Day 8,030: An experience in Architecture at MoMA
A few days ago, I became a member of MoMA and spent about four hours touring the museum for the first time. It was amazing seeing famous works by Picasso, Mirรณ, and Matisse in the flesh-- something about seeing (or feeling?) the depth of the paint on canvas totally changes the experience. But of all the beautiful and fascinating art pieces and sculptures, one particular exhibit, hidden in the back area of the Architecture section, keeps coming back to me. I keep thinking about it every day.
I was walking through the architecture section, looking at the strange landscapes and odd "artfully constructed" home models on display. Then I looked up and saw the most beautiful structure I have ever seen. I'd like to think that is an exaggeration, but it's not. What I was looking at was a model of a home built into the side of a mountain on top of a waterfall. With huge, out-reaching decks and large windows pointing into the wilderness, it looks like the perfect, most serene environment. For ten minutes, I stared. I want this house.
I don't think this photograph does the home justice. From further away, you can see the waterfall is fed by a natural river running under the house and there is a stairway leading to a platform levitating slightly above the water. Can you imagine how fucking amazing it would be to wake up in the morning and look at the window of your house and see a waterfall like this?
The interior is also amazing:
I probably stared at the model for ten minutes. Then walked over to a white a placard on the table nearby. It said:
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
Fallingwater: The Edgar J. Kaufmann House, 1934-7
Apparently, it's quite famous, but I had never seen or heard of Falling water before. Quite the masterpiece.
Edit (added 1:54PM EST):
Apparently this home "partly inspired" Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead, which I am coincidentally in the middle of reading. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallingwater
4 comments
Apr 16, 2009
Jon Davis said...
that house is freakin' amazing. You might dig this house, it's my dream house/view - http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/5660/hiroshi-nakamura-and-nap-architects-house-c.html
May 18, 2009
Ismael Burciaga said...
I would totally buy that house in a heart beat if i had the money :)
May 31, 2009
Ben Weeks said...
There's a documentary about Frank Lloyd Wright. The fellow wanted a house from Frank. So Frank asked him, what's your favorite place on the property? "We like having picnics on a rock by the waterfall." Frank had his students survey the entire site. Every rock every tree. He looked at the results. Months passed. Frank didn't draw anything. One day the client called saying he was in the area and could come by in 3 hours. Frank said, "Great, looking forward to seeing you. We've been waiting for you." He started drawing. By the time the client arrived, the entire house was drawn. All the elevations. Boom. Done.
Jun 01, 2009
RKB said...
Not even close to the same thing as owning the actual house, but in August you can order a Lego model ...
