Falling Water - Frank Lloyd Wright

2023年05月08日

アメリカの有名な建築家フランク・ロイド・ライトの有名な作品、「落水荘」について今日は取り上げてみたいと思います。(English) Today I would like to take up the famous work of the renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, "Fallingwater".

Falling Water - Frank Lloyd Wright

//Summary - Level-C1//

"Fallingwater" is a renowned house designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Located in Pennsylvania, USA, it stands on a rock by a river and gives the illusion of being part of a waterfall. Its unique design and integration with the natural environment attract thousands of visitors annually. Frank Lloyd Wright, an influential American architect, gained fame for his Prairie House designs but faced setbacks in his career. He was involved in personal scandals and had conflicts during the construction of the Imperial Hotel in Japan. Despite these challenges, he created iconic works like Fallingwater and Johnson Wax's structure. Wright's designs often incorporate elements from nature, and he was also involved in furniture and lighting design.

Do you know Fallingwater?

"Fallingwater" is said to be one of the most fascinating buildings for aspiring architects. It is a house designed by the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It is characterised by its unique structure and its natural setting.

The building is in the remote Mill Run Mountains, 50 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. However, it is estimated that 120,000 people from all over the world visit the building every year. So why is it such an attractive building that attracts so many people?

Features of Fallingwater

This building was realised in 1935 by Mr Edgar Kaufmann, who commissioned Wright (now called Frank Lloyd Wright) to design a weekend home. At the time, the building was officially named the Edgar Kaufmann House. Kaufman is said to have commissioned Wright to build a house with a view of the falls. The site of this building is on a rock by the river.

However, it was designed and constructed to rise from the rocks beside the river, so it looks like it is standing in a waterfall. This, combined with the nature of the building and its harmony with the natural environment, gave the house the name 'Falling Water'.

You can go down directly to the waterside from the living room stairs.

The interior is like a photograph. He understands Japanese culture and strives to incorporate his design into traditional Japanese furnishings.

Wright was quite the ukiyo-e collector.

There is a theory that he was inspired by Katsushika Hokusai's Kiso Kaido Ono Waterfall.

Rating Fallingwater

Fallingwater was voted the number one residential building in a poll by America's 200th Anniversary magazine.

Who is Frank Lloyd Wright?

Who was this architect, Frank Lloyd Wright?

American architect and one of the three great masters of modern architecture. (1867-1959)

He became famous in the late 1800s and early 1900s for his Prairie House designs. He then lost his fame as a result of a personal incident.

He was mentally devastated. At the same time, however, he was commissioned to design the new Imperial Hotel in Japan.

But Wright, a perfectionist, clashed with the hotel's management over budget and long delays.

He was sacked during construction and left Japan. As a result, he never saw the finished Imperial Hotel. However, his best student, Arata Endo, took over his later designs.

In his later years, Wright returned to the forefront, with Fallingwater (this time Kauffman House) and Johnson Wax's cantilevered structure attracting attention.

His architectural works include Old Yamatei (Yodoko Guest House) and Jiyugaoka Myonichikan in Japan and the United States.

About his private affairs

The event that triggered this was an affair with Mama Cheney, the wife of the owner of Cheney House, which was completed in 1904.

At the time, Wright had six children with Catherine Tobin, whom he had married in 1889. Already in love with Mrs Cheney, Wright asked his wife Katherine for a divorce, but she refused. So in 1909, at 42, Wright finally closed his office, abandoned his family and eloped with Mrs Cheney to New York and Europe.

He had no design activity for two years until he returned to America in 1911. During his stay in Berlin, however, he was involved in editing and supervising the collection of Wright's work published by Wasmut, which later made Wright's architecture widely known and significantly impacted the modern European architectural movement.

When Wright returned to the US in 1911, he was in a crisis, with his fame and commissions plummeting due to his affair. However, his wife still refused to divorce him. Finally, however, Wright began designing Taliesin on land in Spring Green, Wisconsin, given to him by his mother, Anna, to accommodate his new home with Mrs Cheney.

After this, more incidents occurred in Wright, who received more commissions, albeit on a smaller scale. Taliesin's servant, Julian Carlton, set fire to the building. He also slaughtered Mrs Cheney, her two children, and seven pupils with an axe. Carlton, who was arrested, starved to death in jail seven weeks later without giving a motive for his crime.

Wright, who was in Chicago at the time, was unharmed. However, he was emotionally scarred and found himself in the scandal. Under these circumstances, he was asked to design the new Imperial Hotel in Japan.

In 1913 he visited Japan to design the new Imperial Hotel. After that, he visited Japan many times and continued with the design. However, there was a conflict with the management team due to a significant budget overrun and construction delays. As a result, he left Japan without seeing the hotel's completion. Nevertheless, the hotel's construction continued under the direction of his student, Arata Endo, and was completed in 1923.

Wright was hit by a series of misfortunes, both professionally and privately. In the second half of the 1930s, however, he produced two significant works, Kaufmann House (Fallingwater) and Johnson Wax Co, Ltd, and in his 70s, he returned to the centre of history.

Finally

During his childhood, Wright lived surrounded by nature. From this experience, he is known for his designs, which consistently incorporate patterns from the natural world (plants, shells, etc.).

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright was an all-rounder, designing architecture and everything from lighting to furniture. Wright's architectural work and the design and construction of furnishings, such as furniture, can be found on his website and in books.

Seven mansions designed by master architect Frank Lloyd Wright where you can stay

You can stay and enjoy the best historical architecture.

https://www.modernliving.jp/architecture-design/architecture/g43733604/top-frank-lloyd-wright-houses-you-can-book-2305/

The Falling Water House

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvQZbC1OOZc

The documentary film is about one of Frank Lloyd Wright's greatest masterpieces.

In 1935, Frank Lloyd Wright designed a country house for the Kaufmann family over

a small stream in rural southwestern Pennsylvania, 43 miles (69 km) southeast of Pittsburgh, built-in 1936 -1939

Fallingwater was the family's weekend home from 1937 to 1963.

In 1963, Kaufmann, Jr. donated the property to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

In 1964, it was opened to the public as a museum.

Nearly 6 million people have visited the house as of January 2008.

About 135,000 visitors per year.

Add info)

Q1. Please list and briefly explain the three most amazing buildings in the world.

It has good historical value, modern style, and unique monumental architecture worldwide.

Mainly list the name of the country, the name and characteristics of the architect, the name of the building and its characteristics and the reason for your choice.

A1->

1. Hagia Sophia - Turkey

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia

Architect: Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus

Characteristics: Originally built as a Byzantine cathedral in Istanbul, Turkey, the Hagia Sophia showcases a unique blend of architectural styles, combining elements of Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman design. It features a massive dome, intricate mosaics, and beautiful marblework. Throughout history, it has served as a church, mosque, and now a museum, reflecting the cultural and historical transitions of the region.

Reason for choice: The Hagia Sophia represents a significant historical and architectural landmark, bridging the gap between different civilizations and religious traditions. Its grandeur and the innovative engineering techniques employed during its construction make it an awe-inspiring structure that stands as a testament to human ingenuity.

2. Burj Khalifa - United Arab Emirates

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burj_Khalifa

Architect: Adrian Smith (SOM Architects)

Characteristics: Located in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest skyscraper in the world, reaching a height of 828 meters. It features a sleek, modern design with a stepped, tapered structure and a telescopic spire. The building houses residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces and boasts observation decks offering panoramic city views.

Reason for choice: The Burj Khalifa represents a remarkable feat of modern engineering and design. Its towering height, and sleek aesthetics make it a symbol of Dubai's ambition and prosperity. Moreover, it showcases the possibilities of contemporary architecture, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in terms of height and structural innovation.

3. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao - Spain

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guggenheim_Museum_Bilbao

Architect: Frank Gehry

Characteristics: Situated in Bilbao, Spain, the Guggenheim Museum is renowned for its striking and unconventional design. The building features curved and undulating titanium panels, creating a visually captivating exterior. Its interior comprises vast open spaces and unique gallery layouts that enhance the visitor experience. The museum primarily exhibits contemporary and modern art.

Reason for choice: The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao represents a transformative architectural landmark that revitalized the city of Bilbao and redefined museum architecture. Its distinctive design and use of innovative materials have set new standards for contemporary museum buildings. In addition, it demonstrates the power of architecture to shape and revitalize urban landscapes.

These three buildings were chosen for their historical and cultural significance and exceptional architectural design. Each structure represents a different era and style, showcasing the evolution of architecture over time. From the timeless beauty of Hagia Sophia to the modern marvels of Burj Khalifa and Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, these buildings exemplify the diversity and brilliance of monumental architecture worldwide.

Falling Water - Frank Lloyd Wright