Fallingwater: The most stunning house in America

[TotallyOz]

A CG movie featuring the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, by Cristóbal Vila. Vila has a great portfolio of work at www.etereaestudios.com for your delectation. Well worth some internet browsing time..

[MsGuy]

What folks who admire Fallingwater rarely talk about is the the damn thing would have collapsed of its own weight shortly after construction had the contractor not convinced the owner (over Wright's strident objection) to double the steel support beams of the cantilevered concrete decks. Even with all that extra steel, Fallingwater has had serious structual issues requiring a lot of rehab over the years.

He was wonderful at drawings and elevations but Wright never did really grasp the engineering side of the business.

[Guest zipperzone]

I can recall ,as a child, be enthralled by this house and all it seemed to represent for the future of architecture.

It was my introduction to design which has remained a lifelong passion and for many years was my source of income.

For those interested in this house, there is an excellent 1986 book on the subject (still available), called, interestingly enough "Fallingwater" by Edgar Kaufmann Jr, the son of the original owner. Highly reommended

The photographs are superb.

ISBN 0-89659-662-1

[caeron]

I too used to be fascinated by this house. The idea of the intimacy with the water enthralled me. But after touring it, I became less fascinated. I still love the concept of the house, but it really didn't feel very liveable to me.

[RA1]

Interesting comment, caeron. I,too, was intriqued by the "idea" of this house from the first time I knew of it but I always wondered how anyone could "live" in it. However, I have never seen it in person, so I appreciate your comment.

Best regards.

RA1

[RA1]

MSGuy--

Remember, I am the resident curmudgeon.

Best regards,

RA1

[MsGuy]

Remember, I am the resident curmudgeon.

I concede the field, RA1. I can recognize when I'm out of my class.

[Guest zipperzone]

I concede the field, RA1. I can recognize when I'm out of my class.

Not so fast, fellows! Perhaps we should have a contest to see who is the most curmudgeonest

[Guest CharliePS]

Of course, the Kaufmans didn't really "live" in the house, because it's out in the middle of nowhere. It was used mostly as a weekend retreat from Pittsburgh, when the weather was right. I visited it once, and thought it was great to see, but I wouldn't have wanted to spend longer than a weekend in it.

[lookin]

Just saw a program on the Farnsworth House, also built by a famous architect in a unique setting as a weekend retreat for a wealthy client.

Mies van der Rohe told her that weekenders didn't need a closet, and only grudgingly let her have a custom-built wardrobe. The glass house was perfectly placed in the surrounding woods, but put her on display to frequent trespassers who wanted to see the house.

[ihpguy]

Farnsworth House was near where I used to live. The trials and tribulations of the flood damage over the last few years do rival the problems with Fallingwater. Ditto another Wright masterpiece.

The Ennis House of Los Angeles

[ihpguy]

Or two of my favorites from back home by Wright - The Dana-Thomas House Springfield Illinois and Oak Park's Unity Temple, where I was hired to help with a gay union performed by a Methodist minister about twenty years ago.

[Guest zipperzone]

Among these classics of modern architecture, I think my favorite is - The Glass House, Philip Johnson, Architect.

What a wonderful house for an exhibitionist to live in

[TotallyOz]

I've also always like the Elrod home in Palm Springs. It is on the market for sale if anyone is interested.