Frank Lloyd Wright is considered the greatest American architect of all time. A pioneer of organic architecture, which was inspired by the landscape of Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. Four of his homes can be found in the area, each capturing the beautiful natural landscapes surrounding its architecture.
Wright’s masterpiece, Fallingwater is considered one of the most renowned residences in the world. Now a World UNESCO Heritage Site it is operated by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. This year marks the 60th anniversary since the property opened up to public and the house will has just opened after it’s winter preservation work finished on 15th March.
Just seven miles southwest of Fallingwater and high atop a bluff overlooking the Youghiogheny River Gorge stands another Wright masterpiece in Kentuck Knob, which is an extraordinary interpretation of Wright’s Usonian ideals, with its organic floor plan, cantilevered overhangs, and great expanses of glass. The 2024 visitor season started this week, with the house open for visitors daily, until November 2nd.
Located less than 30 miles from Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, Polymath Park features two houses designed by Wright, the Duncan house and Mäntylä that were constructed in the Midwest and relocated to the Laurel Highlands, as well the Balter and Blum houses that were built on the Westmoreland County property and designed by Wright apprentice Peter Berndston.
Unique visitor experiences include “destination dining” in TreeHouse dining pods or at TreeTops Restaurant at Polymath Park, or you can even stay overnight at a Wright house as all four of the homes are available for daily rentals, prices start from: Duncan $675 per night, Mäntylä $825 per night, Balter $475 per night, Blum $475 per night.
To further explore the working life of Frank Lloyd Wright, you can walk through his office, which is now a museum located within a specially designed building in Erie. The office is featured in the list of the public Wright sites around the world. Click here to read more.
For more reasons to visit Pennsylvania, check out visitPA.com.
