Frank Lloyd Wright's House on Kentuck Knob

by Donald Hoffmann

This is the first thorough guide to the design and history of “Kentuck,” a splendid mountain house in southwestern Pennsylvania designed in 1953–1954 by Frank Lloyd Wright. Inspired by Fallingwater, the famous house only seven miles away that Wright designed above the waterfalls of Bear Run, local businessman I. N. Hagan and his wife, Bernardine, commissioned the 86-year-old Wright to design this home.

Kentuck, constructed on an isolated knoll, or knob, is now owned by Lord Palumbo of London and is open for public tours. This vivid account tells the story of how the house came to be, detailing the many complexities faced by the Hagans—from the delights and difficulties in dealing with Wright to the problems with topography and architectual plans. In fulfilling Wright’s vision, the Hagans and their contractor managed to construct a building of great beauty, dignity, and serenity.  More than fifty photographs, drawings, and diagrams accompany a detailed descriptive text to illustrate how the peculiarities of the plan, based on the equilateral triangle, resulted in a house that generates countless vistas, indoors and out, and spatial effects of great charm and intimacy.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s House on Kentuck Knob brings to life an unusual work of residential architecture. It is the perfect introduction to Kentuck, and for those who have visited there, a lovely reminder of this luminous but modest house.

Genres: Architecture

98 pages, Hardcover

First published May 18, 2000

Reviews

[Dana Keener · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to get this book and Mrs. Hagan’s at the same time, which allowed me to compare the two. I got these books after touring Kentuck Knob. I started with this one and found that it gave a lot of the same information as the tour. I was looking for more information and pictures from the build, especially of the basement. Mrs. Hagan’s book gave what I was looking for in terms of the history of the house. Thankfully my local library had both books. This one suffices if you can’t get Hagan’s book.

[Melissa Salsgiver · Rating 4 out of 5]

After visiting the site I wanted to have the docent's tour again. This book provided the information I was seeking along wth photos that followed the tour. Just what i was looking for.

[Robbie Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book and now I need to go back!!

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to read the Kentuck Knob book by Mrs. Hagan the original owner, but it is out of print and hard to find/costly. This was surprisingly informative for such a small book.

[University of Chicago Magazine]

Donald Hoffman, EX'53
Author

From our pages (Oct/00): "This monograph offers a guide to the house Wright conceived at age 86. Located in southwestern Pennsylvania, it is seven miles from his renowned 'Fallingwater' house."

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little overview of Kentuck Knob. It also has tons of photos, both interior and exterior.