Destinations: Caribbean Islands by private jet
17 April 2026
Bourbon: at home with Woodford Reserve
20 April 2026Preservation of a masterpiece
F allingwater, the iconic house designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1930s in southwestern Pennsylvania, marks its 90th anniversary this year.
The landmark coincides with the completion of a three-year, $7m (£5m) restoration project undertaken under the auspices of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the charity which has owned the property since 1963.
While famous for its distinctive cantilevered appearance, natural stonework and forest location, Fallingwater has proved challenging to maintain. Flat roofs and terraces have been vulnerable to leaks and Wright’s decision to use river pebbles as part of the original concrete aggregate reduced its bonding capacity, affecting both masonry and window areas.
New York-based Architectural Preservation Studio led the conservation project, which was vital to keeping the attraction safe for the roughly 150,000 visitors who visit the building every year.
Fallingwater was originally designed by Wright for the Kaufmann family, who at the time owned the largest department store in Pittsburgh. It is a prime example of the architect’s signature style that combined local materials, colours, design elements and location to fuse art and nature.
The house was added to the Unesco World Heritage List in 2019.
Fallingwater and its landscape serve as host to immersive, site-specific installations by Fallingwater Institute artists-in-residence. These collaborations create new dialogues between Wright’s masterpiece of organic architecture and contemporary art, allowing viewers to challenge perceptions, reframe perspectives and experience Fallingwater in entirely different ways.
For more about visiting the house go to the Fallingwater website.