Falling Water : Frank Lloyd Wright

Falling Water Residence: Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

Fallingwater is the name of a very special house that is built over a waterfall. Frank Lloyd Wright, America’s most famous architect, designed the house for his clients, the Kaufmann family. Fallingwater was built between 1936 and 1939 and instantly became famous, and today it is a National Historic Landmark. This house became famous as it doesn't appear to stand on solid ground but instead stretches out over a 30’ waterfall. It captured everyone’s imagination when it was on the cover of Time magazine in 1938.

The style of font Frank Lloyd Wright used throughout his whole career was an Eagle feather type that was always in capitals. Over the years it slightly changed but though only very small ways. Where ever Frank Lloyd Wright's name was used you would always see it large and in capitals. This is a very distinct feature which when many people see the typeface recognise it from his designs. Below are two pictures of two of the fonts that have been used throughout his career.


The Fallingwater residence consists of strong vertical and horizontal lines which give its distinctive look that is set amongst the Allegheny Mountains of Pittsburgh. When you view the home from the bottom of the waterfall its looks like the home has grown out of the mountains. The initial sketches of the Fallingwater residence are square and rectangular boxes sitting on each other at different levels which follow the waterfall as it runs down the hill. Natural surroundings and Wrights passion for Japanese Architecture have been a major influence throughout this whole design. This organically designed private residence was intended to be a nature retreat for its owners.

Frank Lloyd Wright was also an interior designer so when it came to furniture for the Fallingwater residence he designed most objects along with what the Kaufmans brought themselves. The furniture consists of alot timber with square and rectangular objects to blend in with the outside surroundings of the home. The tones of the furniture are quite earthy and provide a warmth throughout all the areas of the home.

Fallingwater built with Lego pieces.


The Fallingwater home was donated to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, now a public museum ,approximately 125,000 people visit every year.

www.fallingwater.org/
www.wright-house.com/frank-lloyd-wright/fallingwater.html
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1704183_1704185_1704243,00.html
http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architects/features/2007/10/wright_slideshow_102007#slide=1
www.delmars.com/wright/index.html