JUST IN CASE: Fallingwater

• Architect 


  Frank Lloyd Wright
• When built

  1939
• Purpose now vs then

  Now a museum, but was a vacation home built for the Kaufmann family (owners of largest department store in Pittsburgh)
• Location + link to FLW

  Point: Uniquely positioned very near a 30ft waterfall in Laurel Highlands (mountainous area) in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

  Effect: Emphasising Wright’s passion for organicism, which stems from his transcendentalist background (the belief that human life is a part of nature).
• Give a composition point about its exterior asymmetrical structure

  Point: The 5,300 square foot triple layered building contains an asymmetrical structure.

  
  

  Reasoning: Due to multiple uneven cantilevered balconies.

  
  

  Effect: Create a sense of dynamism due to the repeated strong horizontal emphasis - as building is able to extend beyond its original frame and over the waterfall - echoing the natural rocks below.

  
• Give a composition point about exterior terraces, windows & staircase

  Point: The multitude of cantilevered exterior terraces, using ‘invisible’ corner windows, and inclusion of staircases leading to the waterfall.

  
  

  Reasoning: Help to generate undisturbed view of nature & intensify connection man has with nature as well.

  
  

  Effect: Reveals Wright’s intension to challenge and reject Western traditional architecture within 1930s, and instead takes inspiration from Japanese architecture - by unifying interior and exterior spaces, and as a result - architecture and landscape too.

  
• Give MTP point about interior materials

  Point: Interior of building also reveals Wright’s passion with organicism.

  
  

  Reasoning: Since the house is comprised of multiple materials such as glass, wood and Pottsville sandstone from a local quarry.
• Give MTP point about rough walls

  Point: The walls were purposefully laid in a rough structure and pattern.

  
  

  Effect: The materials are protruding outward.

  
• Give MTP point about interior bathroom floors

  Point: Floors within bathrooms are made from waxed cork tiles.

  
  

  Reasoning: Due to its natural and soft colour.

  
  

  Effect: Emulating the shine of the water’s surface.
• Give a colour point about the palette.

  Point: Purposefully chose a selective palette of colours.

  
  

  Reasoning: Including light ochre and Cherokee red.

  
  

  Effect: Aimed for the building to blend in with nature.

  
• Give negative conclusion

  Even though passionate for organicism, included non-environmentally friendly materials like concrete (within walls and to support cantilevered balconies) but location creates problem with its harmony with nature.

  Building undertaken plethora of renovations due to deterioration of materials used.

  • Paint peeling
  • Cracked concrete beams
  • Gaps within stone masonry - worsen due to freezing/thawing
  • Cold and wet conditions cause damp/mildew
• Give CT - negative

  FLW went against his claim in which “organic character ... is for ever” revealing that “Fallingwater” is not as effectively harmonious with nature as originally intended.