Fallingwater – Special Home Built Over a Waterfall
Fallingwater is the name of a house that was very unique and unusual that is built above the waterfall. Frank Lloyd Wright, America’s famous architect, designed this homes for his clients, Kaufmann family. Fallingwater was built between 1936 and 1939. This immediately became famous, and today it is a National Historic Landmark.
Why does it become so famous? Think about this idea! A home that doesn’t even appear to stand on solid ground, but instead stretches out over a 30’ waterfall. It became everyone’s imagination only before it was on the cover of Time magazine in 1938.
History
The Kaufmanns, who had recently become very interested in modern art and design, also were intrigued by Wright’s ideas, and they asked him to design a new vacation house. They knew that Wright loved nature, as they did, and Wright knew that the Kaufmanns wanted something very special at Bear Run, something only an innovative architect like himself could design. He also knew that they loved the waterfall, and he decided to make it part of the new house.
When the Kaufmanns first looked at Wright’s drawings, they were very surprised! They thought their new house would have a wonderful view of the falls. But instead, with the house right on top of the falls, it was very difficult to even see them. But not to hear them! Frank Lloyd Wright told them that he wanted them to live with the waterfalls, to make them part of their everyday life, and not just to look at them now and then.
