Fallingwater
Mill Run Pennsylvania

Falling Water, in bucolic western Pennsylvania, is a living, breathing work of art.

The home was built in the 1930s by Frank Lloyd Wright as a summer home for the Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh. The family added individual touches of paintings, textiles and pottery to the Lloyd designed furniture, all of which exude an air of calmness, simplicity and nature.  If there were a picture to describe great feng shu, the Lloyd/Kaufmann design would be it.

A cantilevered, linear geometry incorporates the granite boulders and free flowing Bear Creek into the adobe design.  The house seems to float above the stream while at the same time sink seamlessly into the rocky mountain precipice it sits in and on.  Five thousand acres of wooded preserve are filled with native mountain laurel and rhododendron, which the caregivers use to fill vases and planters.

Memorable features include unique air conditioning, which is comprised of a series of interweaving windows that open over steps, leading to the creek.  The design allows cool creek air to circulate while providing steps for relaxing or fishing.  Each bedroom has a terrace at least as large as the enclosed space, encouraging of sense of uncertainty as to where inside begins and outside starts.

Visiting Fallingwater requires a bit of planning.  The home was bequeathed to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, which maintains it and offers guided tours every hour during relatively warm weather (Spring through Fall).  Falling water is about 1.5 hours from Pittsburgh, by car, via the Pennsylvania turnpike then a series of rural, scenic roads.

I visited on a cloudy day, which was chilly but rain-free.  I am not sure the experience would have been so pleasant in the rain, as a good deal of walking outdoors is part of the adventure as well as beauty of the setting. Our tour guide was pleasant and informative and we did not feel rushed during our one-hour tour.

Tickets are $20 and online reservations made in advance are recommended. 

The gift shop has some creative and unique memorabilia, in a range of prices.

The Fallingwater website has complete visitor information.

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