Between Silence and Light

Craft
The craft of Monticello and Fallingwater were both forms of exceptional architecture for their times. Monticello, as said by Young in studio, was the root of American architecture. It was the representation and illumination of American architecture at the time. The craft is also exceptional in how Thomas Jefferson invented and revolutionized some of the techniques he used. He invented some of the items in his house so well that some, such as the door hinges, are still intact and functional.

Fallingwater, being a more modern structure, is an excellent piece that can be focused on and studied in terms of craft. Frank Lloyd Wright was a highly respected designer in the Arts and Craft era. He differed from the main followers of this era in how he believed that all pieces should be handcrafted and that machines should not be used for mass production of items. He believed in handcrafted work which can be seen in Fallingwater. His craft was impeccable in this structure despite the mishaps that occurred while using the little studied materials of steel and concrete. Excellent craft can be seen in the patterning of the cantilevered stones in all of the exterior walls. Also in how all of the windows were designed to function in ways to influecen light as well as sound as demonstrated in one of the bedrooms.

Technique
Techniques used in Monticello and Fallingwater differed greatly due to the large gap in time between their contraction, as well as, the advancements of technology. Jefferson was he head of architectural technology of his time. He invented and improved upon techniques of architecture and incorporated them into Monticello. Jefferson used the materials that were given to them form the natural surroundings that were removed to create the space for his home. He uses different techniques to light his home because electricity did not exist at the time. He used skylights in the ceilings to give a greater amount of light. He also used mirror that were across the room to the windows to create reflections, extra lighting, and give the illusion that the room was larger than it really was.

Wright’s technique was different when designing and constructing Fallingwater. He incorporated the structure into the surrounding mountain and rock. He even had parts of the natural mountain inside of the structure. Wright’s technique of cantilevered roofing and balconies was new and interesting concept but still needed work. With little knowledge of the steel and concrete, the concrete sunk 10% when the supports were removed from under the roof and balconies. But, despite the mishaps, the techniques of Wright’s designs in Fallingwater were exclusive and innovated. Utilizing and conserving all of the given space.

Virtual
Virtual, the being able to experience something without being there, is a complicated word to apply to the opus in a few aspects we have focused on. Fallingwater has a few characteristics that can be viewed as virtual. Fallingwater, as a whole, is a structure that is of the mountain. This opens up the opportunities to allow the resident to fell as if they are living amongst nature even though they are inside. When going though the structure our guide told us that when opening the windows in one of the bedrooms it was as if one resident was sleeping right under the stars, this was a virtual experience. Another virtual aspect is the optical illusion in the guest house where the doorway acts as a mirror between the bedroom and living room.

Public/Private
Public and private can define a building and can give the resident peace of mind. In Monticello Jefferson paid close attention to the ways in which to hide the fact that he had slaves. He designed underground tunnels that connected the kitchen, which was not connected to the house, and the dining room inside of the house. He also had a revolving shelf area where the slaves the place food on one side, then spin the door, and the food would appear on the other side of the wall in the dining room where the Butler would then serve to guests. Jefferson also designed a way to receive wine from the celler though the use of a pulley system.

Jefferson's house was sectioned off into spaces where some were more public than others. He wanted the front room to be like a museum of sorts to exhibit the various Native American artifacts that were given to him. The room behind that was also a public space now it had many seating arrangements, games, a piano, paintings to be viewed, and an exit into the backyard.

The main idea of Fallingwater was the ideology of privacy. Wright designed to house because the family wanted a house that would allow them to escape the city of Pittsburgh. Wright uses techniques such as creating dark hallways to prevent guests from going into private areas and cantilevered roofing to create privacy. The idea of compression and release was a huge aspect of the house which goes along with private and public respectively.

Language
Monticello's language with its surroundings was defined by the use of the area round to create the structure. The clay was used to create the bricks and the trees that removed from the area are used to create the furnishings and other wooden products in the home.
Fallingwater’s language is a very strong one and considering how the structure was built into the mountain itself and the excavated standards used in the design of the outer walls and hallways.