BACK

HOME

Fallingwater

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/flw/fallwatr.jpg

Construction on Fallingwater began in 1936 and was completed in 1939. It is located in Bear Run, Pennsylvania and in 1991 it was named by the American Institute of Architects as “the best all-time work of American architecture." Fallingwater was designed for the Edgar J. Kaufmann family and was a response to the family’s love of a waterfall on Bear Run. In designing this house, Wright embraced modern technology and  placed the house over the falls on a series of concrete “trays”. The house is oriented to the southeast, which Wright preferred, and the “trays” closely resemble the rock ledges that it rests upon. Although it rises above the falls, it maintains a sheltered appearance, and almost as much room is taken up by outdoor terraces as indoor rooms. (21). Fallingwater was one of Wright’s hardest works to construct, as it took nearly 3 years. The result, however, was well worth the wait. It has been called the best example of Wright’s use of organic architecture, and it is his most famous work. It has been said that “the house embodies a most powerful ideal-that people today can learn to live in harmony with nature” (22). Today, Fallingwater is Wright’s only work open to the public. It is said to unite architecture, nature and human life in a way no artist has been able to before or after Wright.