‘Exploring Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unbuilt Projects and Architectural Stories in Southwest Pennsylvania’

A new exhibition titled “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania” opened on Saturday, April 13, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. This collaborative effort between The Westmoreland Museum of American Art and Fallingwater, guided by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, showcases Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural vision through both his realized and unrealized projects.

Curated by Scott W. Perkins and Jeremiah William McCarthy, experts in American art preservation and curation, the exhibition delves into Wright’s proposals from the 1930s through the 1950s and explores their potential impact on various landscapes. Noteworthy are animated reconstructions of five projects that were conceptualized but never executed, showcasing innovative designs such as a futuristic self-service garage at Kaufmann’s Department Store and the Point View Residences planned for the Edgar J. Kaufmann Charitable Trust.

Utilizing state-of-the-art three-dimensional rendering technologies, these animations by Skyline Ink Animators + Illustrators bring Wright’s unrealized ideas to life. A viewing theater complete with a specially composed musical score underscores Wright’s attention to detail, textures, and the interplay of light and shadow.

Aileen Fuchs, the president and executive director of the National Building Museum, expressed excitement for the exhibition, highlighting its alignment with the museum’s commitment to showcasing innovative works. The exhibit celebrates Wright’s architectural genius and invites visitors to explore the possibilities of his unrealized projects.

The exhibition also acknowledges Wright’s significant influence in Pittsburgh, initiated by Edgar J. Kaufmann, Sr., who introduced Wright to the city in 1934. This partnership, often in collaboration with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, aimed to address urban challenges and enhance the city’s cultural landscape.

“Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania” will run until March 17, 2025, with support from The Heinz Endowments, The Hillman Exhibition Fund of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, and various donors. Contributions from The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, The Museum of Modern Art, and the Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library at Columbia University further enrich the exhibition.

This exhibition serves as a tribute to Wright’s architectural legacy, blending historical context with contemporary technological displays to offer visitors an opportunity to appreciate the fusion of artistic expression and architectural innovation.