Fallingwater Precedent Study

Major Project Submission | AENG200 2020 | University of Wollongong

[@mikehenson819]

Wright was so incredibly futuristic that practically all his designs were 50 years ahead of the current technology. Which is why so many of his buildings suffered leaks and failing structural elements. Just imagine what a superb structure Falling would be if constructed in the 1980s.

[@johnkeviljr9625]

We might ask who was FLW’s structural engineer and give that man the kudo’s he deserves.

[@pcatful]

Wright studied engineering and I believe he engineered Falling Water. Later on an engineer, Robert Silman, had to design renovations to keep it up.

[@johnkeviljr9625]

@@pcatful Wright studied architecture for only a year at UW. He did not do the structural engineering for Falling Water or other properties. Wright notoriously kept the names of his engineers out of the picture. Don't shoot the messenger here. I like Wright's work, but he was a publicity hog. He was the definition of a publicity hog.

[@pcatful]

Oh OK. I stand corrected--since I didn't study this extensively. However if there is no evidence, how do we know this?@@johnkeviljr9625

[@hrh4961]

A fun place to visit, a bitch to live in. Why did the Kaufmann son, when he inherited the property, unload it ASAP? Here's only one of the multitude of reasons: tens of thousands of dollars each year to keep pernicious mold/mildew at bay.

[@Sherman62]

Kaufmann Jr kept and used the house for nearly a decade after his parents' deaths. His ashes are spread on the site of Fallingwater. Obviously, it was dear to him. Yes, it was a very expensive house to build and staff, but the family were multi-millionaires back when that really meant something. Kaufmann Jr. said that as times changed, maintenance of such a place became less practical. The mold you mention would have afflicted any home built on the site, but THE SITE was a major part of the objective. No, you or I could not afford to keep Fallingwater up as a vacation home, but that is beside the point.

[@hrh4961]

@@Sherman62 Yes, it was a few years before arrangements were finally accomplished that Eddie Jr unloaded Fallingwater. But how much time did he actually spend there? He had other residences. Upper NY state being one, designed by his SO. One other, in particular, on posh Canyon Road in Santa Fe, comes to mind. At 7,000 ft elevation, high desert, lotsa sun, no rain, no mold, sensible ceiling height, no boulders for floors, a very active and sophisticated social, art and gay scene; or stuck in the woods in the middle of nowhere with a couple of servants and all that mold. I know where I'd be. And don't give a shit where my ashes are scattered after I'm dead.

[@skskees]

@@hrh4961Doubt someone that rich was "stuck". And some of us like being in the middle of nowhere.

[@hrh4961]

@@skskees Of course he wasn't stuck. He was so often in Santa Fe, or any number of other destinations enjoying the gay life. . Been to SF numerous times and people who knew him have pointed out his house on Canyon Road, and, unsolicited, offered anecdotes about him. Not a "middle of nowhere" kind of guy. For short periods of time, probably, but not a steady diet. His SO was the one who liked it there. Even designed the merch shop, and had his ashes scattered there, too. Your fifteen minutes of fame stretched waaaaaay out there.

[@gary24752]

I once watched how an architect was expaining how Wright sighted his buildings with a 30/60 triangle and now I cannot find that video. You wouldn't happen to know which one it was?

[@RyanParsons]

Search fallingwater documentary, it looks like a video from the 80s where Edgar Kaufmann JR was featured in and lots of FLW apprentices.

[@RyanParsons]

"The Falling Water House"

[@gary24752]

@@RyanParsonsThank you.

[@flyer3455]

I can only imagine what it looked like new. When I visited, it looked like it was slowly falling apart.

[@paulbuerton8143]

All those flat roof planes are not so great in the PA winters. Seen this many times in lots of different states. It's a constant repair property. At least it has the funding and love

[@hrh4961]

@@paulbuerton8143 Thinning the surrounding woods, perhaps as it was when FLW worked on the house, would alleviate some/a little/a lot of the problem.