Fallingwater Falls
My history blog on chairs to be continued… I digress to share this amazing country house with you.*
Most of you know I am an ardent lover of architecture and enjoy writing, viewing and speaking architecture.
Fallingwater Entrance
I would hope you might enjoy this story and perhaps experience the recently restored country retreat, two hours out from Pittsburgh, in Bear Run, PA. The retreat was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, (FLW), and built for his client Edgar J. Kaufmann between 1936 and 1939. Fallingwater instantly became famous, and today it is a National Historic Landmark.
The Kaufmann family summer camp home was a small cabin with no heat and no running water. They slept outdoors in screened porches. The cabin stood near a country road. When traffic became noisy after the road was paved, the Kaufmanns decided it was time to build a more modern vacation house.
Frank Lloyd Wright
They turned to FLW to design it for them. At the time, their son was fascinated with Wright’s ideas and was studying with him at Wright’s school, the Taliesin Fellowship.
The Kaufmanns, who had recently become interested in modern art and design, also were intrigued by Wright’s ideas, and asked him to design a new vacation house. They knew that Wright loved nature, as they did, and Wright knew the Kaufmanns wanted something special at Bear Run, something only an innovative architect like himself could design. He knew they loved the waterfall. He decided to make it part of the new house.
When the Kaufmanns first looked at Wright’s drawings, they were surprised! They thought their new house would have a wonderful view of the falls. But instead, with the house right on top of the falls, it was difficult to even see them. Frank Lloyd Wright told the family he wants them to live with the waterfall and not just to look at them now and then.**
Edgar J. Kaufmann Sr., the owner of the land, worked with Frank Lloyd Wright, and often had volatile synergy between them as they made their contributions to the creation of the most celebrated house in American History. The design and construction was challenging causing turbulence between the two.
Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors, working, living, shopping. What do you think about shelter? Shelter that provides environments for your lifestyle?
To be continued…next week.
In the meantime…Fallingwater remains the residential treasure of our time, and it awaits and welcomes those who wish to see and enjoy its magnificence. It is the most complete work of Frank Lloyd Wright accessible for viewing. Fallingwater is available to the public today because of the excellent maintenance, preservation, and operation by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, (WPC) and it awaits your experience and enjoyment. For information go to www.paconserve.org or call toll-free 1-866-564-6972.
It is difficult to get to the falls. You have to walk down the stairs from the great room, it is opposite the staircase and the terracing is in the way. But, the sound could be heard. It has outbuildings and an out of the way guest room/studio. The property is beautiful.
Oh, wow! What a house to tour. I will put this on my list, too. Although, I think I would want to look out my window at that waterfall, too. 🙂
Glorious! The second I saw it, I knew it was FLW. A true artist whose work was before its time. Love him. I will have to put this on a place to visit on one of my leaf peeping trips. Thanks Gail for sharing this with us.
WOW! What a well-informed group you are. I am so impressed. His work and philosophy has influenced the architectural and design community the world over. All his work is fantastic and rare, but the unusual Fallingwater is worth the trip.
Beautiful Gail. FLW was truly a visionary. One of my favorite things about my house is the placement of my massage room. It has two long Windows that have a view of my perennial bed. When I’m doing a massage, I get the feeling of being in the garden with the hummingbirds and butterflies.
Paula, your massage room sounds beautiful. You benefit from natural light and a garden while you work and your client benefits from your magical hands.
FLW was an architectural genius of the early 20th century, sort of like Apple visionary Steve Jobs. We miss Frank and we will miss Steve.
FLW was such a phenom–thanks for sharing the story and the gorgeous pics.
Stephanie, i am impressed so many know of FLW. Thanks. He was a marvel in his architectural life. He still influences the architectural community.
I am looking forward to meeting you on Saturday. Can you stop by the front table and say hello since you have my photo here. I usually sit up front right near the speakers so i can read lips and hear.
Gail, I’ve always wanted to see this house someday. (And I’m fascinated by the horrible story of the murders at Taliesin) FLW was truly a genius, and I’m not one to question genius. But personally I’d rather see the waterfall out my window than have it burbling through my house! I guess I have no vision. 🙂
Fallingwater is gorgeous, fascinating, creative, but before the restoration it leaked and suffered from crumbling concrete. His design ideas were tops, but his engineering ability left some doubt. Today we have methodologies of improvements for creative architecture.
So, you read about his life “Loving Frank?” His romantic ending was unexpected and sad, but just? What do you think?
Great post Gail. I’ve always admired that FLW house. I hope I get to visit it one day. I admit it. I do like being at home, especially when it’s cold (but that’s probably the caveman genes in me)!
You, a caveman? Nah. But I agree, I love home too, cold or hot, and I am not even a caveman.