Paper wonders with Frank Lloyd Wright

Explore and enjoy the architecture of one of the twentieth century’s greatest architects through the medium of the Japanese art of kirigami.

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) is considered to be North America’s greatest twentieth-century architect. His famous constructions are sited across the USA and beyond.

His style – which would come to be known as the Prairie style – was inspired by the broad, flat landscape he grew up in: America’s Midwest. It was the first uniquely American architectural style of “the American Century”. 

During his lifetime, Wright built hundreds of homes, museums, and office buildings. Sadly, many sites have since been demolished, but more than 400 Wright-designed buildings still stand.

Now, paper lovers have the opportunity to explore some of the most famous buildings of this great architectural luminary.

Frank Lloyd Wright paper models

London-based kirigami expert Marc Hagan-Guirey has created a beautiful book showcasing the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright in the form of kirigami paper models. 

Marc Hagan-Guirey is a kirigami paper artist and design director whose commissions for both private and commercial clients include pieces for the National Theatre, London Transport Museum, and Samsung Galaxy.

Laurence King Publishing publishes Frank Lloyd Wright paper models. Readers can browse through 14 of the architect’s most famous works and then build them using the tear-out sheets.

Frank Lloyd Wright buildings that are included in the 14-piece collection include the landmark Edgar J. Kauffman house “Falling Water” in Pennsylvania and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Clear instructions about cutting and folding each paper model are included, making the book suitable for even the youngest architecture aficionados. With careful scoring, cutting, and folding, it is possible to recreate one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpieces in around half an hour.

Architectural beauty for your home

The paper models are wonderful representations of some of the twentieth century’s most breath-taking architecture, buildings that explore some of the themes of life, the built environment, and our relationship with the natural world that we continue to struggle with today.

In the visionary words of Frank Lloyd Wright himself: “The mission of an architect is to help people understand how to make life more beautiful, the world a better one for living in, and to give a reason, rhyme, and meaning to life.”

Want more?

Find out more about the life and works of Frank Lloyd Wright: https://franklloydwright.org/frank-lloyd-wright/

Purchase Frank Lloyd Wright Paper Models by Marc Hagan-Guirey from the Detroit Institute of the Arts online shop: https://diashop.org/frank-lloyd-wright-paper-models/

Discover more paper craft projects ideal for the summer with our blog about summer paper crafts