Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesen West in Scottsdale, Arizona

Eric and I visit houses and businesses designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright as we drive around the U.S.:  Wright-designed homes and The Park Inn in Mason City, Iowa; The Guggenheim Museum in New York City; and most recently the Dana-Thomas House in Springfield, Illinois.

Today we are visiting Taliesin
West, Wright's winter home
& School of Architecture.

Taliesin is a Welsh word meaning "shining brow."  Wright used this as a guiding principle in his "organic" architecture.  Homes were designed to fit in and complement their surroundings, not to dominate a landscape.

Wintering in the Southwest became essential for the aging Architect to maintain his health.  In 1937 Wright bought 500 acres here for $1,250.00 ($2.50 per acre).   A well was drilled and early lighting must have included kerosene lamps and candles as it took 14 years to get electric service 25 miles from Phoenix.

The School of Architecture &

surrounding buildings "hug"

the surrounding terrain.

The rooflines remind me of
the McDowell Mountains
that "frame" the property.

 Eric and I join a tour group,
 led by Peter, through the
complex of buildings. 

The buildings are constructed
with cement & local stones.







The Apprentices, male and female, mixed the cement and placed the local rocks to show off their various shapes and colors.

A look back through the door to

Wright's Office.

It's about 6 feet in height because

 the Architect didn't believe in

 grand entrances, with space

 for people to loiter.

The white roof was originally canvas, like the tents that Wright and his Apprentices lived in during their first winters on this property.

The windows were added
for his wife, Olgivanna
(third wife).

She was tired of bugs &
dirt wafting through
the buildings.

Wright's display table &

the last project he

conceived.

This is one of the many

fireplaces in the buildings.

Desert nights can be
cold.

The Classrooms are on

the right.

Different levels mimic

the rising terrain.

Actor Anthony Quinn studied here before he began his acting career.  

Ancient Petroglyphs
were found during
construction.






This historical connection to the region's past is prominently displayed.

Wooden "Buttresses" & the

white roof accent the

Classrooms.

The pool is lovely & is a
water source, in case
of fire.






Wright's home in Wisconsin burnt twice and he took steps to create water sources close to buildings on the property.

                   The view is beautiful!  Decades ago there were no powerlines in the distance.

We walk towards the Wrights'

home.

A lover of Asian, & in
particular Japanese Art,
Wright decorated the
property with inexpensive
artwork purchased in
China Town.

The red plaque has the
Architect's initials.





He didn't want to expose his expensive pieces of art to the heat, cold, blowing dirt and dust of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Visitors to the Wright Home

enter by way of a short,

narrow corridor.

Members of the tour group
find seats in the Wrights'
large open Living Room.

The high ceiling gives the room an expansive feel.

Eric sits in a chair designed

by the Architect.

The furniture in this corner
of the large room was
purchased by Olgivanna
because she was uncomfortable
in her husband's chairs.

The Piano provided music

for parties.

An intimate Sitting Room

Peter shows us Wright's

office/bedroom.

The fireplace provides heat &

has hooks for cooking pots.

Wright worked long hours &

would have food brought in.

Frank & Olgivanna's

bed

The aluminum-walled
bathroom is way ahead
of its time.

Looking out onto the

courtyard...

The "hole in the wall" leads
to the Wrights' daughter
Iovanna's room.

Eric looks up at a Dragon.

Wright obviously enjoyed

adding Asian accents

to his home.

The room on the left is the
Student Dining Area.

Visitors take in details in

the Movie Room.

This former storage room
was transformed for
viewing films.











Wright's favorite film: Stagecoach
Wright's favorite actress: Anne Baxter, his Granddaughter

We approach the theater.

Every seat in the house is
a good one.

Olgivanna, a writer, dancer,
 & composer staged

productions here with

the Apprentices.

Visitors pass The Buddha as
they enter the Night Club.

This entertainment space was

inspired by the Wrights' visits

to German Night Clubs.

Guests enjoyed Dinner
Theater in this space.

The acoustics are fabulous!

I admire the Bell with Chinese

ornamentation as we leave

Taliesin West.

A final look at Frank Lloyd
Wright's desert home &
School of Architecture.






His work is preserved and celebrated.  Taliesin West is on the National Register of Historic Places and a UNICEF World Heritage Site.