Walter Burley Griffin was an American architect and landscape architect who is best known for designing Canberra, the capital city of Australia. He was also a pioneer of the Prairie School movement, which emphasized harmony with nature and organic forms.

Griffin was born in Maywood, Illinois, in 1876. He studied architecture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and after graduating in 1899, he worked for several architectural firms in Chicago. In 1901, he married Marion Mahony, who would become his lifelong collaborator.

In 1911, Griffin won the international competition to design Canberra. His winning design was based on the principles of the City Beautiful movement, which advocated for the use of grand boulevards, parks, and other civic spaces to create a sense of order and beauty in urban areas. Griffin also incorporated elements of the Prairie School movement into his design, such as the use of natural materials and the integration of buildings with the surrounding landscape.

Griffin's design for Canberra was not without its critics. Some argued that it was too idealistic and impractical, and that it would be too expensive to build. However, Griffin's vision for Canberra eventually prevailed, and the city was built according to his plans.

In addition to Canberra, Griffin also designed several other cities, including Griffith and Leeton in New South Wales, and Castlecrag in Sydney. He also designed a number of individual buildings, including the Robie House in Chicago and the Athenaeum in Melbourne.

The key design principles that Griffin embedded in his work include:

* **Harmony with nature:** Griffin believed that buildings should be designed in harmony with the natural landscape. He often used natural materials, such as wood and stone, in his designs, and he incorporated elements of the surrounding landscape into his plans.
* **Organic forms:** Griffin believed that buildings should be designed in organic forms that reflected the natural world. He often used curves and flowing lines in his designs, and he avoided sharp angles and right angles.
* **A sense of order:** Griffin believed that cities should be designed in a way that created a sense of order and harmony. He often used grand boulevards, parks, and other civic spaces to create a sense of order and beauty in his designs.

Griffin's work has had a lasting impact on the development of urban planning and architecture. His designs for Canberra, Griffith, Leeton, and Castlecrag are still admired today, and they continue to inspire architects and planners around the world.
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