Taliesin West

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Taliesin West was architect Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school in the desert in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, from 1937 until his death in 1959 at the age of 91.

Contents 1 Design principles 2 History 3 Trivia 4 Additional images 5 External links

[edit] Design principles

The design was an organic response to a combination of driving factors:

• the rugged nature of the talus-sloped mountain site, from which Wright plucked the sand, gravel, and stone used as basic construction materials
• the mild winter climate, which permitted natural lighting through a tent-like roof of redwood and canvas
• the necessity of housing a community of staff and students

[edit] History

During his lifetime, Wright continually altered and added to the complex of buildings, all of which were constructed by students.

Many of Wright's most famous buildings were designed in the drafting room at Taliesin West, including the Guggenheim Museum in New York City and Grady Gammage Auditorium at Arizona State University in Tempe.

Taliesin West continues as the headquarters of The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and as the winter home for the School of Architecture. Restoration work to the private quarters of Mr. and Mrs. Wright was completed in 2004, and tours of the home and school are conducted on a regular basis.

The structure was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1982.

[edit] Trivia

Taliesin West is featured as a site of events in Dan Simmons' science fiction novel, The Rise of Endymion.

[edit] Additional images

Taliesin West Panorama from the "bow" looking at the "ship"

[edit] External links

• Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona. 1937
• Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation established at Taliesin West
• National Historic Landmarks Program - Taliesin West