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Bronson Bass
Dr. Jeff Schnable
Frank Lloyd Wright
12/6/13
Arch. 100
Falling Water
Frank Lloyd Wrights piece of architecture Falling Water follows so many different
themes that have been discussed in class. The most prominent one would be geometry. At my
first Google Images search of this project I noticed the planes that make-up most of the terrace
work and the roof. This really was inspiring and drew my eyes to look for smaller details. Frank
Lloyd Wright looked carefully around the site and used the natural resources very well. How
well the house and cement terraces blends into the trees and the stone waterbed it almost appears
as if it were floating above the waterfall. Lighting is a very prominent part as well with one
complete side of glass. Meaning is a huge aspect in this work as well connecting the architecture
to nature and humans. There are many more themes to discuss, but these are my favorite ones
that I feel are prominent in this work of architecture.
The geometric aspect of Falling Water allows the viewer to see past the exterior and into
the inner spectrum. The huge chunks of cement that create the terraces make it seem that there is
not too much height inside the rooms, and this is somewhat true of the architecture. This is a key
trait which allows the home to further blend nature with a man-made environment. The multiple
plains give Wrights masterpiece a form of hierarchy, creating a position of scale, which allows
the home to fit into its natural setting very nicely.
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Nature is almost as prominent as geometry on the outside. There are many natural
resources used, and with the natural color pallet on the cement this adds to the sense of a laid
back vibe and ties into the nature theme that Wright has captured within the home. The
Southwestern inspiration behind the home, evident in the Cherokee Red color used through the
whole home, used Native American influence and their connection to help harmonize the man-
made steel work of the home with nature (The Falling Water House). He understood that people
were creatures of nature; hence an architecture which conformed to nature would conform to
what was basic in people. The title of this property is very accurate for the reason that the cement
terraces looks like the natural waterfall beneath.

Light is another major theme reflected through all of Falling Water. His use of natural
lighting is carried through the whole home as a huge component in the way the home is lit. Large
windows facing south allow for light to fill the space. This key component builds on Wrights
concept of building a living area into nature. The low ceiling in the home allows the light to fill
the room easily creating a larger sense width with volume, adding the spectators sense of
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comfort within the space. Also, the cleanings being low create a since that its very heavy, but
with the light coming in, it relieves the heavy feeling.
The space/scale of Falling Water is one theme that Wright made very relevant in this
work of architecture starting from the bridge and driveway on the outside of the house. The
entryway into the house is very short and dark, but by creating the entire entry like this Wright
made the viewer value the spaces to follow.







Works Cited:
N.d. The Falling Water House. 17 Aug. 2013. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.