ADVENTURES & TRAVELS: FALLINGWATER & KENTUCK KNOB

I just had the most ammmmazing trip to Pennsylvania to see Frank Lloyd Wright's famous design Fallingwater and another one of his incredible designs, Kentuck Knob. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take pictures of the interior of either of the homes, I can just only tell you that you will have to really see it for yourself. 

If you are not familiar with Frank Lloyd Wright or Fallingwater, then let me tell you a little about them both. Wright was a renaissance man, designing everything from textiles to furniture as well as his amazing architectural designs, but what makes him so incredible was how ahead of his time he was. Frank Lloyd Wright did not like box-like construction, and you could see that specifically in both Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob.

Fallingwater, which was built in 1936, had an open floor plan, which was unheard of in that time. But even more insane was his method of organic architecture, which is designing with nature in mind. For this reason Fallingwater is built to be one with the waterfall. The house is built on to the formations of rock on the hilltop, which then have multiple 15 foot deep concrete cantilevering terraces. It was said that the home's original owners, The Kaufman family, wanted the home facing the waterfall, but Frank had another plan (he tended to be quite stubborn, a characteristic I find many designers can have). 

One of the coolest features Mr. Wright created in Fallingwater was this staircase. It begins in the open concept great room and is enclosed by large glass doors. When you open the glass, you can step down into the stream if you wish. Beyond the staircase is the waterfall.

 

All of the original sculptures are still intact and are clearly amazing of course.

A prime example of what Wright meant to be "organic architecture."

To the side of the front door was a fresh stream of water where the Kaufman's could wash their hands or feet from the long days of fishing or hunting. Notice the soap on a rope!

Front Door

Seriously, who wouldn't want to live here?

And now, Kentuck Knob, another residence which was commissioned to Frank Lloyd Wright. A brilliant design with almost no right angles, go figure!

Check out those clerestory windows and copper roofing. Not to mention the dental molding. If I had to start describing the interiors, you would all become very confused. So you are just going to have to go see the beauty for yourself! Trust me you won't regret it!

By the time this house was made in the mid 1950's, Frank (who was in his 70's) believed it was finally time for him to part putting his stamp on all his creations.

So intrigued, I'm definitely reading Nancy Horan's book Loving Frank.