Fallingwater: Frank Lloyd Wright's Organic Masterpiece

Kaufmann House, Bear Run, Pennsylvania

Author: Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)

Building Name: Kaufmann House (Fallingwater)

Background: 1935-1937

Location: Bear Run, Pennsylvania, USA

Style: Organic

Architectural Details and Construction

• Basic Construction Materials: Concrete, natural stone, glass, and aluminum
• Construction System: Utilizes industrial materials

Nestled in a lush valley, Fallingwater is dramatically positioned over a stream and waterfall. It seamlessly blends with its surroundings, forming a unified whole with nature. This iconic structure is a prime example of organic architecture.

Wright integrated the existing rocks in situ, using them as the natural foundation for the residence. Stone walls and concrete columns provide structural support. The building's form is defined by large, staggered horizontal planes that accommodate the uneven terrain. The vertical axis, a chimney constructed of rustic crushed stone, rises like a tower, anchoring the various spaces.

The horizontal elements are expressed through cantilevered overhangs, made of reinforced concrete and earth-colored stucco, arranged on stepped rectangular terraces. The house comprises three stepped floors:

• First Floor: Rests directly on the rock, forming the base of the chimney. It features a large front terrace extending above the waterfall.
• Second Floor: A terrace extends from this level, forming a 90-degree angle with the first. The ceiling provides partial protection.
• Third Floor: Also features balconies.

The walls are a combination of reinforced concrete, crushed stone, and natural batter, complemented by aluminum frames and large windows. The stream is integrated as a key element of the building, creating the illusion that the waterfall flows from the house itself. The exterior is meticulously designed to harmonize with the environment.

Interior Design and Philosophy

Pool Area: Wright opposed the segmentation of spaces into small rooms, favoring open and expansive areas.

Conception: The architecture is centered around a core concept. Spaces are generated from the inside out. Communication between internal and external spaces is emphasized, facilitated by the use of glass, which prevents a sense of enclosure.

The first floor is built directly on the natural rock. The interior is organized around a central core: the stone tower or chimney. Wright placed the chimney directly above a large natural stone. The ground floor houses a spacious lounge and kitchen. The second floor contains two large bedrooms and a small guest room. The third floor houses the rooms of the family's son.

The interior walls are made of natural stone, and the floor is covered in shiny, polished stones. The living room showcases the fireplace and stone fragments preserved as they were found in the field. Glass plays a crucial role in avoiding opacity and the feeling of confinement.

Interpretation and Legacy

Wright found inspiration in American farmhouses, naming his cross-shaped buildings"prairie houses" However, Fallingwater does not adhere to a strict regulatory framework. It is considered a symbol of organic architecture due to its adaptation to the site, the use of natural materials, and its expansive, open design. It is an architecture integrated into the environment, engaging with water, trees, and rocks. Wright also had a practical sense, viewing the second home as a place for familial connection.

Also known as the "House of the Waterfall" (Fallingwater), it is considered the most important house of the 20th century. It was built in a narrow valley, over a small waterfall, and surrounded by mountains in southern Pennsylvania. It faced opposition from European rationalists like Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe, although some of Wright's principles were applied by them. Wright was an individualistic architect, deeply involved in every aspect of his work. Fallingwater embodies all aspects of its construction program. The volumes that make up the Kaufmann House are not the result of expanding a central space but arise from a core. They are not influenced by rationalism, as some have suggested.

Function: Commissioned in 1935 by Edgar Kaufmann, the director of a Pittsburgh department store (Kaufmann's Department Store).