3D Renderings of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unbuilt Architecture Celebrate His Creative Genius

Rendering of Arizona Capitol by Frank Lloyd Wrightl

Arizona Capitol Building

One of the most prolific architects of the 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright had no shortage of ideas. Throughout his life, he designed 1,171 architectural works. Many of them, like the Guggenheim Museum and Fallingwater, were eventually built. But over half—660 to be exact—never moved beyond paper. Now, thanks to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, we are finally getting a look at what his unbuilt architecture would have looked like.

Working with digital artist David Romero, the organization has been building an impressive library of renderings that show Wright's creative genius. From the Butterfly Bridge that would have connected San Francisco and Oakland to the floating cabins of the Lake Tahoe Summer Colony, it's clear that Wright's creativity had no limits.

The reasons that these pieces of incredible architecture were never built vary. In 1957, Wright's homage to his adopted home state of Arizona was rejected for several reasons. While Wright considered his avant-garde design for the Arizona State Capitol Building to be a gift to the city, officials felt otherwise. Deemed too ornate and, with a price tag of $5 million, too costly, he was passed over for the project.

In the case of the cliff-side Morris House, it's not completely clear why the family did not go with Wright's design. But, in examining two of his ideas for the California home, it's clear that Wright is refining the blending of architecture and nature that he so expertly executed at Fallingwater. In one design, the home looks like a modern lighthouse topped with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the homeowners to drink in the view of the San Francisco Bay. A second design uses rounded forms that meld into the cliffs and seamlessly merge the home and the natural surroundings.

Another standout design is Wright's vision for an auto showroom and workshop. In 1947, he was asked to renovate Roy Wetmore's service station and dealership. What Wright provided was a futuristic design that included a ramp allowing a car to be displayed on the roof. Unfortunately, Wetmore wished to simply renovate the existing structure rather than demolish it and start over, so the project never came to fruition. A later remodel of the business did incorporate the car ramp on the roof.

Thanks to Wright's meticulous sketches, Romero has been able to bring these ideas to life and give a new generation of architecture lovers a reminder of why Wright had such a long, influential career.

Take a look at more 3D renderings of Frank Lloyd Wright's incredible unbuilt architecture.

Frank Lloyd Wright Auto showroom and workshop for Roy Wetmore

Auto showroom and workshop for Roy Wetmore

Morris House I by Frank Lloyd Wright

Morris House I

Morris House II by Frank Lloyd Wright

Morris House II

Lake Tahoe Summer Colony by Frank Lloyd Wright

Lake Tahoe Summer Colony

Frank Lloyd Wright created 1,171 architectural designs, but 660 were never built.

Gordon Strong Automobile Objective by Frank Lloyd Wright

Gordon Strong Automobile Objective

Trinity Chapel by Frank Lloyd Wright

Trinity Chapel

Huntington Hartford by Frank Lloyd Wright

Huntington Hartford Sports Club and Play Resort

Butterfly Bridge by Frank Lloyd Wright

Butterfly Bridge

The Illinois Unbuilt Skyscraper by Frank Lloyd Wright

The Illinois

These renderings by Spanish digital artist David Romero help us understand Wright's creative vision for these spaces.

Unbuilt Rosenwald School by Frank Lloyd Wright

Rosenwald School

Pauson House by Frank Lloyd Wright

Pauson House

Smith House by Frank Lloyd Wright

Smith House

Masieri Memorial by Frank Lloyd Wright

Masieri Memorial

Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Related Articles:

Designers Help Bring Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unbuilt Projects to Life

Enjoy a Virtual Tour of Architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Lost ‘Imperial Hotel’

15+ Frank Lloyd Wright-Inspired Gifts for Architects and Architecture Lovers

The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright: 10 Historic Buildings by the Legendary American Architect

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.

Sponsored Content