 31 for the country. However, the eight new addition are the first ones for the field of architecture. Other World Heritage Sites from all over the world include international treasures such as the Great Wall of China and the timeless Pyramids of Giza.
