PART 2 - A TRIP TO THE SOUTHWEST INCLUDED TOURING AN AMAZING WORK OF ARCHITECTURE BY THE GREATEST AMERICAN ARCHITECT - FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT.
We drove the quick 45 minutes to arrive at one of the most famous works of architecture in the United States by America's greatest architect - TALIESEN WEST, located just outside Scottsdale. This residential structure that also included Wright's studio had been on my Bucket List since I was a student in architecture school. In 1991 The American Institute of Architects recognized Frank Lloyd Wright as the greatest American Architect of all time.
This building has a unique history involving Frank Lloyd Wright and many students that apprenticed under Wright. According to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation - In the initial winters Wright and his students lived in tents while they built the first structures, mainly by hand using as much local material as possible (rocks, stone and sand). The design of the buildings complemented the natural Sonoran Desert landscape of the site.
Taliesin and Taliesin West are two homes, as well as architectural schools, of the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Originally built in 1911, Taliesin, located near Spring Green, Wisconsin was rebuilt after fires in 1914 and 1925. Taliesin West, near Scottsdale, Arizona, was begun in 1937 as a winter home for Wright and his students. Wright was of Welsh descent and named his homes after the Welsh bard Taliesin. Both structures were continually renovated and added to until Wright’s death in 1959, after which they continued to be occupied by members of the Wright Foundation. In 1985, in accordance with the will of Wright’s third wife, his remains were exhumed from their resting place in Spring Green and moved to Taliesin West.
Trying to describe Taliesen West in words is almost impossible. It's design of interior and exterior forms and spaces is so unique and diverse that only photos can tell the story. And seeing this masterwork of architectural design up close and personal is really the only way to appreciate the beauty, design and art encompassed in this extraordinary building.
A personal story I can share made our daytrip to this amazing set of structures one that I will never forget. As we sat on the front row of the Cabaret Auditorium listening to the docent describe the incredible space, which is partially below grade, where music was performed almost daily, he asked if anyone would like to play the piano. I raised my hand, and he said go ahead sir. I sat down and played, on the master architect's piano, one of my favorite songs I learned when I was much younger - SUMMERTIME. The joy of playing for a small group of visitors was, indeed, a pleasure beyond anything I could have imagined. Of course, they applauded when I finished. LOL!
In addition to the residence-studio, there are many small living structures built by students over the years on the 500-acre site that Wright bought for $3.50 an acre around 1937. That was indeed the good ole days! The tour of this extraordinary work of desert architecture belongs on every Vagabond's Bucket List.
Taliesen West Studio Buildings & Spaces
Student Designed & Built Shelters
Cabaret Theatre & Piano
If you want to view more photos just click - TALIESIN WEST PHOTOS . Who knows - it might even get you to plan a trip to see this completely unique place.
Next week, I will bring the final leg of our trip to Arizona. Tucson and one of the coolest resorts you could ever sleep in surrounded by the beautiful Sonoran Desert landscape of the Southwest.
Go West Vagabonds old & young!
D.L.Stafford
thenomadARCHITECT
“The mission of an architect is to help people understand how to make life more beautiful, the world a better one for living in, and to give reason, rhyme, and meaning to life.”Frank Lloyd Wright - 1957
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