OT: Visited Fallingwater yesterday

[Ranger Dan]

Here’s the problem though 100% of his flat roof designs leaked water. Including Falling Waters

Yes, and wright said that all roofs leak so he incorporated that into the design. I would call that a self fulfilling prophecy, but it’s an amazing architectural achievement.

 

[j-buff]

I was able to see both while staying near by after seeing Fallingwater i couldn’t wait to see Kentuck knob and I was very impressed

 

[klive]

I was an architecture major and visited in the fall, one of the coolest places I’ve ever been! Albert Einstein was a frequent guest there as well which I thought was equally cool. Glad you enjoyed it!

 

[klive]

The final cost for the home and guest house was $155,000, which included $75,000 for the house; $22,000 for finishings and furnishings; $50,000 for the guest house, garage and servants' quarters; and an $8,000 architect's fee. From 1938 through 1941, more than $22,000 was spent on additional details and for changes in the hardware and lighting.

Wright made the cover of Time Magazine in January, 1938 (with the house behind him).

Dude! Thanks for posting all these great pics! Good stuff!

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Also, not sure how a bridge could be cantilevered

Well the 1st cantilevered bridge was built in 1867, so its been something that's been in use since before you were born.

One of the more famous cantilevered bridges was the original Tappan Zee Bridge, over the Hudson River. It was in use from 1955 until 2018, when it was replaced with the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

Other famous cantilevered bridges include the Bay Bridge, in Oakland, CA, the Queensboro Bridge, in NYC, the Commodore Barry Bridge, between Chester, PA and Bridgeport, NJ, and the Pont de Quebec Bridge, in Quebec, Canada.

 

[step.eng69]

that's going a tad overboard. Cantilever had been used in bridges in the late 1800s before it was ever used in houses. Frank Lloyd Wright first used it in the Robie House (in Chicago) in 1906, which predates Fallingwater.

Be nice Tom, I like that the Ranger knew the structural mechanic's, but yes, you are correct in the use of cantilevered structures prior to Fallingwater.

One of my daughter's summer assignments at The PSU was Fallingwaters. She couldn't stop talking to me about the assignment. I love her, and The Pennsylvania State University...sometimes. I was so thrilled for her, the enthusiasm she displayed after studying the site in the early 90's. Now, everything I had loved dearly about The University is rapidly eroding. My self and family have had so many terrific experiences in the past with the University and still will endure my second oldest grandchild his law bar exam study, another granddaughter entering her junior yr, and the youngest starting her freshman yr. I am not proud of the managment of our University, and suggested to the grandkids to apply elsewhere.

 

[81b&w]

Funny how you remember stuff but did anyone notice how low the sit on toilets were? I asked why on a tour many years ago

 

[Ranger Dan]

Well the 1st cantilevered bridge was built in 1867, so its been something that's been in use since before you were born.

One of the more famous cantilevered bridges was the original Tappan Zee Bridge, over the Hudson River. It was in use from 1955 until 2018, when it was replaced with the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

Other famous cantilevered bridges include the Bay Bridge, in Oakland, CA, the Queensboro Bridge, in NYC, the Commodore Barry Bridge, between Chester, PA and Bridgeport, NJ, and the Pont de Quebec Bridge, in Quebec, Canada.

I’m not a structural engineer, but the use of the term cantilever in a bridge is oxymoronic to me. Seeing the examples, I now understand the nuance that I wasn’t seeing. Still, my point was that FLW pioneered the use of cantilever in home construction.

 

[yeahtoasty]

After donating Fallingwater to the Western Pa Conservancy, Edgar Kaufmann jr. would occasionally visit and serve (anonymously) as a tour docent. At the end of the tour, he’d then say “So...what do you think of my house?” and reveal his identity. Would’ve been cool to see the place through his eyes, I think.