Think of a scene from a movie or TV show that has had an impact on you. Now try to pinpoint what it is that makes that moment come to life. Certainly the actors and screenwriters bring the stories to life with their character development, and the cinematography frames images in a particularly pleasing way; but one element that can really make a scene is the setting, where the scene takes place. Sets often function as another character, communicating a mood, idea, or tone that would otherwise not come across.

Over the decades, many set designers and art directors have been inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright to make their settings impactful. Whether filmed on location in one of his structures, or subtly incorporated with signature Wrightian design elements, Wright’s influence can be seen in countless popular movies and TV shows. His timeless designs have proven to seamlessly fit into a variety of cinematic worlds, time periods, and genres.

The following is an excerpt from an article in the upcoming Spring 2019 issue of the Frank Lloyd Wright Quarterly magazine, “Timeless: Frank Lloyd Wright + Contemporary Pop Culture.” To read the full article, become a member of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and subscribe to the Quarterly magazine.