Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, located in rural southwestern Pennsylvania, has become an iconic organic architectural wonder and masterpiece that is recognised by millions around the world.
If you are heading to Pittsburgh it’s a great day trip to Fallingwater, perched atop a waterfall, the building’s natural integration with its surroundings has made it one of the most unique and breathtaking works of architecture in American history.
Designed in 1935 for the owner of the Kauffman Department Store, Edgar J. Kaufmann Sr., Fallingwater was constructed in harmony with the natural surroundings, with the aim of giving the impression that the building was an organic constituent of its environment. The result is a fusion between art and nature that celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the power of human creativity.
The house embodies Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture, which aims to unify the built environment with its surroundings. The building’s innovative design provides a unique and personal connection to nature, as it seems to be hugging the terrain, while the water trickling through the rocks below creates a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
The building’s design is based on a series of concrete cantilevers that extend beyond the surrounding boulders and cliffs. This intricate engineering feat allowed the construction of the building to appear as if it is floating over the waterfall, with the natural surroundings providing the inspiration for the building’s overall form.
Wright’s design approach for Falling Water was very much in keeping with his belief that “form follows function”. This approach is evident in the seamless integration of the interior and exterior spaces, such as the terraces surrounding the building, and the open-air living room that provides an expansive view of the waterfall and surrounding forest.
Inside the building, the modernist aesthetic is in full display, with simple lines, open spaces, and sleek furniture. The home’s décor is minimalistic yet elegant. Photographs are limited in the living quarters, but the outdoor open spaces are an instagrammers (wet) dream.
