Copper Falls

Copper Falls – A wooded retreat in the hills of Western Pennsylvania.

Inspired by his love of nature and his interest in the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, the owner set out to build his dream house.  Twelve months of design and planning, 15 months of construction, 20,000 square feet of copper, 650 tons of ledge rock, and one glass “creek bed” ramp later, and his dream had come true.

The setting for this residence was three-quarters to the top of a 50-acre wooded lot.  Private and secluded, the project would be completed with minimal removal of natural vegetation and/or trees.  The house itself consisted of a 5,100 square foot main floor, divided into 8 “pods”, an additional 1,300 square feet on the second floor, and a 5,100 square foot unfinished basement which is primarily mechanical, electrical, and storage.  A porte-cochere and covered walk lead to the 1,120 square foot garage.  The house is flanked on the south side (down-hill side) of the site by an enormous stone retaining wall, accented by planters and a waterfall from the “vanishing-edge” pool above.

The house’s structure consists of concrete foundations with masonry bearing walls.  At the first floor level, structural steel bearing on the masonry walls was erected.  The floor structure is a composite metal deck and concrete system.  The masonry bearing walls continue up to the second floor and roof.  Ninety percent of all of the interior walls are masonry bearing walls: two wythes of  8” concrete block with a  6” stone veneer on each side.

2007 Western PA Golden Trowel Award Grand Award & Best in Category

2007 MBA Builders Excellence Award Winner Projects Under $5 Million