Fallingwater: American Architecture
Photographs of Fallingwater, originally designed and built as a private home are, without question, breathtaking. Even so, photos do this work of art no justice. The only way one can truly appreciate Fallingwater is to see it for yourself. It is no exaggeration to say that design, structure and a genius artistic sense came together to create an architectural masterpiece.
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater is one of the most intriguing, inspired works of art in American architecture. Located in western Pennsylvania, building began in 1936 and the home was completed in 1939. In addition to Wright’s distinct design features, any mention of Fallingwater would be incomplete without mentioning the notable geographical elements, none more well-known than the waterfall over which the home was built.
At first glance, Fallingwater seems to be a modern work, and it is, in that it is considered to be in the style of American Modern architecture. However, one who is not familiar specifically with American architectural style might easily lay eyes on Fallingwater for the first time only to be surprised to learn that it was designed and built in the mid-1930s. The fact that it is just as plausible to believe Fallingwater was built closer to ten years ago as 80 years ago speaks to the timelessness of Wright’s work.
Stone is a predictable, likely choice for a building material which would add both beauty and strength to a structure, especially one on a scale such as that of Fallingwater. Concrete might be a less likely choice, and probably would not be considered by many as a building material used for aesthetic purposes. However, Frank Lloyd Wright used concrete not only to reinforce the cantilevers he used so prominently in his design of Fallingwater but to add beauty to the home as well. Concrete became part of the aesthetic of the building as much as the sandstone he used so beautifully in his design.
To ensure the stability of the structure, Wright
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater is one of the most intriguing, inspired works of art in American architecture. Located in western Pennsylvania, building began in 1936 and the home was completed in 1939. In addition to Wright’s distinct design features, any mention of Fallingwater would be incomplete without mentioning the notable geographical elements, none more well-known than the waterfall over which the home was built.
At first glance, Fallingwater seems to be a modern work, and it is, in that it is considered to be in the style of American Modern architecture. However, one who is not familiar specifically with American architectural style might easily lay eyes on Fallingwater for the first time only to be surprised to learn that it was designed and built in the mid-1930s. The fact that it is just as plausible to believe Fallingwater was built closer to ten years ago as 80 years ago speaks to the timelessness of Wright’s work.
Stone is a predictable, likely choice for a building material which would add both beauty and strength to a structure, especially one on a scale such as that of Fallingwater. Concrete might be a less likely choice, and probably would not be considered by many as a building material used for aesthetic purposes. However, Frank Lloyd Wright used concrete not only to reinforce the cantilevers he used so prominently in his design of Fallingwater but to add beauty to the home as well. Concrete became part of the aesthetic of the building as much as the sandstone he used so beautifully in his design.
To ensure the stability of the structure, Wright