LA CASA IMPOSSIBILE - La casa sulla cascata - Fallingwater #design

Summary

Fallingwater, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright between 1936 and 1939, is a stunning architectural masterpiece located in Pennsylvania. Built over a waterfall, it features concrete, sandstone, glass, and steel elements that blend with the surrounding natural landscape. Despite early structural challenges, including shifts and cracks, it was later restored to prevent collapse. Originally a vacation home for the Kaufman family, it was later donated and now serves as a museum. With fascinating architectural and historical details, it attracts global visitors. The house's estimated value, if it were for sale, would be around $2.5 million.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Fallingwater House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was built between 1936 and 1939 and is located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, near the West Virginia border.
• 😀 The house is built using local stone, concrete, glass, and steel, with terraces that are cantilevered and supported by exposed concrete.
• 😀 The interior of the house was designed to blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, incorporating stone walls and floors similar to those on the exterior.
• 😀 A unique feature of the living room is a rock outcrop that becomes part of the fireplace, merging natural elements with the built structure.
• 😀 A glass door in the living area leads to a staircase that descends to the stream below the house, integrating the building with nature.
• 😀 Structural issues arose early on in the design, with doubts raised about its stability. Wright rejected the idea of additional steel reinforcements.
• 😀 Over the years, the cantilevered sections of the house sank by 18 cm, causing cracks and misaligned doors, leading to significant structural concerns.
• 😀 In 1996, extensive renovations by Robert Silman Associates helped prevent collapse, ensuring the house’s stability for the future.
• 😀 The Kaufman family, a wealthy Pittsburgh-based business family, commissioned the house as a vacation home, living in it until the 1950s.
• 😀 In 1963, the Kaufman family donated the house to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and it is now a museum visited by tourists worldwide.
• 😀 The Kaufman family also had another remarkable property, the Desert House, built by Richard Neutra in 1946 in Palm Springs.
• 😀 Frank Lloyd Wright initially began working on the house only after being contacted by Edgar Kaufman in 1935. The first designs were completed just seven months later.
• 😀 If the Fallingwater House were for sale today, its estimated value would be around $2.5 million.

Q & A

When was Fallingwater constructed and where is it located?

Fallingwater was constructed between 1936 and 1939 and is located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on the Bear Run waterfall, at the border with West Virginia.

What materials were used in the construction of Fallingwater?

The house was built using local sandstone, concrete, glass, and steel. The terraces are made from exposed concrete matching the color of the local stone.

How does the design of Fallingwater integrate with the natural landscape?

The house was designed to blend into its natural surroundings, with terraces and walls made of stone, and large glass windows that provide a seamless connection between the interior and the exterior environment.

What structural challenges did Fallingwater face during and after its construction?

Fallingwater faced significant structural problems, including sagging cantilevers, cracks, and misaligned doors. The house's design left it vulnerable to these issues over time.

How were the structural issues at Fallingwater addressed?

In the 1990s, the structural problems were resolved through extensive renovation work by Robert Silman Associates, which included the addition of reinforcements to ensure the building's stability.

Who commissioned the building of Fallingwater and what was its original purpose?

Fallingwater was commissioned by Edgar Kaufmann, a Pittsburgh merchant, as a vacation home for his family.

What happened to the Kaufmann family’s ownership of Fallingwater?

The Kaufmann family lived in the house until the 1950s. In 1963, they donated the house to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, which still owns it today.

Is Fallingwater currently open to the public, and if so, how can it be visited?

Yes, Fallingwater is a museum open to the public. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy offers various tours, including exclusive private tours and dining experiences within the house.

What other notable properties did the Kaufmann family commission?

In addition to Fallingwater, the Kaufmann family commissioned architect Richard Neutra to build the Desert House in Palm Springs in 1946.

What is the estimated current market value of Fallingwater if it were for sale?

While Fallingwater is not for sale, its current market value is estimated to be around $2.5 million.