Fallingwater House Rachel Whiteside Florida State College

Frank Lloyd Wright was known for his unique architectural style, which he referred to as Organic Architecture. This style incorporates natural building materials and features an integrated design based on elements of the earths landscape. Wright undoubtedly crafted Fallingwater with this in mind. This house is nestled in the wilderness alongside a ravine. Large rocks surround it with natural stone anchoring it in place. Roots from rhododendron bushes protect the banks surrounding it. The house suspends over a waterfall, which flows down beneath the base of the structure. As a result, the sound of water flowing can be heard continuously throughout. The home was designed in such a way that it appears as if it is actually growing out of the landscape.

Although Wright used natural building materials, he also chose to incorporate some modern building materials into the exterior construction of Fallingwater. The walls of the house were built with stone from a nearby rock quarry. He designed large terraces made of concrete and reinforced steel beams extending outward in order to increase living space. Two of the terraces are cantilevered and appear to float without support above the falls below.

Wright continued his organic theme while designing the interior of the house. He left one of the boulders from the site untouched and allowed it to protrude from the floor of the home in order to form the fireplace in the living room. He even built around a tree in order to integrate it into the structural design. Wright used low ceilings inside the house to direct attention outside to the nature outside. The windows were constructed with no panes to avoid obstructing this view and to allow natural lighting inside. The stairs have skylights above that descend to a stream below. This natural lighting illuminates the majority of the interior of the home. In order to allow the inside of the house to blend

with the physical surroundings outside, Wright used brown and red as the principal design colors. He also chose furniture that added to the homes natural atmosphere. Wright himself designed most of this furniture by using a combination of plywood veneered with North Carolina black walnut.

The main entrance to the house is on the north side of the ravine. Upon entering the front door, one walks inside through a small entryway and up a set of stairs to the great room. This is the main living area and the largest room in the house. It is filled with windows overlooking the surrounding wilderness. Facing the living area from the stairwell entrance, one can see the main sitting area directly ahead. To the right one can see a smaller sitting area next to the fireplace and the dining area. Beside the fireplace is the doorway to the kitchen. Just past the sitting area are glass doors leading to a terrace overlooking the waterfall. To the left in the living area, Wright designed a built-in desk with bookshelves and a small sitting area referred to as the music area. This side of the living area also features another of Wrights captivating designs, a hatchway with sliding glass panels opening to a staircase leading directly to the stream below. On either side of this staircase there are glass doors that open to the southeast terrace.

From the great room, one can take the stairs to the next level. This second level houses the master suite and guest quarters. This floor is also filled with windows overlooking the beautiful view of the wilderness. It has two doors, one leading to an east terrace and the other to a west terrace.

The steps leading from the master bedroom level to the next floor are lined with books, almost suggesting what one will find on the third and final floor. The west corner of this level houses the study consisting of a desk area, built-in shelves stacked with books, and a door to the stairwell leading down to the west terrace. A short passageway, with access to the third level terrace, connects the study to a small sleeping alcove on the east side of this level. Again, Wright incorporated numerous windows into his design allowing lighting in while creating a brilliant view of the nature outside.

Fallingwater also has a separate guesthouse connected to the main house by a by a unique, covered walkway cantilevered in folded planes. This section of property was designed with a servants quarters with carports, a chauffers lounge, and a laundry room below. Adjacent to the servants quarters are the main guesthouse and an outdoor swimming pool. Although Fallingwater intrigues me, Im not certain that I would want to live in it year round. I do believe it would be a beautiful vacation retreat as the original design intended. The sounds of the water might be soothing and relaxing to me for a short while, but not on a daily basis.

In my opinion, Fallingwater should definitively be preserved. This property was designed by one of the most famous architects in America. It has become a national landmark in the U.S. and is referred to as one of the most unique homes in the world. I believe in a day and age where going green is becoming more widespread, this house and its design can continue to serve as a future template in an organic architectural world.