Frank Lloyd Wright

 

Falling Water House

One of America’s greatest architects and designers was Frank Lloyd Wright (1869-1959). Wright’s work was organic since it became a liveable extension of the surrounding environment. One prime example is Fallingwater.

In 1935, Edgar and Liliane Kaufmann, owners of the Kaufmann Department Store in Pittsburgh, PA, sought Wright’s expertise to design and construct a vacation home in the area of Mill Run, PA. The 5330 square foot home (including exterior terraces) is cantilevered over a waterfall, making this structure and its occupants literally one with nature. The waterfall cannot be seen from inside of the home, only heard, heightening the senses.

 

Guggenheim Museum in New York

 

Another unique structure designed by Wright is the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. The design of the museum was not viewed positively at first. As a matter of fact, many commented that it looked like a toilet in the middle of New York City! This circular structure, juxtaposed with the surrounding rectilinear buildings, was located close to Central Park. Of course, this was the logical location for Wright as he sought to design organic structures and connect them with the natural world. Upon entering the art museum, visitors are taken via elevator to the top floor and then descend in a gradual sloping spiral down to the bottom, viewing the artworks as they move along. Unfortunately, Wright did not live to see the finished project as he died in 1959 prior to its completion.