Last weekend, I took the wife and kids to one of the wife's punchlist items to visit before we leave PA... the Fallingwater house in southwest PA was designed and built in the 1930s by Frank Lloyd Wright. I had never heard of this guy but apparently he's pretty popular with the mid-mod enthusiasts, and the house is a huge tourist attraction in the area. Fallingwater is a concrete and stone house built on Bear Run which is a tributary to the Youghiogheny River, and is essentially integrated into the rocky hill that overlooks the stream.

Wright built it in the 1930's for the Kaufmann family, a prominent family in Pittsburgh who ran Kaufmann's Department Store. It was estimated to cost $35k to build, but at completion in 1937, the bill was over $148k, with another $11k + in architect fees. The main house is 9,300 sq ft, and the guest house is over 4,900 sq ft, both including many terraces. The house was famous before it was even completed, and Frank Lloyd Wright appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1937 standing in front of his drawing of the house.

This type of house isn't my cup of tea, but it really was smartly designed and integrated into the surrounding environment. Wright was surprisingly able to make the house feel warm and cozy, which is a tall order with a stone and concrete house. Unfortunately, due to the construction materials, the house is incredibly susceptible to water intrusion and damage and its conservation society is almost in a continuous state of repair and preservation. Still, not bad for a 90 year-old house. It was a good tour and worth the trip.

There are around 11 of his houses available to tour around the U.S.

Approaching the hidden front door.


Terraces overhanging Bear Run waterfalls.


The living room. The hearth is actually a boulder extending from the hill into the living room. Mr. Kaufmann used to sunbathe on the boulder. Note the iron pot that can swing over to the fire for warming its contents. Additionally, part of the deal was that Wright would also furnish the house. I believe he designed some of the pieces.






Stairs to the 2nd floor. Note the protruding stones that create the "banister." We weren't allowed to snap pics above the 1st floor due to congested quarters and valuable art and furniture that folks have damaged over the years while taking pics.




Downstream view.

Very impressive! The time, detail and labor that went into that house is evident. Thanks for sharing!

Need to go visit the geodesic dome at the ASM International headquarters in Novelty, OH. I used to work there. Pretty neat place….

https://www.asminternational.org/about-asm/materials-park/

Tulsa has several FLR designs in town. It's very distinctive.

Looks awesome, but link no workie...


Uncle Google says 511 of his designs were actually built, with only 432 remaining standing today. Didn't know about Tulsa, though. We pass through there quite a bit. I might share with the wife...

Bartlesville also has a FLW designed hotel.

Very cool! I've read that he was very dictatorial with all of his clients regarding how they could furnish the house. But, you're bound to get some serious quirks with genius like that.

Try this or google geodesic dome Novelty OH

https://www.asminternational.org/about-asm/materials-park/

Ahead of his time and still on it.

I'd live in it.

Excellent post. Have always wanted to see that place.

Gotcha. Found it... VERY cool.

Frank Lloyd Wright also designed the Kalita Humphries Theater located in the Turtle Creek area of Dallas, opened in 1959. Here's a Wikipedia link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalita_Humphreys_Theater

Cool place, even today.

That is impressive.

Love the stonework

Breathtaking, perfect house in a perfect location.

Probably the most famous architect of the 20th Century.

Price tower in Bartlesville is the only "Skyscraper" write designed. it's a cool place but the elevators are VERY small. 2 people it's comfortable, 3 is a crowd.

Awesome house - thanks for sharing! I'd live in it, but at my age, all the stairs, inside & out, would be a tough go. lol

" It was estimated to cost $35k to build, but at completion in 1937, the bill was over $148k, with another $11k + in architect fees. "

Wonder what that translates into today's dollars?

Isn't there a FLR designed hotel in Bartlesville?

up two posts.

given location/notoriety, size I would guess it is over 100 million now.

one of the coolest houses ever built, dude was genius at using the lay of the land and incorporating stuff into his bldgs.

The dome was designed by renowned futurist R. Buckminster Fuller. Interesting fellow also.