< Previous"For those of us who have shared the privilege of serving on the Fallingwater Advisory Committee over the years, I’m aware of the arduous work and diplomacy it has taken to bring Wright's extraordinary work to its deserved recognition on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The news from Azerbaijan first brought joy, then relief, then, upon reflection, gratitude to those at Fallingwater and the Conservancy who persevered to see this through. This designation recognizes Fallingwater’s historical significance." "Fallingwater’s uniqueness as a construction and as a spatial experience created for its specific natural setting make it a transcendent work of architecture. For this reason, Fallingwater is not only a masterwork of a globally eminent artist, but also a precious lesson in the way the built environment can transform our understanding of place. There is no work of modern American architecture more worthy of World Heritage status." "The ingenuity of Frank Lloyd Wright captures our soul, mind and imagination in Fallingwater! Although it was originally conceived more than 75 years ago on a couple of pieces of paper with a few pencil lines and sketches, it’s no surprise that today it still continues to challenge both our mind and soul. It’s truly an honor and privilege to be able to support this sacred ground of imagination and energy." "I am so proud of the many years of hard work and dedication from so many people who helped make this achievement a reality. Through the work of presenting and preserving Fallingwater, everyone on the Fallingwater and Conservancy staffs played an important role in why this historic landmark is now a World Heritage Site." "Wright, widely recognized as a leading pioneer of modern architecture, influenced the next generation of modernist architects in Europe. Yet in contrast to those architects, Wright’s dwellings were not detached from their settings, but instead integrated with them. Reflecting Wright’s Unitarian beliefs, a vital connectivity between humankind, their world and the very cosmos was thus affirmed." Dennis McFadden Fallingwater Advisory Committee Member Joseph M. Siry Professor of Art History and Humanities, Wesleyan University Michael D. Cheteyan, II Fallingwater Advisory Committee Member Susan Fitzsimmons Chair, WPC Board of Directors David DeLong Professor Emeritus of Architecture, University of Pennsylvania Emeritus advisor to the Fallingwater Advisory Committee THOUGHTS ON WORLD HERITAGE CONSERVE 20"It is greatly heartening, finally, to see Wright join Le Corbusier on the World Heritage List as one of the two greatest progenitors of modern architecture in the 20th century. Buildings by Wright speak across generations from around the world on behalf of the architect for molding materials into spaces of the most moving and profound human meaning and spiritual purpose." "Few architects worldwide have had so profound an impact on their field as has Frank Lloyd Wright. It is fitting that eight primary examples of his seminal work, which has been instrumental in shaping modernism globally since the early 20th century, be recognized on the World Heritage List. The inscription reflects that the relevance of this work is no less today than it was several generations ago. Fallingwater manifests the view of its donor, Edgar Kaufmann jr., that the dwelling and the tract of mostly wild land on which it rests form an inextricable whole." "Fallingwater becoming a World Heritage Site will dynamically facilitate the continued challenges related to the conservation, preservation and perpetuation of all its outstanding programs in perpetuity for the people of the world." "Achieving the World Heritage designation confirms the wisdom of Edgar Kaufmann jr., in choosing WPC to be responsible for the assets and potential of Fallingwater into the future. WPC has shown excellent stewardship for Fallingwater in choosing wise and capable leaders such as Lynda Waggoner and Justin Gunther to guide the preservation and potential of this world class Western Pennsylvania architectural site." "Walking through Fallingwater never fails to thrill me. Fallingwater is considered by many as the greatest single family home ever built in the 20th century. I am proud to be a member of this committee and so delighted that Fallingwater is now a part of the first World Heritage designation of modern architecture in our country." Neil Levine Professor of History of Art and Architecture, Harvard University Richard Longstreth Professor Emeritus of American Studies, George Washington University Fallingwater Advisory Committee Member Gil Walsh Fallingwater Advisory Committee Member Steve Guinn, Ph. D. Fallingwater Advisory Committee and WPC Board of Directors Member Michael M. Strueber Fallingwater Advisory Committee Member 21Alexander C. Speyer, III has been a member of the Fallingwater Advisory Committee for more than 20 years. He’s one of a few people living who is fortunate enough to have called Edgar Kaufmann jr. a close friend. Alex’s grandparents, Tillie and Alexander Speyer, were close friends with Liliane and Edgar Sr. And, Alex’s aunt and uncle, Darthea Speyer and A. James Speyer, were close friends to Edgar jr. for years. Also from Pittsburgh, the Speyers had a family farm only a few miles away from the Kaufmann farm on land where Fallingwater is located today. They, too, would often travel from Pittsburgh to relax in the rolling hills, wide-open spaces and the natural beauty of Fayette County. Alex was eight years old when he saw Fallingwater for the first time. He didn’t know then, but his life and sense of design, style and beauty would forever be influenced by Fallingwater and the family who owned it. The Speyers made a gift to establish Fallingwater’s Speyer Gallery during the Conservancy’s Our Shared Legacy campaign, which ended in 2015. Located in the Visitor Center, the gallery honors his family’s connection to and love of Fallingwater. Exclusively for Conserve, Alex shares some of his personal memories and reflections on why Fallingwater matters to him. What are some of your first memories of Fallingwater and the Kaufmann family? It was the late 1940s when I remember my grandparents and parents talking often about Fallingwater with praise and admiration. At the time there would have still been considerable public interest about 'the new house in the mountains.' A few years earlier, Wright and his sketch of Fallingwater were on the cover of Time Magazine. So, I already knew it was a special place long before I saw it. I was eight when my grandparents took me there for the first time to swim. The landscape was very different then and guests could drive right to the house from Rt. 381. As we approached, I recall hearing the waterfall and seeing the striking beauty of Fallingwater through the trees. Even at that age, it grabbed me. I was fascinated about how different it was. Then and still today, I have never seen anything like it. Over the years from family stories, I learned that after Fallingwater was designed Liliane and Edgar Sr. wanted my grandparents to build a house somewhere on their property. While a nice gesture, my grandparents felt that building in the shadow of Fallingwater would detract from the site and declined the offer. I often think perhaps Fallingwater would not exist today as a house museum if that had happened. So, I’m grateful those plans did not become reality. How did Fallingwater influence you? Fallingwater is absolutely a masterpiece to be experienced. No architect other than Frank Lloyd Wright could have conceived this work of genius. Every element of the design is elegant, from the straight and clean lines to the openness that allows nature to seep into the house. Through Wright and Fallingwater, you learn what it means to design a house for people to live with nature. Advisory Committee Chair Shares Personal History REFLECTIONS ON FALLINGWATER: Alex Speyer at Fallingwater CONSERVE 2223 Fallingwater’s design and artwork influenced me, and my family did as well. The Kaufmanns were trendy department store owners, so they all had an eye for design, color and style. Everyone in my family loved art, design and sculpture, too. My grandparents would gift art to the Kaufmanns from their travels. Those works continue to be displayed in the house and are still part of the Fallingwater collection. Aunt Darthea owned an art gallery in Paris and Uncle A. James was an architect in Chicago and the curator of 20th century art at the Art Institute of Chicago. From my teen years and on, I remembered Edgar jr.’s presence and friendship with them. He was stylish and talked a lot about good design and art, and would collaborate with my aunt and uncle on their extensive art collections. This was all while he was a curator at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in the mid-1960s and still guiding Fallingwater’s interior and site. Everything mattered to him, from reviewing paint colors, acquiring textiles for rugs and upholstery, purchasing pieces as throws for the seating to how to prune the rhododendron for prime blooming. As I grew older, I understood his eye for design detail; he wanted the world to see that in Fallingwater. I see all of their influences every time I see Fallingwater. It’s a tribute to all of them. The passion for design is in my blood, but Fallingwater makes it flow. What does preserving Fallingwater mean to you? It’s been a pleasure and an honor of a lifetime to lead efforts at Fallingwater from an advisory perspective. I’m proud to represent the committee and all of the talent, architectural expertise and perspective that makes the group cohesive. Each of us can talk personally about what Fallingwater means to us, but we are always reminded that while Fallingwater is steeped in history, it is ever-present. And now that Fallingwater is a World Heritage Site, it confirms what we already know: Fallingwater is quintessential modern architecture. I’m excited about Fallingwater’s future. With great leadership and ownership from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, we are well positioned to continue sharing Fallingwater with the world. Last year, at her request, I took my 10-year-old granddaughter, Emily, to Fallingwater for the first time – a very similar age and experience of my first visit. She had seen pictures and has heard many of my stories, however I didn’t know what Fallingwater meant to her. But after our visit, I asked her what she thought of it and she said, “Grandpa, Fallingwater exceeded my expectations!” That was a proud, deeply personal and gratifying moment. While it still makes me smile, it underscores the importance of why our work to preserve Fallingwater must continue in order to keep inspiring and exceeding expectations for everyone, especially those of the next generation. Thank You, Fallingwater Advisory Committee Fallingwater's Mission Made up of individuals committed to the preservation of Fallingwater, the Fallingwater Advisory Committee has provided guidance and support that was instrumental in helping to advance the World Heritage nomination process. In existence since 1988, the committee collectively possesses extensive knowledge of Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater and the Kaufmann family, and have broad expertise in many areas, including architecture, architectural history, historic preservation, landscape design and preservation, ecology, museum practice and management, law and philanthropy. In this volunteer role, the committee seeks to ensure that Fallingwater’s preservation and interpretation is informed by the best current thinking in relevant disciplines, and that Fallingwater and the Conservancy’s stewardship of it are presented accurately and positively. Fallingwater Advisory Committee includes the following individuals: Fallingwater preserves Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece, conserves the site for which it was designed, and interprets them and their history for present and future generations of the world community. In pursuing its work, Fallingwater demonstrates leadership and creativity, engages the public and celebrates the power of design in harmony with nature. Its approach is collaborative and it meets the highest recognized standards of museum and preservation practices. David Barensfeld Linda McKenna Boxx Michael D. Cheteyan, II Carrie S. Cox David G. DeLong* Steven G. Elliott Felix Fukui Stephen Guinn, Ph.D. Austin Hill Phipps Hoffstot William Kolano H. Lewis Lobdell Richard Longstreth Dennis McFadden Jack H. Millstein, Jr. Leslie Nutting Max Protetch Aldo Radoczy Toby Smith Alexander C. Speyer, III - Chairman Michael Strueber Marigil M. Walsh, ASID Joshua C. Whetzel, III *Emeritus Members 23800 Waterfront Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-288-2777 info@paconserve.org WaterLandLife.org "There in a beautiful forest was a solid, high rock-ledge rising beside a waterfall, and the natural thing seemed to be to cantilever the house from that rock-bank over the falling water. … I think you can hear the waterfall when you look at the design. …” - Frank Lloyd Wright, 1952 Experience Wright’s Genius Through Your Membership Did you know that your WPC or Friends of Fallingwater membership gives you free or reduced-price admission to Fallingwater? Check your membership card for details. A membership at the $125 giving level or higher also brings you the chance to visit other Wright-designed sites. As a Contributor member, you have free or reduced admission to sites including the Guggenheim Museum in New York City and three other newly inscribed World Heritage Sites across the country.* Be sure to take advantage of your membership benefits – visit Fallingwater and other participating Wright sites. Want to renew or upgrade your membership to get Wright-sites privileges? Call us at 1-866-564- 6972 to renew or upgrade your membership and learn more about your membership benefits. *Visit Fallingwater.org/give-membership for more information on the Frank Lloyd Wright National Reciprocal Sites Membership Program. Please note that Wright-sites privileges and terms vary from site to site. Next >