Fallingwater

Okay, we are here at Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s home that he completed in 1937 for Edgar and Liliane Kaufmann. And, uh, we’re gonna go on a little tour today. So, we’ll take a look inside—the house is actually built over a waterfall—so wouldn’t you like that? To have your house built over a waterfall?
Not your ordinary home: it’s a cantilevered structure—that’s what we call these horizontal lines here, and it was, uh, something that Frank Lloyd Wright designed, therefore, a striking scene. He had his own very modern way of designing homes. Our tour guide just explained that Frank Lloyd Wright never lived here—this was the home of Edgar and Liliane J. Kaufmann—only on the weekends. I’ll pick that up in just a moment.
As I was just mentioning, Frank Lloyd Wright never lived here in this home. It was the weekend getaway for Edgar and Liliane J. Kaufmann and their family—of the Kaufman Department Store heirs. Actually, they founded the Kaufmann Department Store in Pittsburgh.
So, they contracted out Frank Lloyd Wright to design it on this lovely rural piece of property here in the Laurel Mountains of Pennsylvania, approximately one hour east of Pittsburgh.
And I don’t know if the Kaufmann’s came down those steps in the morning to take their morning bath, but it certainly would wake them up, the cold water.
Well, Fallingwater was finished in 1937, and, uh, the guesthouse up behind it was finished in 1939. One interesting thing about this is Frank Lloyd Wright built the house into the hillside, the mountainside, and actually used the stone—right there—as, um, foundation for this. So, uh, he did not destroy the land and he didn’t clear things away like they do today, with all of this.
It was, uh, built at a cost of $155,000, and Wright made a commission of $8,000 back then. So, but of course, today it’s priceless—you could not build it again.
This is the Visitors Center at the Frank Lloyd Wright Fallingwater complex—just beautiful facility nestled into the forest here in the Laurel Mountains outside of Pittsburgh. Just a lovely place—very cool and relaxing.
Okay, so Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were here two years ago for Brad Pitt’s birthday party, and, um, nobody else was here, it was a private tour—and I bet you they let Brad Pitt take photographs. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take any photographs up there today, so, but I’m not Brad Pitt—I might look like him, but I’m not Brad Pitt.
So, one more look at Fallingwater outside of Pittsburgh. When you have a chance, come to Pittsburgh and see Fallingwater—Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece. See you next time!

Key Words

Cantilevered (adj) – A projecting structure, such as a beam, that is supported at one end and carries a load at the other end or along its length.
Horizontal (adj) – at right angles to a vertical line.
Striking (adj) – bold, very dramatic, gets your attention.
Contracted (verb) – to hire someone to perform a specific task for a fee.
Rural (adj) – out in the country.
Foundation (noun) – the solid base on which a home or building is built. Usually stone or concrete.
Commission (noun) – the fee paid to someone for completing a task or job.
Nestled (verb) – to lie in a sheltered, protected area.
Brad Pitt (person) – a very famous and handsome American actor often compared to Bill Quinn.
Masterpiece (noun) – a fine work of art, beautiful, perfectly done.