The family owned land in the Laurel Highlands
that included a stream called Bear Run, about 70
miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Edgar Kaufmann Jr.,
studied architecture under Frank Lloyd Wright,
and the family eventually hired Wright to design a
weekend retreat at that location.
The design process began in March 1935 and the
result was an architectural marvel recognized by
Time Magazine as one of Wright’s “most beautiful
jobs.” In 1966, “Fallingwater” received a designation
as a National Historic Landmark. Now the province
of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the
palatial home ultimately is situated so that it
virtually straddles a waterfall. And typical of Frank
Lloyd Wright, it blends with the environment.
The home’s visitor’s center, gift shop and parking
lot are able to accommodate a plethora of visitors
each year. The conservancy sponsors well-organized
guided tours. As visitors arrive they are assigned to
small groups each with a knowledgeable tour guide.
During our visit, our guide, Nora, led us down a
pathway to the bridge that spans Bear Run. We
paused for her to tell us that the house is, “site
specific incorporating natural elements.” A view of
the house quickly verified Nora’s statement. The
stone work matches the north bank of Bear Run
with its multiple layers of sedimentary rock. Our
guide told us that the stone material came from a
short distance downstream.
Wright had a vision that the architecture should
reflect the natural environment and every facet
of Fallingwater illustrates that principle. He also
detested “clutter” and in keeping with the axiom
that the more empty space you have, the less
likely it will be empty, he insisted on a car port,
for example, against the wishes of Kaufmann who
wanted a garage. Wright protested that a garage
would invite clutter.
We stepped into the living room and Nora
explained that Wright had designed all of the
furniture except for some of the chairs. As the
14
EASTERN HOME & TRAVEL