Fallingwater, An American Architectural Marvel

August 28, 2024 112 Comments

28 Aug

Fallingwater, an American architectural marvel nestled in the Laurel Highlands is a few hours from our home. Close enough for an overnight trip to visit plus another FLW home, Kentuck Knob. Check out my post about our visit there. We took the first tour of the day then headed to Fallingwater.

We joined cousins, Don and Rosemary. Rosemary blogs at My Home and Travels Visit her blog HERE.

Overnight trip to the Laural Highlands

Jim and I visited nearby Fort Necessity (see post here) the day before.

Jim, my husband and Don, Rosemary’s husband are pictured here in the large main room. Don’t you love the floor? It is local stone. Using local natural elements is a trademark of Frank Lloyd Wright’s esthetic.

For this post, I am focusing on the large main room details and the exterior.

Focus on Interior and External design

Jim and I both enjoy visiting historical sites that include homes.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Fallingwater though a very modern design it is not only iconic; it is historical. Construction was competed in 1939, 85 years ago. Definitely on the bucket list place to visit!

Fallingwater’s backstory

‘Fallingwater is the only major Wright work to come into the public domain with its setting, artwork and original Wright-designed furnishings intact.’

In 1963, Edgar Kaufmann jr. donated and entrusted Fallingwater and the surrounding 469 acres of natural land to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy., a nonprofit conservation organization established in 1932.”

It is one of the most famous private homes in the US that is now made available for the public to visit since 1964. Fallingwater was the summer home designed in 1935 and completed 4 years later by renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) for the Kaufmann family, owners of Pittsburgh’s largest department store.

Edgar Kaufmann Jr., the only child of the Kaufmann made arrangements to ensure his family vacation home would be protected, preserved and open to the pubic. He recognized Fallingwater was an American architectural marvel by the country’s gifted architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. Due to his foresight and generosity, we can visit this American architectural marvel.

a closer look in the main room

We were able to move around in each space to look closely at the woodwork, furniture and art, ceramics and other decorative items as the knowledgable guide lead us through the home.

His influence on current architecture and furnishing was apparent as we took in all the details.

If you have visited historical homes, you know there are usually ropes to prevent entry into rooms and over chairs and couches to prevent sitting on the furniture. There were no ropes at Fallingwater.

Wright, a fan of built-in open shelving and cabinets designed these in the dining area to hold the Kaufmann’s personal collections of dishes, silver dishes and other decorative items.

The small kitchen was typical of Wright’s kitchens. I’m not sure he appreciated the art of cooking! He did appreciate simplicity though there is great care taken in every details of his designs.

What stuck me as we walked through was our current day decor is influenced by Fallingwater’s decor.

It was very apparent to me that our current day decor is strongly influenced by Fallingwater’s decor. Wright was a master at using natural elements and locally sourced woods and stones.

He was also influenced by traditional Asian architectural structures. Elegance, function and nature in design come together to make Fallingwater remarkable.

Wright included specific spaces for the Kauffman’s extensive art collection that including Asian art and textiles.

influence recognized for today’s interiors

‘Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater is one of his most widely acclaimed works and best exemplifies his philosophy of organic architecture: the harmonious union of art and nature.’

There is no question he was genius at creating a harmonious flow from the exteriors to the interiors. Stone, beautiful woods with pillars, trim, shelving and furniture is simple stunning.

The pottery and textiles reflect the red sandstone color of the area. Lush rugs scattered in the open spaces, blankets, pillows and other soft furnishings are additions that warm up the spaces that could feel cold and harsh like many ultra modern interiors of home and public buildings.

I was very glad to have a tour guide through this massive multi level home!

Fallingwater reflects the enviorment

It is called Fallingater because it is designed to look like a water fall It does actually sit on a water fall and is tucked into the hillside.

This is the main swimming pool feed by spring water. Sculpture and art is prominent in the decor inside and out! There is also a lap pool under a set of exterior stairs. Mrs. Kaufmann enjoyed morning swims in the nude. It is partially hidden from sight.

Fallingwater was designed with the environment in mind. It is indeed timeless.

plan a fallingwater visit

Can you tell I am giving my whole hearted recommendation to visit Fallingwater?

There are a number of hotel in the area. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, Uniontown. See details HERE. The breakfasts were so good. The staff was friendly, the lobby with a welcoming fire was pretty.

A few other details about planning a visit. Reserved your tickets ahead time. The box lunches should also be reserved from the cafe. It was delicious. The tables were situated outside on the deck area. The ticket pick up and cafe are co-located with the gift shop and near the parking. From there, we walked a short distance to the home’s site.

Details for planning your visit can be found HERE.

Afterward the tour, we took a different path back to the visitor center. There we lingered to see the full sight of the water fall that defined the vision that was made reality by Wright’s genius.

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