FLW's USE OF SPACE

On the Monticello/Falling Water trip, I personally enjoyed Frank Lloyd Wright's design of Falling Water much more.  Reasons for this include that Falling Water is more modern, has an exceptional location over a waterfall, and is simply more of my stylistic preference.  The factors that really win me over though, are Frank Lloyd Wright's ability to use natural materials as literally part of the house.  It amazes me that he did not move of alter any of the rocks that were already there, but instead designed his house around them.  He then continued the natural materials on the inside, where the floor looks like a continuation of the outside scenery.  Even the colors matched the outside world, with his use of cherokee red for the steel, and okra for the concrete, while the rest was natural stone.

My favorite part of all though, was his ability to control space.  He designed the house in a way that led people outside.  He used the actual space to make a person FEEL outside, as well as designed the walls and spaces so that it literally led your eyes towards the patios and windows.  For instance, he had really small and dark hall ways that led to open and bright spaces, which he called a "release of space."  He also had rooms that incorporated two ceiling heights so that your eye would be directed downwards until it hit the window, which usually took up an entire wall.

Finally, he was able to design his house so that no window was ever covered or blocked.  He did not use curtains, nor did he put any furniture that would prevent a window from being opened.  He even designed his furniture (such as the desks) so that there were cut outs in them specifically so the windows could full swing open.  Many of the rooms had patios as well so that one could walk outside almost whenever or where ever they wanted and could view the scenery.

I believe FLW's house captivated me the most because every aspect of the house was so carefully thought and planned out.  He took the time to decorate the house with furniture and color choices, design the house with horizontals, layers and stacks, as well as control how the house reacted to the landscape.