ON THE ROAD WITH ARCHITECTURE

Entry walkway into Fallingwater

We have been looking up architectural sites to visit on our travels. Having passed by Fallingwater numerous times, we took time to stop and make it a day. This home is well worth the time and the guides are wonderful.

Photos are not allowed inside the house and only at distance points for exterior shots. The home design shows the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright. The attention to detail is simply amazing.

A fireplace with a round container for heating cider, glass which opens on the living area floor with steps leading down to the water (soak your feet or go fishing), windows which span around corners and a desk designed so the long window next to it can be opened. Wright clearly was able to envision exactly what he wanted. A balcony wall off one bedroom was purposely low so one could lie in bed and the view would not be obstructed. Photos of these and more can be found here.

Fallingwater Rising tells the story of Wright's architectural journey with the house. The owners were the Kaufmann's (Kaufmann's store is now known as Macy's).

The Fellowship tells the story of Wright's apprenticeship program where he trained others. If you like real-life drama you can read about the murders which took place at Wright's Taliesin home in "Death in a Prairie House". The book jumps around a bit with confusion in parts but is hard to put down. We'll be visiting Taliesin in Wisconsin this summer. Note there is a Taliesin East  (Wisconsin) and a Taliesin West (Arizona).

Down the road from Fallingwater is Polymath Park. Duncan house by Wright and two homes by his apprentice, Peter Berndston are there. These were homes designed to be affordable to the middle class. They are available for rental for overnight stays. Another Wright house is being moved there and they are in the stages of planning for a winery on site.

Entrance to restaurant and ticket check at Polymath Park

A stained glass work from the gift shop has a new place in our home.