For those celebrating Christmas, I hope you had a wonderful holiday. For others, I hope your day was a good one.
For the time between Christmas Day and the new year, I want to provide posts that will capture your imagination. I call these the Exploring series with each featuring a short introduction and a video – all with hopes of getting interesting comments.
Watch, enjoy, and share your thoughts about this computer animation of an actual masterpiece.
A Frank Angle 
Impressive! I love the opening with all the nature sounds and then it just gets better. How do you find all these videos? Are you a cool magnet?
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Patti,
As far as finding these gems, it’s not that I’m constantly trolling for them, but I do bookmark a good one for future use when I see them. I can. Glad you enjoyed this one.
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That’s an amazing video and some pretty great music. Have you been there, Frank? I think my mother visited Fallingwater via a bus tour. And yes, you are a cool magnet. 😉
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Maddie,
Meanwhile, all is well here .. and I hope the same for you! Meanwhile, I imagine this place would be a wonderful tour.
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Ah thanks for the enjoyable music this morning. Nice start to my day. Happy Holidays Frank!
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TBM,
I’m with you on that one because I’ve also played this as background music … but the music also wonderfully matching the animation itself.
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Interesting. I notice the many layers projecting out like the strata of rock layers in the local geology. Frank put many angles in his works.
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Jim,
Good eyes as that is one of the things that caught my eye during the many times I’ve seen this.
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Have not been to Fallingwater, but I certainly recognized it right away. D1 had several Frank Loyd Wright designs posted on the wall of her room. We did travel West several times always taking a trip to Paradise Valley (Scottsdale) AZ to visit Taliesin West. I remember the docent touring us through the school saying one of the assignments students have is to build a habitat from materials from their surroundings and suitable for the desert.
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D1 attended ASU, so we traveled west several times including a visit to Taliesin West. I have never visited Fallingwater but recognize it from the drawings of it D1 had in her room of it and a feature in Smithsonian some time ago. I remember the docent who gave us a tour of TW telling us one of the assignments of students who attend the school is to build a habitat using local materials and one that can provide shelter in the desert.
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Georgette,
Interesting how this stimulates different thoughts in different people. In your case, interesting that D1 and her studies linked to this. Fascinating … so thanks for sharing … and now I’m wondering about Taliesin West. 🙂
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I do enjoy videos like this, but I am not to keen on the design of the house. I would love to live near/on the water, but in an old home, even a farmhouse would be fine for me.
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Catherine,
You bring up a good point because this type of design isn’t for everyone … then again, the same could be said for the farmhouse. Glad you enjoyed this one.
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Very cool video Frank. Reminded me of a few homes here in NW CT. http://connecticuthistory.org/modernism-in-connecticut-through-photographs/
Keep exploring !
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Audra,
Glad you enjoyed today bit of exploration … and glad it triggered the thought of interesting architecture in your state. Thanks for the link … very interesting … That church caught me a bit off guard. Meanwhile, more exploring tomorrow.
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Inspirational… Thank you, my dear Frank! 🙂
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Marina,
Given your location, that house my be new to you … but Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture is well know here. Meanwhile … you mentioned inspirational … and I think that’s one of the upcoming explorations!
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I am familiar with his work. He is very popular in the designers world and this particular building built for for Mr. and Mrs. Edgar J. Kaufmann is stunning! Looking forward to your upcoming explorations!! 🙂
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I’m not surprised of your familiarity!
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I have seen this video along with several others done by Cristobal Vila! They are masterpieces in and of themselves. I learned about Frank Lloyd Wright’s work many years ago while studying Industrial Design at Georgia Tech, although I’ve never actually visited any of the houses he designed. But Falling Waters would definitely be at the top of the list.
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Cathy,
I too have seen others from Cristobal Vila, but I won’t say more. 😉 …. thus I deleted your link.
Because you studied industrial design, I imagine you would love to see any or all of his homes. Besides, you also have the keen eye for catching the nuances. Like you, I haven’t been to any other, but I guess I should make it a point. Besides, only a few hours from me is a small city loaded with architectural gems … http://www.columbus.in.us/listings/index.cfm?catId=336 … and I have yet to visit. It just may have to be a day trip during warm weather.
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There is no doubt that FLW was brilliant in his visions for edifices that did not mar the natural landscape but whose sole purpose was to add to the beauty of the surrounding environment. He did not, however, treat his wives, children and family, students, colleagues, friends and acquaintances with the same caring and concern that energized his brilliance for architectural form and detail. Sometimes the human environment pays the price for genius. Sparkle? Not so much…
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Raye,
I don’t know much about FLW, so thanks for the extra bit of info. Interesting how with the addition of brilliance is offset by the subtraction of something else … and in this case, on the respect of other side.
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Well, my internet hates me..when I clicked on the video, it told me it was restricted and go to youtube. I’ll see if I can youtube Falling Water and find it! (maybe I will get lucky)
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Hood,
Maybe it has something to do with Arkansas. 😉 … Sometimes, the clicking the message will direct you to the video. You can also right click, select Copy URL, then paste it … all worth a try.
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I have super crappy Comcast internet! (and tried clicking the message and got a pop-up blocker…) I’ll try your suggestion.
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Hey! You’re a genius! It worked! (and it was really cool)
I’ve always loved water falls – we have some great ones at the lake I go to and a hidden one at the river that only flows after a lot of rain.
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Glad it worked!
Cheers to your love for water falls. I find it interesting that different people grab onto different aspects of the same video. Simply fascinating!
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The architect in me just loves the rebuilding of the house! The programmer in me says they still haven’t conquered water in computer animation. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lovely piece. Water is just so chaotic and controlled at the same time, that a computer just can’t wrap its’ head around a proper portrayal, especially of water in motion. But soon!
(Yeah, I’m an inveterate nitpicker. Just one of the things that makes me so .. unique! And yes, I hear you yelling “Thank GOD there’s only one of him!” 😀 )
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John,
I intentionally set this up with the hopes of getting a variety of comments, so I appreciate your two perspectives.
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If you’ve read my book reviews, you know that there’s Two of us. We’re unique together, even when one of us is late. 🙂
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Well, of COURSE we think alike. It’s very common for grandparents and their gra…. er …. fellow strange blogger to think alike. 😉
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I agree with the commenters who proclaimed you a “cool magnet.”
This house reminds me of the Van Dam house in North by Northwest. In fact, I looked it up to see if it was the same (I have a lousy memory for details.) I’ve never been a big FLW fan. But I could never live in this house. The sound of constant running water would keep me in the bathroom all day!
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Elyse,
You don’t need anymore BR time, so at least you know your limits. Interesting how opinions vary about architects and style. After all, its a field where one size definitely does not fit all.
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Was that what you meant when you requested interesting comments, Frank?
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Absolutely! 🙂
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Being a kitchen designer who lived for a significant chunk of time near Wright’s Chicagoland masterpieces, I am a huge fan of Frank Lloyd Wright. Although I have yet to make it to visit Falling Water, it has always been one of my favorites from his portfolio. This video was beautifully crafted and did the structure justice. Loved it!
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Theresa,
Love your perspective as a designer. Than again, I’m sure not every kitchen designer is a FLW fan. BTW …. Hopefully I can get an email to you later this evening.
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Hi Frank!
Nice music in that video – calming & happy 🙂
The place is beautiful & welcoming – looks very peaceful.
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RoSy,
I think of this one as delivering a bit of a paradox of calming excitement. Glad you found peace in this piece.
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I’d heard of this house but never seen it. I suppose I still haven’t but the computer animation was very good. As someone interested in construction I’d love to build a place like this, but I wouldn’t want to live it 🙂
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Fasab,
Contemporary designs like that aren’t for everyone … but they are interesting. I haven’t seen any of FLW’s houses, but maybe someday.
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I’ve always wanted to tour one of his homes, and this was a nice substitute for now. Although I have an older home, I really do like contemporary design. If I could start my life all over again, I’d go in that direction. LOL! I am sure to enjoy your series, Frank. Great for the new year!
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just saying hey…on my way to the next exploration. 🙂 happy Saturday!!
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Frank, thanks for this really fine video.
HNY!
Joe
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Frank! Great to stop by. I just stopped by Laurie’s Place (do you know who I’m speaking of?). Grin.
Ok. Once again, you’ve outdone yourself. The music is spectacular. The music with the computer animation is perfectly done, and I’m not one to care much about computer animation. My husband has noted the song (he’s a big fan of all things music, and a computer “geek” (his words, not mine)).
My mom is a HUGE FLW fan. She has every book, knows every fact, and has visited most of his homes, this one included. My brother lives in Oak Park, IL…need I say more? 🙂 We love our architecture and hx.
My thoughts: It proves to me that FLW has captured the hearts of people over numerous generations for many reasons: what he loved is universal. Heart, soul, nature, creating beautiful things, melding nature into our human lives…I could go on.
I wish you the very best in 2014. Working remotely and not doing much over here until another 10 days or so… 🙂
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Frank, first of all … I love the music – Moldau by Bedřich Smetana, he wrote this piece while he lived in Gothenburg. I just love it. The building is amazing …. Water is one thing we and the nature can’t be without. Thanks for sharing this. Eye and ear candy – perfect for my light lunch.
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Love the music and the house. Isn’t it spectacular? Love Frank Lloyd Wright, his designs are fabulous, what a mind.
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A visionary who had an unusual take on architecture. His minimalistic
style is masterful. He created and designed without intruding on space.
I haven’t been to Falling Waters – which, by now, I really should have – but
as an art major I believe he is a part of every professors lectures.
Great !!!
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Isadora,
I appreciate an artist’s perspective of this special place. i knew it was in Pennsylvania, but PA is a big state, so until several minutes ago, I didn’t know where in the state it was.
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Ah Frank, this is one of the wonders of Western PA – an inspiration to all of us who want to marry the inside of a house to the outside of nature. Thanks for sharing!
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Lynn,
Because I’ve never been there, now I’m curious. Cheers to one the gems in your state!
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Though we drove through the area, we were “too busy” to stop in. The wife wouldn’t even allow me to pull five miles off the highway to see where the fifth 9/11 plane went down. It’s gorgeous Frank. 🙂
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Archon,
Receiving the Archon Seal of Approval is big!
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