Kentuck Knob is like a summer peach warm and sweet. Of all the Frank Lloyd Wright houses I have seen, this is the most beautiful, the most livable, and the most solidly built. Constructed in 1953 for the Hagan family of nearby Uniontown, it is a stunning piece of organic architecture, designed by Wright at the age of 86. The great virtuousity and skill he had developed over a lifetime of designing with nature is expressed wonderfully in this modest sized home, now owned by Lord Peter Palumbo of Great Britain. It has only been open to the public for the last few years, and is well worth more than one visit. And with Fallingwater nearby, this is the only place in the country where one can see two organic Wright houses just minutes apart.

The house is placed high on a knob above the Youghigheny River Valley overlooking Laurel Ridge and Ohiopyle State Park. As was the case with Fallingwater, Wright was excited by the natural dyanamics of the setting, which were simply not a part of his beloved prairie landscapes, where he designed and built the great majority of his buildings. With its long low lines and stone exterior walls, the house seems to almost grow out of the ground.

Not only is Kentuck Knob an aesthetic delight, it also is a fine example of the use of natural building materials. The house is built entirely of stone, wood, and metal, without the use of any paints, plastics, or carpets.

One can wander the paths of the 70-acre property and enjoy Lord Palumbos sculpture collection, which is set amidst the forests around the house and in a large field known as The Meadow. Make a point of seeing Andy Goldworthys earthwork sculpture, a circular outdoor room made of stones picked from the woods.

Tours last about an hour. The house and grounds are open Tuesday-Sunday all year, 10 am to 4 pm. Reservations are suggested. Phone 724-329-1901. Admission fee.

Top of page - A wintertime panoramic view of the front of the house, with the carport on the left, the entry in the middle, and the living room on the right. With walls of stone, cypress trim, and a copper roof, the house is built like a tank. Above - A guided tour group gathers on the porch off the back of the living room.

Above Right - The stone wall and patio flow through these handmade wooden doors through the dining area of the house, creating a beautiful connection between the interior and exterior of the home. The south-facing windows to the left bring in natural light as well as solar heating in wintertime.