Architecture Standing in Nature: Fallingwater

Hello! I'm Shiori.

Are you familiar with "Fallingwater," a famous piece of architecture that architecture students are likely taught about early on?
It is one of the famous works by Frank Lloyd Wright, who is known as one of the three great masters of architecture, and it is highly acclaimed worldwide.

In this article, I will highlight why it is so highly regarded.

Basic Overview
・Name: Fallingwater
・Location: Pennsylvania, USA
・Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
・Completion: 1939

The Appeal of Fallingwater ①

The first appeal is that this building is built right over a waterfall!
Normally, one would design a house that offers a view of a waterfall, but Wright intentionally designed it directly over the waterfall.
By placing it over the waterfall, he created a residence where one can feel the sound of the falls, the presence of the water, and the existence of the rocks and forest more closely, designing a home that allows one to experience nature to the fullest using not just sight, but all five senses.

The Appeal of Fallingwater ②

The second appeal is the large, extending eaves!
These are large, cantilevered beams that emphasize the horizontal lines of the building.
Based on the philosophy of "organic architecture"—the fusion of nature and architecture that Wright cherished—this was intentionally designed to harmonize with the surrounding bedrock.
You can feel the dedication to blending the exterior with nature as well♪

In Conclusion

While buildings are usually inorganic structures placed within nature, designing the architecture itself as an organic entity was a revolutionary idea at the time.

It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019 and is considered one of the greatest residential buildings of the 20th century.

It is said to be open to the public, so if you visit Pennsylvania, please try to include it in your plans♪