Frank Lloyd Wright is regarded as the greatest American architect ever. He was a pioneer of organic architecture, drawing inspiration from the landscape of Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. In this region, four Frank Lloyd Wright homes stand, each integrating the stunning natural surroundings into its design.
Frank Lloyd Wright Fallingwater
Wright’s crowning achievement, Fallingwater, is deemed one of the world’s most famous homes. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is managed by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. This year celebrates the 60th anniversary of the property’s public opening, and the house has recently reopened following the completion of its winter preservation efforts on 15 March.
Kentuck Knob
Merely seven miles southwest of Fallingwater, perched on a bluff with a commanding view of the Youghiogheny River Gorge, is Kentuck Knob, another of Wright’s masterpieces. It exemplifies Wright’s Usonian principles through its organic layout, cantilevered extensions, and vast glass areas. The 2024 visiting season commenced this week, with the house welcoming visitors every day until 2 November.
Polymath Park
Situated less than 30 miles from Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, Polymath Park boasts two Wright-designed houses, the Duncan House and Mäntylä, originally constructed in the Midwest and later moved to the Laurel Highlands. Additionally, the park includes the Balter and Blum (main image) houses, built on the Westmoreland County property and designed by Wright’s apprentice, Peter Berndston.
Polymath Park offers unique visitor experiences such as “destination dining” in TreeHouse dining pods or at the TreeTops Restaurant, and the opportunity to stay overnight in any of the four homes, as they are all available for daily rental.
To delve deeper into Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, one can visit his office, now a museum situated in a custom-built facility in Erie. This office is included in the global list of publicly accessible Wright sites. Click here to read more.
Travel Pennsylvania
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