History & Culture 2 Project 1 Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright [Groupwork]

1. FALLINGWATER
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
BY
Nur Bahirah Binti Abdul Rahman
Renee Lim Wei Fen
Nur Aiman Binti Mohamad Shakir
Dayang Puteri Syahirah Binti Abang Omar
AIMI RUZANNA Binti Datu Adzman

2. Spatial Organization
by
Nur Bahirah Binti Abdul Rahman
[0311085]
Fallingwater is the name of a very outstanding house that extends over a waterfall in Bear
Run, Pennsylvania. Frank Lloyd Wright, America’s renowned architect, designed the house for

3. the Kaufmann family. It was built between 1936 and 1939. The house became famous because of
the genius structure that made it looked as if it doesn’t even appear to stand on a solid ground.
The house was built in a clustered organization manner. The spaces of the house are
clustered along a circulation path. The series of spaces are in rectangular shape, which varied in
different sizes and orientations.
The spaces on the main floor are grouped as the place for family and guests gathering
which consisted of only main room, dining area, kitchen, and staff room. Whereby the second
floor is composed of bedrooms for the family and the guest, while the third floor is classified as a
studying and relaxing place.
As a conclusion, Fallingwater was built in a clustered manner with a composition of
spaces, which are dissimilar in size, form and function but related to one another by an axial
condition. The main axis is the fireplace, and the axis unified the portions of a clustered
organization of Fallingwater.
Reference:
The Ringling. (n.d.). The Architecture of Fallingwater. Retrieved April 9, 2014, from
http://www.fallingwater.org/assets/Fallingwater_Architecture.pdf

4. Structure, Materials & Construction
by
Renee Lim Wei Fen
[0311016]
Fallingwater, one of the very famous masterpiece of Frank Lloyd Wright’s. Fallingwater is
famous for its structural values over the natural rock ledges in Bear Run. The building is a home
designed specially for the Kaufmann residence.

5. The most noticeable basic and dramatic structure is the cantilever that is covered by
concrete reinforced by interwoven rods. The terraces are made out of beams and joists within
them with concrete structures that looks like the egg-crate. Later, external post tensioning cables
were installed to increase compressive strength to the building. At the centre is a vertical wall
structure that acts as a central core that stabilizes the cantilevered trays and most of the other
parts the building. At the very bottom are piers and buttresses to help hold the load of the entire
building.
One of the materials used in Fallingwater are used to reflect the rustic characters of the
site. Whereby, stones were laid in a shifting manner to show natural stone layering. On the other
hand, concrete was used to soften the rough edges of the stones. Concrete is also capable of
molding into shapes easily because of its fluidity. Another important material is steel that’s acts
as a strength to the concrete. Steel covered the house as railings and window frameworks.
Certain part of the walls are not only covered by concrete but also clear glass to give the
occupants a wide view and a good feel of nature.
As a conclusion, Fallingwater was designed to incorporate with nature. The construction
of the vertical core and the structure of the cantilever made an amazing illusion for the building.
The materials used expressed naturality in its work that blends with the surroundings, most
importantly the waterfall.
Reference:
Turner, A.R. (2000). Engineering and Illusion. Retrieved from
http://www.well.com/user/arturner/fallingwater.html

7. Components
by
Nur aiman Binti Mohamad Shakir
[0311759]
Fallingwater is one of the most extraordinary house that was designed by famous
architect, Frank Lloyd Wright for Kaufmann’s family in 1936. It was built above a waterfall in
Mill Run, Pennsylvania. One of his most famous dictum is “Study nature, love nature, stay close
to nature. It will never fail you”. There are three main components of architecture that could be
found at the house which are fireplace, boulder floor and cantilevers.

8. Fireplace is the focus design of the house. It provides warmth thus considered to be the
hearth of the home for family gathering.
Cantilever is a balcony that looks like its floating in the air. It also functions as a flat
rooftop for the lower level. It was designed for the family so they could enjoy the nature and the
beautiful sceneries from the higher perspective view.
Boulder is the raised stone formation on the floor in the foreground that can be seen in the
living room. Moreover, it shows that Wright use this stone to make the floor to show
appreciation towards nature, instead of destroying the nature.
In conclusion, these components were used at the house in physical building which
embodied the architect’s philosophy while fulfilling the client’s need.
Reference:
Perez, A. (2010, May 14). AD Classics: Fallingwater House / Frank Lloyd Wright.
Retrieved April 9, 2014, from http://www.archdaily.com/60022/ad-classics-fallingwater-frank-
lloyd-wright/

9. Lilburnes. (n.d.). Fallingwater Architectural Components. Retrieved April 9, 2014, from
http://www.lilburnes.org/Students/Media2/FallingWater/Falling_arc_comp.html

10. Massing / Form
by
Dayang Puteri Syahirah Binti Abang Omar
[0310500]
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater has many unique qualities that set it apart as one of
the most famous residences until today. It is very well known for Wright’s genius design to
incorporate nature not just in the surroundings of the residence, but within it as well. This would
justify his statement of wanting the Kaufmann’s to ‘live’ with the waterfalls and not just look at
it every now and then. He wanted it to be a part of their daily lives.
One of the important aspects of Fallingwater would include its massing. The major forms
that make up the building would be the rectangular prisms which are stacked on top of one

11. another at 90 degree angles. Though it comprises of such simple geometry, it was designed in
such a way that the cantilevers or the rectangular balconies that jut outwards would hold the
whole residence over the waterfall.
The residence’s distinctive features would include the horizontal and vertical lines. The
perpendicular, parallel and intersecting lines actually make visible polygons in the form of space
for living. On the main level of the residence, it can be seen that the perimeter of the central
space is lit by square ceiling panels whilst the four corners are supported by rectangular
patterned stone piers. This goes to show that Wright did play around with a lot of basic
geometric forms and materials in which he complicated it to the point that they no longer look
foreign with the natural environment of Bear Run.
The bold rectangular geometry of the horizontal parapets and vertical stone massing over
the beautiful waterfall enclosed in a green environment is what makes Fallingwater one of
Wright’s greatest works in accordance to society and architectural experts. The combination of
geometric and organic forms while leaving the nature untouched would also be one of the best
features about Wright’s Fallingwater.
Reference:
The Chicago Architecture Foundation. (2007). The Architecture Handbook: A Student
Guide to Understanding Buildings. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from
http://www.architecture.org/document.doc?id=57
Lilburnes. (n.d.). Fallingwater : Geometry. Retrieved April 10, 2014, from
http://www.lilburnes.org/Students/Media2/FallingWater/Falling_Geometry.html

13. External Façade
by
Aimi Ruzanna Binti Datu Adzman
[0306177]
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater’s façade was beautifully built and it reflects the
characteristics of the inhabitants who love nature. The Fallingwater architecture itself was
influenced by the Japanese architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright wanted to create a harmony
between man and nature thus he used natural materials to integrate the house with the waterfall.
The extensions towards the natural surrounding was done with a long cantilevered terrace is one
of the beauty of the space. Moreover the terraces add a characteristic of sculpture to the houses
apart from their function when looking at a different series of right angles.
The external façade of the Fallingwater also shows several points of the Prairie Style. The
Prairie Style is said to be the first original American architectural style created by Frank Lloyd
Wright himself. Looking at the external façade of the house, it shows a strong horizontal pattern

14. which is one of the Prairie Style aspects with the horizontal line of bricks and terraces. Other
than that, Fallingwater also has clerestory windows. Clerestory windows consist of a line of
narrow windows along the very top of the house. Plus, the Fallingwater is integrated with the
landscape and the natural surroundings. It also has a flat roof, a wide overhanging eaves and a
stands out & central chimney.
Other than the usage of bricks and stone for the exterior structure that has a natural colour,
Frank Lloyd Wright used the color cream for the remaining façade which is contrast from the
surrounding environment depending on the season. He also intentionally built the chimney to be
the highest point on the exterior of the house by extending the chimney upward and stands out
from others. One can surely listen to the sound of waterfall even when they are inside the house.
There is also a stairs that leads one directly to the waterfall on the south side of the house so they
can enjoy it anytime. There are a number of pergolas as a canopy located on the road to the
entrance that is known as the "Forest of the House" on the north side of the house. In a nutshell,
the Fallingwater is a success of combining the architecture, man and nature.
Reference:
Antiquehomestyle.com. 2014. What is Prairie style?- Prairie School Houses - Chicago
School Architecture - Frank Lloyd Wright. [online] Available at:
http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/styles/prairie-school.htm [Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].
Craven, J. 2014. The Prairie House Style. [online] Available at:
http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/The-Robie-House.htm [Accessed:
14 Apr 2014].

15. Craven, J. 2014. Clerestory - Definition. [online] Available at:
http://architecture.about.com/od/structural/g/clerestory.htm [Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].
Passmore, K. 2014. Fallingwater—Frank Lloyd Wright’s powerful union of architecture
and nature | EDSITEment. [online] Available at: http://edsitement.neh.gov/fallingwater-frank-
lloyd-wrights-powerful-union-architecture-and-nature [Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].
Perez, A. 2010. AD Classics: Fallingwater House / Frank Lloyd Wright. [online]
Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/60022/ad-classics-fallingwater-frank-lloyd-wright/
[Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].
Westcotthouse.org. 2014. Frank Lloyd Wright - The Prairie Style: From Theory to
Practice. [online] Available at: http://www.westcotthouse.org/prairie_style.html [Accessed: 14
Apr 2014]
REFERENCES
Lilburnes. (n.d.). Fallingwater Architectural Components. Retrieved April 9, 2014, from
http://www.lilburnes.org/Students/Media2/FallingWater/Falling_arc_comp.html
The Ringling. (n.d.). The Architecture of Fallingwater. Retrieved April 9, 2014, from
http://www.fallingwater.org/assets/Fallingwater_Architecture.pdf
Turner, A.R. (2000). Engineering and Illusion. Retrieved from
http://www.well.com/user/arturner/fallingwater.html

16. Perez, A. (2010, May 14). AD Classics: Fallingwater House / Frank Lloyd Wright.
Retrieved April 9, 2014, from http://www.archdaily.com/60022/ad-classics-fallingwater-frank-
lloyd-wright/
The Chicago Architecture Foundation. (2007). The Architecture Handbook: A Student
Guide to Understanding Buildings. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from
http://www.architecture.org/document.doc?id=57
Lilburnes. (n.d.). Fallingwater : Geometry. Retrieved April 10, 2014, from
http://www.lilburnes.org/Students/Media2/FallingWater/Falling_Geometry.html
Antiquehomestyle.com. 2014. What is Prairie style?- Prairie School Houses - Chicago
School Architecture - Frank Lloyd Wright. [online] Available at:
http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/styles/prairie-school.htm [Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].
Craven, J. 2014. The Prairie House Style. [online] Available at:
http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/The-Robie-House.htm [Accessed:
14 Apr 2014].
Craven, J. 2014. Clerestory - Definition. [online] Available at:
http://architecture.about.com/od/structural/g/clerestory.htm [Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].
Passmore, K. 2014. Fallingwater—Frank Lloyd Wright’s powerful union of architecture
and nature | EDSITEment. [online] Available at: http://edsitement.neh.gov/fallingwater-frank-
lloyd-wrights-powerful-union-architecture-and-nature [Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].

17. Perez, A. 2010. AD Classics: Fallingwater House / Frank Lloyd Wright. [online]
Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/60022/ad-classics-fallingwater-frank-lloyd-wright/
[Accessed: 14 Apr 2014].
Westcotthouse.org. 2014. Frank Lloyd Wright - The Prairie Style: From Theory to
Practice. [online] Available at: http://www.westcotthouse.org/prairie_style.html [Accessed: 14
Apr 2014]