Fallingwater

Lore & Background

Edgar Kaufmann Sr. Several structural issues arose during the house's construction, including cracked concrete and sagging terraces. Edgar Kaufmann Jr., the Kaufmanns' son, continued to use the house after his parents' deaths. The house was renovated in the late 1990s and early 2000s to remedy severe structural defects, including sagging terraces and poor drainage. The house includes multiple outdoor terraces, which are cantilevered, extending outward from a chimney without support at the opposite end. Fallingwater is made of locally–quarried stone, reinforced concrete, steel, and plate glass. The first story contains the main entrance, the living room, two outdoor terraces, and the kitchen. There are four bedrooms (including a study) and additional terraces on the upper stories. Wright designed most of the house's built-in furniture. Many pieces of art are placed throughout the house, in addition to objects including textiles and Tiffany glass. Above the main house is a guest wing with a carport and servants' quarters.

Reader's Guide

Fallingwater has received extensive architectural commentary over the years and it was one of the world's most discussed modern–style structures by the 1960s. The house has been the subject of books, magazine articles, films, and other media works over the years. Fallingwater is designated as a National Historic Landmark, and it is one of eight buildings in 'The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright', a World Heritage Site. Its significance lies in its integration with the natural landscape, its innovative cantilevered terraces, and its role as a landmark of modern architecture. The house's structural issues and subsequent renovations highlight the challenges of Wright's daring design. Fallingwater remains a key example of Wright's organic architecture philosophy and continues to influence architectural thought and practice.

Did You Know?

• Fallingwater is built partly over a waterfall on the Bear Run stream.
• The house includes multiple cantilevered outdoor terraces that extend outward from a chimney without support at the opposite end.
• The house was renovated in the late 1990s and early 2000s to remedy severe structural defects including sagging terraces and poor drainage.