Urban Prairie
With its dramatic horizontal lines, deep roof overhangs, expansive free-flowing spaces, earthy materials and ribbons of glazing, an Urban Prairie design owes much to the famed architect and Prairie School founder Frank Lloyd Wright.
Frank Lloyd Wright upset the status quo. He wondered whether there was a more appropriate style of home for the American landscape – what he called ‘Organic Architecture’ – and the Prairie style was born. The Prairie School of architects, of which he was the most prominent member, took inspiration from the flat, wide prairies of the American Midwest. The houses took long forms, low to the ground with striking horizontal lines and long, low-pitched roof structures with deep eaves, to protect against the harsh mid-western sun.
Wright not only transformed house designs in Chicago and the Midwest, his furniture and window designs helped inspire the Art Deco movements, and his beliefs helped inform the philosophy of Mid-Century Modernism.
The Prairie house makes a proud statement. A solid base firmly grounds the home. Broad, rendered corbeling creates a strong, continuous horizontal line to clearly define the second storey, which visually recedes with expansive windows under deep eaves. Ideal for the Perth climate, the shallow-pitched but elegant hipped roof extends to provide shade in summer, while the large openings and outdoor living spaces open up to make the most of cooling afternoon breezes.
Earthy natural finishes provide timeless appeal, combined with natural stacked stone or clay face brick. Inside, window seats and built-in joinery, like luxurious dining nooks and cabinetry recapture the design integrity of the Prairie style. It’s a robust style which can accommodate everything from contemporary furniture to stylish antiques of any era.
Urban Prairie Home Designs
Grounded, confident, unpretentious and enduring, our urban-style homes are perfect for tree-lined boulevards in leafy suburbs close to the city, where parks and open spaces abound, and homes can settle comfortably into their environment.
1. What characterises the architectural style of an urban prairie home?
Urban prairie homes are influenced by the Prairie School of architecture and the flat, wide prairies of the American Midwest. This style is characterised by robust foundations, sweeping horizontal lines, and low-pitched roof structures with deep eaves.
2. How can I find experienced builders specialising in urban prairie home construction?
Oswald Homes are highly experienced in building urban prairie homes. In fact, we are uniquely suited to customising a home that is beyond ordinary. We can help you create a home that is luxuriously appointed and reflective of your personal style.
Oswald Homes has been designing and building luxury urban prairie-style homes in Perth since 1972. We work hand-in-hand with a designer, an interior designer and an experienced construction team to create a one-of-a-kind home that is as individual as it is timeless.
3. What are the key design elements and characteristics of an urban prairie home?
Prairie homes often feature several key design elements, such as expansive windows and rendered corbelling to emphasise horizontal lines. The interior is typically open-plan and free-form, accented with earthy tones, natural materials and built-in joinery.
4. Are urban prairie homes designed to be energy-efficient and sustainable?
Oswald Homes prides itself on designing homes that are sustainable and energy efficient. Our urban prairie homes incorporate passive heating and cooling design, smart lighting, wise water use, recycled materials, and eco-conscious building products.
5. How does urban prairie architecture blend with modern amenities and technologies?
Urban prairie architecture can include modern amenities, such as the latest smart home technologies, contemporary kitchens and luxurious ensuites, without disrupting architectural integrity. The result is a harmonious blend of prairie charm and cutting-edge living, perfect for today’s discerning homeowner.
6. Can you provide examples of completed urban prairie home projects for inspiration?
Oswald Homes have some completed projects that are stunning examples of urban prairie architecture. For example, The Austin features dramatic horizontal lines, deep roof overhangs and expansive free-flowing spaces.
