Courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Fallingwater

Mill Run, Pennsylvania

Perhaps architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s greatest work, Fallingwater was voted by the American Institute of Architects to be the “best all-time work of American architecture”.

John Matteo served as Project Manager for Robert Silman Associates throughout the previous structural strengthening and has carried on preservation and concrete repair work at Fallingwater with Matteo Ferran Structural Engineers.

Parallel to the study of original construction drawings and documentation, a multi-faceted approach to investigation, employing non-destructive methods using impulse radar, metal detection, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and finite element structural modeling as well as a sustained program of monitoring using vibrating wire crack and tilt meters.

Like Wright’s innovative use of reinforced concrete in a residential construction of the 1930’s, the repair methods employed were equally atypical for a structure of this nature.  The strengthening design employed a combination of steel, stainless steel, and carbon fiber reinforcement, but is highlighted with the use of high-strength steel post-tensioning.

MFSE continues to provide structural engineering support for the preservation of Fallingwater.  Ongoing preservation efforts include foundation repairs to the main house, structural repair and cathodic protection of the 1936 bridge over Bear Run, structural repairs and selective rebuilding at the driveway trellis and covered bridge, and conservation work of historic dairy barn silo.

UNESCO World Heritage Site
National Historic Landmark   
National Register of Historic Places 
OWNER

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

SERVICES

Preservation

ROLE

Structural engineer of record

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Used with permission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

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George Peabody Library