December 9, 2022

TALIESIN WEST

12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259

“Taliesin West was architect Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and studio in the desert from 1937 until his death in 1959 at the age of 91. Today it is the headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Open to the public for tours, Taliesin West is located on Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale, Arizona.” - Wikipedia

My visit to Taliesin West did not disappoint. The designs of Wright fascinate me, though I’m not sure how practical some of them are. His philosophies are intriguing. Taliesin West was Wright’s winter residence and also the winter home of his school. Wright’s teaching philosophy was described as teaching by doing. As an example, before his students designed kitchens they had to work in one. The students not only helped design Taliesin West, but also built the structures from scratch while living in tents on the grounds.

Wright found some petroglyphs in the hills around his property and had one of them incorporated into the designs around the property. The buildings on the grounds included his office, his residence, a drafting room, and entertainment spaces for the students. The guided tour allowed us to experience all of these spaces. Unlike tours of other Wright-designed properties, visitors were encouraged to sit on the furniture to truly experience Wright’s designs. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of anecdotal information.

As with other Wright properties I’ve visited, I left wanting to know more about the man and see more of his work.

Petroglyphs that Wright found on his property. He moved them to accent his property (this was before laws about disturbing them). The second drawing from the left on the bottom stone can be seen incorporated into the buildings' designs.

Petroglyphs that Wright found on his property. He moved them to accent his property (this was before laws about disturbing them). The second drawing from the left on the bottom stone can be seen incorporated into the buildings' designs.

Behind the gentleman is the entryway to Wright's Office. One of his design philosophies was to use low ceilings and narrow passages to move people to the places he wanted them.

Behind the gentleman is the entryway to Wright's Office. One of his design philosophies was to use low ceilings and narrow passages to move people to the places he wanted them.

Wright's office. The ceiling is made of canvas. Wright like the way it diffused the light. One problem (that is still present today), they are not water proof.

Wright's office. The ceiling is made of canvas. Wright like the way it diffused the light. One problem (that is still present today), they are not water proof.

Part of the garden and promenade.

Part of the garden and promenade.

Example of the petroglyph design element along the drafting room.

Example of the petroglyph design element along the drafting room.

The shape of the pool was taken from the shape of the hills behind the house. The pool was not for swimming, but provided some cooling as the breezes swept over it at night.

The shape of the pool was taken from the shape of the hills behind the house. The pool was not for swimming, but provided some cooling as the breezes swept over it at night.

The view Wright enjoyed (minus the electric wires).

The view Wright enjoyed (minus the electric wires).

A panoramic view of the main building. The drafting room is on the left, kitchen/dining area in the middle, and Wright's residence on the right.

A panoramic view of the main building. The drafting room is on the left, kitchen/dining area in the middle, and Wright's residence on the right.

Around the property one found these Chinese vignettes. Wright found them in San Francisco and used them around the property to note the passage into a different area of the property.

Around the property one found these Chinese vignettes. Wright found them in San Francisco and used them around the property to note the passage into a different area of the property.

The canvas roof over the living quarters.

The canvas roof over the living quarters.

Wright was famous for hiding the front entrance. It wasn't easy to see until it was pointed out.

Wright was famous for hiding the front entrance. It wasn't easy to see until it was pointed out.

Again, Wright used the low ceiling and narrow passage to guide people from the front door into the parlor.

Again, Wright used the low ceiling and narrow passage to guide people from the front door into the parlor.

The parlor was spacious and open, but had distinctive areas as well.

The parlor was spacious and open, but had distinctive areas as well.

Wright (and his students) designed everything, including furniture. The placement of art was also a part of Wright's design.

Wright (and his students) designed everything, including furniture. The placement of art was also a part of Wright's design.

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Taliesin West was first designed as a camp with canvas roofs and no window glass. His wife finally convinced him to install glass, however, Wright stubborn belief of the flawlessness of his design meant the students who were installing the glass cou

Taliesin West was first designed as a camp with canvas roofs and no window glass. His wife finally convinced him to install glass, however, Wright stubborn belief of the flawlessness of his design meant the students who were installing the glass could not move the pottery, therefore, in two places holes were cut into the glass panes so as to not disturb the pottery.

A bust of Frank Lloyd Wright.

A bust of Frank Lloyd Wright.

A studio off the parlor

A studio off the parlor

Wright's bedroom. Notice the board between the two beds, this was because Wright liked to get up in the middle of the night to work. The board was used so he did not disturb his wife.

Wright's bedroom. Notice the board between the two beds, this was because Wright liked to get up in the middle of the night to work. The board was used so he did not disturb his wife.

Wright's bedroom desk.

Wright's bedroom desk.

Brushed aluminum was a new material when the residence was built. Wright experimented with it in his bathroom.

Brushed aluminum was a new material when the residence was built. Wright experimented with it in his bathroom.

Wright's third wife's room.

Wright's third wife's room.

The bell tower over the dining room.

The bell tower over the dining room.

The original entertainment space for the students. They showed movies, etc. The space grew too small and a new "auditorium" was built.

The original entertainment space for the students. They showed movies, etc. The space grew too small and a new "auditorium" was built.

Half of the drafting room.

Half of the drafting room.

A blueprint drawing of Taliesin West.

A blueprint drawing of Taliesin West.

A drawing of the Guggenheim Museum

A drawing of the Guggenheim Museum

A narrow passage way leading to the auditorium.

A narrow passage way leading to the auditorium.

The auditorium

The auditorium

Some of the furniture in the auditorium.

Some of the furniture in the auditorium.

A fountain near the front gate.

A fountain near the front gate.