Folks, I love Falling Water as a piece of architectural sculpture. I worked for one of Mr. Wright's main apprentices, so I know what I am talking about. Mr. Wright's career was at a low point when the Kaufmanns' contacted him to design their home. Wright, looking around for a way to resurrect his fading star, noticed that the International Style, which was really big on white horizontal bands (Neutra, etc.) was going strong. He did incorporate these into Falling Water, which contrasted beautifully with his rugged vertical towers of stone. He probably would never have admitted the probable source of his inspiration in this. Unfortunately, you cannot see through these solid white parapets: they block the view, and even more unfortunately, their weight caused great deflection and damage to the concrete slabs supporting them, which cost a fortune to repair over the decades. And perhaps the worst: the home sits right smack on top of the water, so that from nowhere in the home can you see it, except from the plunge pool way down at the bottom. While it makes for a great photo, the occupants would probably have enjoyed the waterfall more if the home had been sited on the ground at a little distance from the falls, so that you could actually see them each day. It did work to reestablish Mr. Wright as a major force in architecture, which was a good thing. I am not trying to tear Wright down; I love his work.
I say these things with appreciation in my heart for all of Frank's designs; I would never have become an Architect were it not for his heroic creations. However, we need to be honest about these things and not fall into the same trap of designing for aesthetics alone. When someone on flat ground in the desert talks about being inspired by Falling Water; I share the questions of others.
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Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Home Architects
Cashiers NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2013 07:54
From: Rachel Burton
Subject: The New American Home 2013
Yes, that is the house.
Aside from the very problematic idea of all this water in a desert, and how this can really be a green house, I liked the idea that the design was based around courtyards. That seemed like a great idea when your neighbor is only a few feet away. But if the designer says he was inspired by Fallingwater, he doesn't understand Fallingwater.
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Rachel Burton AIA
Architect & Owner
Swallowtail Architecture LLC
Summerville SC
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