clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

What if Frank Lloyd Wright Designed the CTA's Transit Map?

New, 2 comments

Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie flair is reflected in everything he did. From his architectural drawings to the way he signed his name, Wright's style is certainly unique and identifiable. And while the famous architect wasn't a cartographer, it wouldn't have been too surprising to see Wright dabble in the art of map making. Author, map enthusiast and transit design historian Mark Ovenden was recently in Chicago to discuss the Chicago transit, CTA design and the latest edition of his Transit Maps of The World book. Another item he presented was this map of the CTA rail system in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright. Designed by British cartographer Maxwell Roberts, the map is of the same CTA system we're all familiar with, but reimagined in the style of Wright's Prairie School. The map is bordered with a design that harkens to Wright's art glass designs, while the font is composed of letters that may have been found on a building designed by Wright. Roberts is no stranger to Chicago's transit system, and has designed other CTA maps that try to make the system easier to navigate. This particular design does make things a little more complicated, but it's sure nice to look at.

·Unofficial Map: Chicago "El" in the Style of Frank Lloyd Wright by Maxwell Roberts [Transit Maps]
·Subway Maps Never Stop: Designs Are Always in Motion [Curbed Chicago]
·Cool Map Thing archive [Curbed Chicago]