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Friday, September 21, 2012

kentuck knob & fallingwater

Sunday morning we left Pittsburgh behind and started driving towards Kentuck Knob, our first stop following the footsteps of Frank Lloyd Wright in rural Pennsylvania. The house was build for I.N. and Bernadine Hagan with construction starting in 1953 and being finished in 1956. The Hagans asked Frank Lloyd Wright to design them an usonian home after liking nearby Fallingwater so much, which was owned and commissioned by their friends the Kaufmanns. Frank Lloyd Wright was 86 years old when designing the house and also busy working on the Guggenheim Museum and the Beth Sholom Synagogue. Kentuck Knob was one of the last houses completed by Wright . The Hagans lived in their house year round for almost 30 years. It is owned by Lord Palumbo since 1986, who initially bought it as a vacation home and generously opened it to the public for tours in 1996. 

We had booked the regular tour of Kentuck Knob which took about 45 minutes and allowed us to see but not photograph the interior. After finishing the tour P and I walked around the premises and then headed to Fallingwater because we were afraid to miss the start of our in-depth tour over there. But the good planners that we are we had plenty of time to spare. The in-depth tour of Fallingwater guides you through the whole house as well as the guest and staff quarters, all in all it took about two hours. When our tour came to an end the grounds were already closed but we were allowed to roam around for another half hour, thus allowing us to take exterior shots of the house without random people. And you guys know of how much I dislike random folk in my shots ;) I took hundreds of photos but unfortunately I will not be able to share them with you because publication of the photos visitors take is not allowed without permission. And you guessed it I didn't ask for permission yet...

The construction of Fallingwater started in 1936 and the main house was finished in 1937. The Kaufmanns had built it as their nature retreat to replace cabins on the site. I would not mind living above a waterfall and feeling one with nature. Edgar Kaufmann Sr. wife Liliane insisted on a plunge pool that is fed by the stream, which I think is a great idea. Wright didn't like it but headed his clients wish. My favorite area of the house was the top floor, the area the Kaufmanns son Edgar Jr. used to stay at. With being so close to the trees and the big windows everywhere it felt like living in a tree house. The Kaufmanns used the house until 1963 as a weekend retreat and in 1963 it was donated to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and opened to visitors in 1964. If you are ever in the Pittsburgh area I highly encourage you to visit both Kentuck Knob and Fallingwater.

Have you visited any cool houses lately? Or do you have any on your list you would like to see?

Have a great weekend!

 
 
 
 
 

10 comments:

  1. I have not visited any cool homes like this and would really like to at some point - you've motivated me to see if there are any cool homes I should be touring close to me

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  2. I don't live too far from the Beth Shalom Synagogue, and I remember my parents pointing it out to me every time we drove by for its significance. I just read an historical fiction by T.C. Boyle on Frank Lloyd Wright called "The Women" which I highly, highly recommend. It goes into detail about his personal life but also his architecture and houses. Cool pictures!

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    1. Just put "The Women" on my to read list! Thanks for the tip...

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  3. 86 and working on three projects at the same time! He must have loved his job. Although so would I if could do something as amazing as he.

    I'm surpriced how detailed that house is, wow!

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    1. Can you believe all the little details? Did you notice how the skylights on the covered terrace create these hexagonal light spots on the floor?

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  4. Oh to be able to buy a Frank Lloyd Wright house as a weekend home...(sigh) The Glass House is definitely on my list (for a while now!)

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    1. Oh, the Glass House has been on my list in forever too...It's so close but I still haven't made it.

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  5. Wow! I suppose it goes without saying that this home is amazing! Huge fan of Frank Lloyd Wright. (Thanks to Erin for that reading recommendation.) My dream home is surrounded by tall red wood and pine trees. However, my husband loves to live by the beach. Right now, he's winning. ;) I'm sad that you can't share the photos you took of Fallingwater. However, rules are rules. I read somewhere that along with the home design, FLW also has specific furniture commissioned so that it matches the architecture. Did you find this to be true?
    Happy you were able to experience both tours. They both sound amazing. Still trying to get myself over to the Eames house tour.

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  6. Lovelovelove this! LOVE. Can I say it enough? There's a FLW near me in Virginia Beach somewhere, but I don't think you can tour it. I know it's is hallmark, but look how beautifully that house blends in with its surroundings! I would love to see your photos.

    I've read "Loving Frank," but "The Women" will have to go on my list now too!

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