FALLINGWATER

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

BY

Nur Bahirah Binti Abdul Rahman

Renee Lim Wei Fen

Nur Aiman Binti Mohamad Shakir

Dayang Puteri Syahirah Binti Abang Omar

AIMI RUZANNA Binti Datu Adzman

Spatial Organization

by

Nur Bahirah Binti Abdul Rahman

[0311085]

Fallingwater is the name of a very outstanding house that extends over a waterfall in Bear

Run, Pennsylvania. Frank Lloyd Wright, America’s renowned architect, designed the house for

the Kaufmann family. It was built between 1936 and 1939. The house became famous because of

the genius structure that made it looked as if it doesn’t even appear to stand on a solid ground.

The house was built in a clustered organization manner. The spaces of the house are

clustered along a circulation path. The series of spaces are in rectangular shape, which varied in

different sizes and orientations.

The spaces on the main floor are grouped as the place for family and guests gathering

which consisted of only main room, dining area, kitchen, and staff room. Whereby the second

floor is composed of bedrooms for the family and the guest, while the third floor is classified as a

studying and relaxing place.

As a conclusion, Fallingwater was built in a clustered manner with a composition of

spaces, which are dissimilar in size, form and function but related to one another by an axial

condition. The main axis is the fireplace, and the axis unified the portions of a clustered

organization of Fallingwater.

Reference:

The Ringling. (n.d.). The Architecture of Fallingwater. Retrieved April 9, 2014, from

http://www.fallingwater.org/assets/Fallingwater_Architecture.pdf

Structure, Materials & Construction

by

Renee Lim Wei Fen

[0311016]

Fallingwater, one of the very famous masterpiece of Frank Lloyd Wright’s. Fallingwater is

famous for its structural values over the natural rock ledges in Bear Run. The building is a home

designed specially for the Kaufmann residence.

The most noticeable basic and dramatic structure is the cantilever that is covered by

concrete reinforced by interwoven rods. The terraces are made out of beams and joists within

them with concrete structures that looks like the egg-crate. Later, external post tensioning cables

were installed to increase compressive strength to the building. At the centre is a vertical wall

structure that acts as a central core that stabilizes the cantilevered trays and most of the other

parts the building. At the very bottom are piers and buttresses to help hold the load of the entire

building.

One of the materials used in Fallingwater are used to reflect the rustic characters of the

site. Whereby, stones were laid in a shifting manner to show natural stone layering. On the other

hand, concrete was used to soften the rough edges of the stones. Concrete is also capable of

molding into shapes easily because of its fluidity. Another important material is steel that’s acts

as a strength to the concrete. Steel covered the house as railings and window frameworks.

Certain part of the walls are not only covered by concrete but also clear glass to give the

occupants a wide view and a good feel of nature.

As a conclusion, Fallingwater was designed to incorporate with nature. The construction

of the vertical core and the structure of the cantilever made an amazing illusion for the building.

The materials used expressed naturality in its work that blends with the surroundings, most

importantly the waterfall.

Reference:

Turner, A.R. (2000). Engineering and Illusion. Retrieved from

http://www.well.com/user/arturner/fallingwater.html

Components

by

Nur aiman Binti Mohamad Shakir

[0311759]

Fallingwater is one of the most extraordinary house that was designed by famous

architect, Frank Lloyd Wright for Kaufmann’s family in 1936. It was built above a waterfall in

Mill Run, Pennsylvania. One of his most famous dictum is “Study nature, love nature, stay close

to nature. It will never fail you”. There are three main components of architecture that could be

found at the house which are fireplace, boulder floor and cantilevers.

Fireplace is the focus design of the house. It provides warmth thus considered to be the

hearth of the home for family gathering.

Cantilever is a balcony that looks like its floating in the air. It also functions as a flat

rooftop for the lower level. It was designed for the family so they could enjoy the nature and the

beautiful sceneries from the higher perspective view.

Boulder is the raised stone formation on the floor in the foreground that can be seen in the

living room. Moreover, it shows that Wright use this stone to make the floor to show

appreciation towards nature, instead of destroying the nature.

In conclusion, these components were used at the house in physical building which

embodied the architect’s philosophy while fulfilling the client’s need.

Reference:

Perez, A. (2010, May 14). AD Classics: Fallingwater House / Frank Lloyd Wright.

Retrieved April 9, 2014, from http://www.archdaily.com/60022/ad-classics-fallingwater-frank-

lloyd-wright/

Lilburnes. (n.d.). Fallingwater Architectural Components. Retrieved April 9, 2014, from

http://www.lilburnes.org/Students/Media2/FallingWater/Falling_arc_comp.html

Massing / Form

by

Dayang Puteri Syahirah Binti Abang Omar

[0310500]

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater has many unique qualities that set it apart as one of

the most famous residences until today. It is very well known for Wright’s genius design to

incorporate nature not just in the surroundings of the residence, but within it as well. This would

justify his statement of wanting the Kaufmann’s to ‘live’ with the waterfalls and not just look at

it every now and then. He wanted it to be a part of their daily lives.

One of the important aspects of Fallingwater would include its massing. The major forms

that make up the building would be the rectangular prisms which are stacked on top of one

another at 90 degree angles. Though it comprises of such simple geometry, it was designed in

such a way that the cantilevers or the rectangular balconies that jut outwards would hold the

whole residence over the waterfall.

The residence’s distinctive features would include the horizontal and vertical lines. The

perpendicular, parallel and intersecting lines actually make visible polygons in the form of space

for living. On the main level of the residence, it can be seen that the perimeter of the central

space is lit by square ceiling panels whilst the four corners are supported by rectangular

patterned stone piers. This goes to show that Wright did play around with a lot of basic

geometric forms and materials in which he complicated it to the point that they no longer look

foreign with the natural environment of Bear Run.

The bold rectangular geometry of the horizontal parapets and vertical stone massing over

the beautiful waterfall enclosed in a green environment is what makes Fallingwater one of

Wright’s greatest works in accordance to society and architectural experts. The combination of

geometric and organic forms while leaving the nature untouched would also be one of the best

features about Wright’s Fallingwater.

Reference:

The Chicago Architecture Foundation. (2007). The Architecture Handbook: A Student

Guide to Understanding Buildings. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from

http://www.architecture.org/document.doc?id=57

Lilburnes. (n.d.). Fallingwater : Geometry. Retrieved April 10, 2014, from

http://www.lilburnes.org/Students/Media2/FallingWater/Falling_Geometry.html

External Façade

by

Aimi Ruzanna Binti Datu Adzman

[0306177]

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater’s façade was beautifully built and it reflects the

characteristics of the inhabitants who love nature. The Fallingwater architecture itself was

influenced by the Japanese architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright wanted to create a harmony

between man and nature thus he used natural materials to integrate the house with the waterfall.

The extensions towards the natural surrounding was done with a long cantilevered terrace is one

of the beauty of the space. Moreover the terraces add a characteristic of sculpture to the houses

apart from their function when looking at a different series of right angles.

The external façade of the Fallingwater also shows several points of the Prairie Style. The

Prairie Style is said to be the first original American architectural style created by Frank Lloyd

Wright himself. Looking at the external façade of the house, it shows a strong horizontal pattern

which is one of the Prairie Style aspects with the horizontal line of bricks and terraces. Other

than that, Fallingwater also has clerestory windows. Clerestory windows consist of a line of

narrow windows along the very top of the house. Plus, the Fallingwater is integrated with the

landscape and the natural surroundings. It also has a flat roof, a wide overhanging eaves and a

stands out & central chimney.

Other than the usage of bricks and stone for the exterior structure that has a natural

colour, Frank Lloyd Wright used the color cream for the remaining façade which is contrast from

the surrounding environment depending on the season. He also intentionally built the chimney to

be the highest point on the exterior of the house by extending the chimney upward and stands out

from others. One can surely listen to the sound of waterfall even when they are inside the house.

There is also a stairs that leads one directly to the waterfall on the south side of the house so they

can enjoy it anytime. There are a number of pergolas as a canopy located on the road to the

entrance that is known as the "Forest of the House" on the north side of the house. In a nutshell,

the Fallingwater is a success of combining the architecture, man and nature.

Reference:

Antiquehomestyle.com. 2014. What is Prairie style?- Prairie School Houses - Chicago

School Architecture - Frank Lloyd Wright. [online] Available at:

http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/styles/prairie-school.htm [Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].

Craven, J. 2014. The Prairie House Style. [online] Available at:

http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/The-Robie-House.htm [Accessed:

14 Apr 2014].

Craven, J. 2014. Clerestory - Definition. [online] Available at:

http://architecture.about.com/od/structural/g/clerestory.htm [Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].

Passmore, K. 2014. Fallingwater—Frank Lloyd Wright’s powerful union of architecture

and nature | EDSITEment. [online] Available at: http://edsitement.neh.gov/fallingwater-frank-

lloyd-wrights-powerful-union-architecture-and-nature [Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].

Perez, A. 2010. AD Classics: Fallingwater House / Frank Lloyd Wright. [online]

Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/60022/ad-classics-fallingwater-frank-lloyd-wright/

[Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].

Westcotthouse.org. 2014. Frank Lloyd Wright - The Prairie Style: From Theory to

Practice. [online] Available at: http://www.westcotthouse.org/prairie_style.html [Accessed: 14

Apr 2014]

REFERENCES

Lilburnes. (n.d.). Fallingwater Architectural Components. Retrieved April 9, 2014, from

http://www.lilburnes.org/Students/Media2/FallingWater/Falling_arc_comp.html

The Ringling. (n.d.). The Architecture of Fallingwater. Retrieved April 9, 2014, from

http://www.fallingwater.org/assets/Fallingwater_Architecture.pdf

Turner, A.R. (2000). Engineering and Illusion. Retrieved from

http://www.well.com/user/arturner/fallingwater.html

Perez, A. (2010, May 14). AD Classics: Fallingwater House / Frank Lloyd Wright.

Retrieved April 9, 2014, from http://www.archdaily.com/60022/ad-classics-fallingwater-frank-

lloyd-wright/

The Chicago Architecture Foundation. (2007). The Architecture Handbook: A Student

Guide to Understanding Buildings. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from

http://www.architecture.org/document.doc?id=57

Lilburnes. (n.d.). Fallingwater : Geometry. Retrieved April 10, 2014, from

http://www.lilburnes.org/Students/Media2/FallingWater/Falling_Geometry.html

Antiquehomestyle.com. 2014. What is Prairie style?- Prairie School Houses - Chicago

School Architecture - Frank Lloyd Wright. [online] Available at:

http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/styles/prairie-school.htm [Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].

Craven, J. 2014. The Prairie House Style. [online] Available at:

http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/The-Robie-House.htm [Accessed:

14 Apr 2014].

Craven, J. 2014. Clerestory - Definition. [online] Available at:

http://architecture.about.com/od/structural/g/clerestory.htm [Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].

Passmore, K. 2014. Fallingwater—Frank Lloyd Wright’s powerful union of architecture

and nature | EDSITEment. [online] Available at: http://edsitement.neh.gov/fallingwater-frank-

lloyd-wrights-powerful-union-architecture-and-nature [Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].

Perez, A. 2010. AD Classics: Fallingwater House / Frank Lloyd Wright. [online]

Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/60022/ad-classics-fallingwater-frank-lloyd-wright/

[Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].

Westcotthouse.org. 2014. Frank Lloyd Wright - The Prairie Style: From Theory to

Practice. [online] Available at: http://www.westcotthouse.org/prairie_style.html [Accessed: 14

Apr 2014]