Theorist

Louis Sullivan

1856–1924 Early American skyscraper theory & ornament

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Production Power

Details

Nationality: American

Classifications

Holder: Individual
Source of authority: ReasonObservation
Subject: Human centred
Mode of transmission: Text drawingApprenticeship
Knowledge type: Propositional
Epistemic cluster: Western philosophical

Notes

[DRAFT] Chicago School architect, the 'father of the skyscraper', whose 1896 essay 'The Tall Office Building Artistically Considered' coined 'form follows function' and whose organic ornament married structure, expression and democratic ideals.

Connections

mentored Frank Lloyd Wright

Referenced by

Gottfried Semper influenced

Sources

Louis H. Sullivan. The Autobiography of an Idea. American Institute of Architects, 1924.
Robert Twombly. Louis Sullivan: His Life and Work. Viking, 1986.

Cite this entry

First published May 2026Last revised Jul 2026

CLAD. "Louis Sullivan." Atlas of Architectural Thought. CLAD, 2026. https://www.cl-ad.com.au/research/atlas/theorist/louis-sullivan/. Accessed July 17, 2026.