This past August, Modernism Week Chairman William Kopelk attended an intimate and inspiring gathering at one of modern architecture’s most iconic landmarks: Fallingwater. Nestled in the lush Pennsylvania woods, Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterwork for the prominent Kaufmann family served as the setting for Fallingwater Fireside with Raymond Richard Neutra, a salon-style event curated to spark conversation around architecture, design, and legacy.
“It was a brilliant way to maintain the salon atmosphere in a hallowed architectural environment,” Kopelk shared. “Knowing we were in the Kaufmann’s living room, in an atmosphere that was unmistakably iconic, was surreal.”
The Fireside series carries forward the spirit of discourse that once animated the very room where Albert Einstein, Walter Gropius, Frida Kahlo, Marcel Breuer, Philip Johnson, and Henry-Russell Hitchcock once gathered. “One of the most memorable moments was when Justin Gunther, Director of Fallingwater, listed the roster of people who had been part of previous salons,” said Kopelk. “It gave the event a tangible connection to architectural history.”
The evening’s featured guest, Raymond Neutra, son of legendary modernist Richard Neutra, echoed his family’s enduring values: socially and ecologically responsible design, driven by evidence and deeply rooted in nature. A quote shared by Edgar Kaufmann Jr. resonated deeply: “Fallingwater was created by Frank Lloyd Wright as a declaration that in nature man finds his spiritual as well as his physical energies.”
“It was a powerful alignment with the mission of Modernism Week,” said Kopelk. “We aim to celebrate and foster appreciation of good design, and also promote contemporary thinking around how architecture shapes the human experience.”
Kopelk was also quick to affirm the timeless relevance of modernist design. “It transcends trends and fashion,” he said. “Good design is good design. Events like these also reinforce the core of Modernism Week’s vision: showcasing the importance of architectural preservation, and illuminating the stories behind the buildings we revere.”
Looking ahead, Kopelk hopes future Fireside events will explore the full ecosystem that sustains architecture—from the designers and patrons to the preservationists and nonprofit partners who ensure sites like Fallingwater remain economically and culturally viable in the 21st century.
And perhaps the most exciting takeaway? “We ended up taking Raymond Neutra away to be the Modernism Week 2025 Keynote Speaker,” Kopelk revealed. “It felt like the perfect continuation of the conversation.”
As Modernism Week looks toward another year of celebrating design, heritage, and creative thought, Kopelk’s experience at Fallingwater reminds us why these gatherings matter: they connect the past to the present, spark meaningful dialogue, and inspire us all to keep asking—what comes next?
