Carnegie Mellon’s student chapter of the Industrial Designers Society of America IDSA recently visited the Frank Lloyd Wright house Kentuck Knob, also known as the I. N. Hagan House. The home is located in the Laurel Highlands area of Pennsylvania, about 60 miles south of Carnegie Mellon’s campus.


IDSA Design students at Kentuck Knob

Kentuck Knob represents a refinement of the many principles of architecture that Frank Lloyd Wright explored throughout his long career but also a seldom seen compromise between Wright’s controlling nature and the Hagan’s desires for the home’s design. Today, the interior reflects the taste and personalities of the current owners, Lord and Lady Palumbo who are committed to preserve and maintain the house for the enjoyment of all those who, like them, share a deep admiration for Frank Lloyd Wright’s genius.

Consistent with Wright’s practice, the home is designed to blend in with its surroundings—a crescent-shaped home made from tidewater red cypress, glass, and native sandstone, and capped with a copper roof.


Photo of the residence

The home’s current owners, Lady and Lord Palumbo, purchased the residence in 1986 and installed several sculptures.


Ray Smith’s “Red Army” (1991) with students in the background

The field trip was organized by Carnegie Mellon’s student chapter of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) to provide design students an opportunity to directly experience Wright’s architecture and the numerous design classics in the house as well as to get students from different classes together and form stronger bonds between the design community.


Students enjoying the view of the Laurel Highlands

For more information about the IDSA student chapter at Carnegie Mellon, visit their page on the School of Design website or their blog .


Posted on Oct 17, 2008