A Photographer Has Set Out to Capture All of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Buildings

Partaking in what sounds like the photography assignment of a lifetime is Andrew Pielage, who has set out to capture every one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s remaining works.

So far, he’s photographed 52 of the famous architect’s existing designs, and is totally committed to nab photos of all 521. But this ambitious project goes far beyond cataloguing purposes. The outdoor enthusiast and former nature photographer has conducted thorough research on Wright and the intention behind his designs, a meticulous method that informs the way Pielage shoots each individual property.

“When I go through his homes, I look for intimate views and tiny details that people often miss when they look at the whole picture,” the Phoenix-based photographer told Curbed. “Touring these properties, where the floor is as exciting as the ceiling, has changed how I do my photography. I often switch to landscape mode and capture the floor and furniture in one shot, then take a photo of the ceiling, then stack them up in Photoshop to provide the entire view.”

When he’s not attempting to gain access to the various properties by reaching out to private owners through email and phone calls, Pielage works with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to photograph some of the classic structures. And in August, he’s scheduled to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism for a weeklong photography excursion in which he will capture images on the New Wright Trail, a 200-mile stretch of road that takes visitors through nine counties in Southern Wisconsin. The route is home to multiple Wright-designed structures, including the SC Johnson Administration Building and the cantilevered Research Tower in Racine as well as Madison’s First Unitarian Society Meeting House, a congregation co-founded by Wright’s father.

In the meantime, we’ll be keeping a close watch on Pielage’s Instagram, where he shares all the Wright sites he’s snapped so far.