The National Historic Landmark Falling Water By Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright and His Legacy

If you know anything about architecture you must know about the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He was born in 1867 and died in 1959. His main philosophy was bringing nature into architecture. His fame was brought to him because of his revolutionary style. His buildings are generally flat with large windows. He had a very contemporary style. He was a free-spirited individual that went with his dreams. So now that you are introduced or reminded of Frank Lloyd Wright lets talk about the actual post, Falling Water!

The construction for Falling Water or also called the Kaufmann Residence began in 1936 and was finished in 1939. It is located in southwestern Pennsylvania which is 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The crew was not experienced with reinforced concrete causing a challenge. The building itself is truly astonishing, revolutionary and iconic for its bold horizontal and vertical lines. You have to remember this style was completely different for this time. Construction was actually built on top of a running waterfall, by doing this Wright literally embodied the nature into his design. The building was announced a The National Historic Landmark in 1966 so no one can actually purchase it. Currently it is being used as a museum for tourists all around the world. The simple yet complex design really just make it fit right into its surroundings as if the earth built it! When I first saw this house on the tv a few years back I never imagined that it was built so long ago! Astonishing architecture like this is what drives architects into what they do.

Since the house was built so long ago the keep up of it is not minimal at all. Because of its location above the waterfall, mold is a main concern. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy implemented an intensive program to maintain this piece of history. Although the multiple cantilever structures are very nice and supported, over time they degraded. They actually dropped 7 inches in some areas! Since there was concern for the safety and stability structural engineers tested the strength of the cantilever structures. When tested they were actually close to the point of failure! So in 1997 temporary girders were implemented to hold the weight. In 2002 they replaced the ugly girders with permanent structures that would hold the weight without revealing any differences to the house. Since then the building remains structurally intact. Luckily the building remains the same as it was so long ago, still with the furniture also designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Fun Facts

• • Frank Lloyd Wright left his family and wife for his neighbor and went on a trip to Europe with her when he was still married to his wife!
  • He was born in Wisconsin.
  • His mother Anna said that she knew he would be an architect even before he was born. As a child she would place images around his bed of famous architecture.
  • He went to college at 15.
  • His house had a tree in the middle of it.
  • His work was inspired by Japanese architecture.

Photos

Sources 

"Fallingwater." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 July 2012. Web. 14 July 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallingwater>.

"What Are Ten Interesting Facts about Frank Lloyd Wright?" WikiAnswers. Answers, n.d. Web. 14 July 2012. <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_ten_interesting_facts_about_frank_Lloyd_wright>.

"Click Here To Play: Frank Lloyd Wright - Architect Extraordinaire." Frank Lloyd Wright. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 July 2012. <http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/Frank-Lloyd-Wright---Architect-Extraordinaire-328591.html>.

"Inspiratonal Home & Interior Design Ideas." Creative Recreations of Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 July 2012. <http://www.home-designing.com/2011/08/creative-recreations-of-frank-lloyd-wrights-falling-water>.

"What Is Fallingwater?" Fallingwater. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 July 2012. <http://www.fallingwater.org/37/>.