|
|
| Tel: +61 423 601 604 - Email: architect@andrewtboyne.com |
|
ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE 1949 - Ford Residence 1955 - Bavinger Residence 1956 - Frank Residence 1976 - Taylor Alterations 1961 - Prairie Chicken House ???? - House at Manypeaks WALTER BURLEY GRIFFIN 1911 - Comstock House I 1898 - Home and studio 1908 - Unity Temple 1910 - Robie House 1911-1925 - Taliesin East 1934 - Fallingwater 1937 - Taliesin West 1939 - Johnson Wax 1956 - Annunciation Church 1956 - Kentuck Knob 1956 - Price Tower |
|
|
|
|
||
|
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
|
||
|
The Hagan Residence, which is also known as
Kentuck Knob, was conceived by Wright without him ever having visited
the site. He was however familiar with the area as the Kaufmann
Residence (Falling Water) is located just 7 miles away. The house is
nestled into the top of a hill that has sweeping views over the
mountainous Pennsylvania countryside. Unfortunately these views are now
obscured by trees which were planted around the crown of the hill to
provide protection from the wind. The house is built on a hexagonal grid pattern that is anchored by a large hexagonal kitchen enclosed in stone. Although technically a Usonian house, Kentuck Knob has larger proportions and plusher finishes than the many other Usonian houses produced by Wright’s studio. The slate floors are beautiful, the stone work is stunning, and the wood work is immaculate. A sense of enclosure is gained by the dropped boarder ceiling, yet the low ceiling expands out into the environment as if there is no barrier between inside and out. Hexagonal punctures in the eaves help bring light into the house, but also help to dissolve the edge of the building. One of my favourite elements is the frameless glass at the end of the main living space (located between the two stone masses under the ceiling in the featured photograph). This glass is cut into the stone work and manages to blur the definition between inside and out. Kentuck Knob can be so humble and delicate; blending in with its site, even to the point where it effectively disappears into the hill. Even when the building appears strong and proud, such as where the porch extends to form the high retaining prow shown in the featured photograph, there is a subtle beauty to it. I feel Kentuck Knob shares this subtlety and delicateness with the forests of Pennsylvania. It is a house that is comfortable with its environment and is very comfortable to be in. |
