Saving Fallingwater tells the story of the architects, engineers, and historians who rescued Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece. From the discovery of serious structural flaws, the search for the best repair strategy, and the race to complete the work before the structure failed, the film details the complex restoration process. Includes exclusive footage, in depth interviews, computer animation, and historical documentation.
54 minutes
Fascinating Film
I was in Pittsburgh last week for the National Trust's annual conference - great downtown and its still very real and not a faux-city of glitz.
I also had the opportunity of visiting Fallingwater. The house with its sense of place is remarkable. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is to be highly commended for its careful stewardship of this world-class historic property.
After visiting the house, I was able to see the new film "Saving Fallingwater". The film really brought home to me how unique Fallingwater is and how it was once under some great risk. The story told in the film is rather complex, but very well laid out in the chronology including so many of the various people involved with Fallingwater's original creation and its recent restoration. The director captured the essence of Wright - brilliant and arrogant; Kaufmann as the enlightened patron; years of repairs trying to mend Wright's creation; the graduate student from University of Virginia who played a key role as the "barking dog"; and then the search for an engineering solution which would preserve the character of Wright's original design intent.
Fallingwater and its recent rescue present a fascinating story. I am glad that it was captured on film.
Letter to the editor – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette