Fallingwater, Built on Brave Choices and Still Unconventional

Most of the furnishings in the living area are built in. Here Wright embellished his narrow palette with black walnut veneer for all the interior woodwork, including shelving, tables, cabinetry and doors. He also added the orange, yellow and red of his beloved Southwest for the rugs, throw pillows and floor cushions in the seating areas.

Is Fallingwater livable by today's standards? Absolutely, though you would certainly want to change some things. For example, the kitchen is separated from the living area because it was manned by servants who accompanied the Kaufmanns whenever they used the house.

Is anyone out there daring enough to take a similar leap into the unknown and build a Fallingwater for the 21st century? Although anything is possible, it seems unlikely in today's litigious business environment, where the smallest hint of a building problem can initiate a lawsuit.

Most architects today would not design something that flaunts current engineering norms to the degree that Wright did with Fallingwater. And most owners would not be a bold as Kaufmann. Early on, his own engineers reviewed Wright's design and advised him to abandon the project. To our lasting benefit, he forged ahead.

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For information on visiting Fallingwater, check the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Web site, http://www.fallingwater.org, or call 724-329-8501.

Many books have been written about Fallingwater. "Fallingwater, A Frank Lloyd Wright Country House," written by Edgar Kaufmann Jr., the son of the original owners, best conveys the look of the house and its interiors. "Fallingwater Rising," by Franklin Toker, describes the fascinating history of the house and how Wright and Kaufmann made it happen.

Questions? Katherine Salant can be contacted at http://www.katherinesalant.com.