It has been noted that in recent years (past few decades) the structural integrity of Falling Water has been compromised during the years. I own a book about Frank Lloyd Wrights work and they discuss several issues dating from the very beginning that can be related to structure, environmental and locational components. I know I have read, through the years, of various private and state (maybe national) architectural conservatories wanting to be involved in the preservation process. The house was built in 1935, surprising considering the modernity and style. I found a little wikipedia blurb to support this statement:
“Fallingwater’s structural system includes a series of very bold reinforced concrete cantilevered balconies; however, the house had problems from the beginning. Pronounced deflection of the concrete cantilevers was noticed as soon as formwork was removed at the construction stage.[16]
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy conducted an intensive program to preserve and restore Fallingwater. From 1988, a New York City-based architecture and engineering firm was responsible for the materials conservation of Fallingwater. During this time the firm reviewed original construction documents and subsequent repair reports; evaluated conditions and probes; analyzed select materials; designed the re-roofing and re-waterproofing of roofs and terraces; specified the restoration for original steel casement windows and doors; reconstructed failed concrete reconstructions; restored the masonry; analyzed interior paint finishes; specified interior paint removal methods and re-painting; designed repair methods for concrete and stucco; and developed a new coating system for the concrete.
Given the humid environment directly over running water, mold had proven a problem. The elder Kaufmann called Fallingwater “a seven-bucket building” for its leaks, and nicknamed it “Rising Mildew”.[17] Condensation under roofing membranes was also an issue, due to the lack ofdamp proofing or thermal breaks.[18]”
