Taliesin West

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Taliesin West
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
Location: Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
Built/Founded: 1937
Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
Designated as NHL: May 20, 1982[1]
Added to NRHP: February 12, 1974[2]
NRHP Reference#: 74000457[3]
Governing body: Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation[4]

Taliesin West was architect Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school in the desert from 1937 until his death in 1959 at the age of 91. Today, it houses the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, a school for architects, and is open to the public for tours. It is located on Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale, Arizona in the United States. His summer home, Taliesin, is in Spring Green, Wisconsin.

Contents

[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.[5]

The structure was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1982.[1][6][7]

[edit] In popular culture

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

[edit] Gallery

Frank Lloyd Wright office (left), main studio (right)
Frank Lloyd Wright office (left), main studio (right)
Main studio and sunken garden
Main studio and sunken garden
The Garden Room
The Garden Room
Enclosed garden
Enclosed garden
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[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Taliesin West. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
  2. ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
  3. ^ Red Book Writeup
  4. ^ NHL Writeup
  5. ^ NHL Summary
  6. ^ ["Taliesin West", February 12, 1982, by James H. CharletonPDF (1.17 MiB) National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination]. National Park Service (19).
  7. ^ [Taliesin West--Accompanying 9 photos, exterior and interior, from 1956, 1980, and undated.PDF (1.71 MiB) National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination]. National Park Service (19).

[edit] External links

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