Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater: Inside the House That Forever Changed Architecture

I think nothing yet ever equaled the coordination, sympathetic expression of the great principle of repose where forest and stream and rock and all the elements of structure are combined so quietly that really you listen not to any noise whatsoever although the music of the stream is there. But you listen to Fallingwater the way you listen to the quiet of the country...

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These words were echoed by Frank Lloyd Wright, recalling the journey to establish his Magnus Opum, Fallingwater.

An American Masterpiece: The History and Architecture of Falling Water

Location: Bear Run, PA

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Video from: Videvo
Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress, Lykantrop, Apostoloff, Columbia Umiversity, The Kaufmann Legacy
Music from: Epidemic Sound
Assets from: Envato Elements

[stevevice]

Thank you for including Fallingwater in your series. I've studied this structure as part of my formal training as an Architect, and have visited it many times. It never fails to take my breath away every time I see it. Most buildings and homes in America are just variations on classical and traditional European design. Mr. Wright sought to build a new Architecture for America. Fallingwater is the culmination of his life's work and a true masterpiece that is revered throughout the world. It is well worth the trip if you are ever in the southwestern part of PA or the northwestern part of MD since it is pretty close to the state line. The whitewater rafting on the Youghiogheny River nearby is excellent.

[ReginaDillard]

Fallingwater is a masterpiece! I am fortunate to live in Oak Park, IL where FLW resided. Each day during my morning walk, I have the privilege of walking past his former home, the homes he personally designed, and those designed by his proteges.

[hangtimedangjang]

I've been obsessed with Fallingwater for nearly 30 years, and I finally visited in May. It's just magnificent. We were lucky enough to arrive early and get photos before anyone else arrived

[ralphgedney]

I have visited this house twice. What surprises me the most is that it was built around 1937 and it has a 1960's feel very modern and contemporary.

[ronaldhoover]

April of 2023 .... My third visit and have enjoyed everyone of them. This one was a little bit special as it was my 80th birthday surprise gift present by my children and grandchildren. Mr. Wright was way ahead in his time and has left us with some special works of art. This being not just a house, but a Master Piece. And thank you Kauffman's for sharing with the world.

[GJP]

I have loved this house for years. To me, there is no other house

[stephenritchings]

Mr Wright told aspiring architects---his apprentices, some of them---not to draw until an idea and a form were fully in mind. It is almost a certainty that he had the scheme for Fallingwater well in hand, in his head, on the day that he produced the drawings mentioned in the famous anecdote. Apprentices who were there reported no "bursting" and "demanding" on the part of Edgar Sr; those are embellishments. The cantilevers never reached a 7-degree slope; initial deflection was slight, and grew to 7" at its worst, over time. The stairs to the stream were not intended to encourage swimming, but viewing. Protected from the moving water, just upstream from the stairs, is a plunge pool for that purpose. The visitor center which Paul Mayen designed is remote from the house and garage, which was not "replaced."

[alexius]

As a child I saw a photo of Falling Water. I was just stunned. Hope to visit some day.

[LJB]

This was amazing to visit. Due to the stone floors, Wright gave the dining chairs only 3 legs so they would always be balanced. The stone(s) in front and bottom of the fireplace is the top of the boulder that the house is anchored on. There is a desk in Edgar Jr's top floor bedroom with a cutout so the window could be opened; its chair was described by the tour guide as "on a scale of 1 to 10: a 10 for style and a -3 for comfort!" On this bedroom's terrace there is a planter with small windows in it: they look right down into the guest bath's shower. The proportions of this house are superb, but you could not build it now because the terrace walls would have to be 36" high spoiling those proportions. Surprisingly, I remember reading that Wright thought that his masterpiece (house) was not Fallingwater, but Wingspread, the S.C. Johnson home in Wisconsin.
Wright also designed Kaufmann's office at the Pittsburgh main store, but that is now in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Excellent video.

[christopherkraft]

I agree that this is Frank Lloyd Wright's greatest work!!! Thanks for showcasing this unique home!!! 👍👍🙂

[DavidSmith-xsor]

I've always loved Wright's work. Architecture isn't just building and engineering; it's a true artform. This work is one of my favorite pieces of art. I always wanted to be an architect. As a child, I would try to freehand copy Wright's drawings.

[madcrowmaxwell]

This house has fascinated me since I was a small child. I hope to visit someday.

[rosezingleman]

I was fortunate enough to be Edgar Kaufmann Jr.’s assistant when he spent a semester at Cornell’s School of Architecture in the 1980s. He handed me a bag full of slides (and not the big lantern slides either). I spent the term organizing them for his lectures, and had many conversations with him about Fallingwater. I had worked on the restoration of the Jacobs I house in Madison WI, so he knew I was familiar with the nitty gritty of Wright’s building process. Of course Fallingwater was radically different as were most of Wright’s large projects. He did tell me a lot about what it was like to spend vacations in the house. The dampness caused door and window frames to swell making them difficult to open and close properly. But he was a staunch defender of Wright’s genius—how could he not be?
As far as the slope of the cantilever goes, it was eventually found to be a failure to attach one of steel “tethers” during the original construction phase, and not any failure on Wright’s part which is very interesting.

[charlesmckinnis]

I've never gotten the chance to visit, but have been fascinated by it as my "ultimate" in nature and home, since I was a little boy of 12 years old...to this day, I have never seen a better marriage of nature, stone, water and foliage in a home...and I am 70 years old now!

[fryoung]

I got to visit Fallingwater in my 30s, being a 'fan' of FLW since my teen years. It was very emotional (I had tears), to see something you have regarded as the height artistic genius, incredible.

[ericinman]

I can't describe the sense of excitement the first time Falling Water burst into my awareness. It gives me a curiosity as well as warm fuzziness as Vermeer and van Gogh.

[jimwhitman]

Edger Jr was a student of FLLW and introduced Frank to his Father.
Another home in the area by FLLW is Kentuck Knob which is open to the public also. Both are well worth the trip. Everytime I visit I get goosebumps… Another great Video… there a highlight of my week. 👍

[brianboychuk]

Several years ago, I had the distinct pleasure of visiting Fallingwater. It is every bit as amazing as your video portrays. This could never be built today. The vision of Mr. Wright was - and remains to be - unprecedented. To walk through those hallowed hallways is to be transported back in time. This is the next best thing to an actual castle, with its blend of several of nature's original building blocks - stone and water. I hope to revisit Fallingwater one more time before I die. It is inspiring.

[brooklynrocks]

My absolute favorite house. His work was magnificent.

[caseroj]

This house indeed famous. Back in the early 1980's when I was taking drafting courses in junior high the design of this house was in my public school issued text book. I was amazed by it and thought it to be an ingenious work of art. Later as I learned more about Frank Lloyd Wright I became less enchanted with him personally but my enchantment with this house never wavered. Even to this day I dream about owning home like this. I value the tranquility and peaceful serenity that this secluded home would offer. Obviously I could never afford something like it but one can dream anyway.