Last week, I was able to tour his school, Taliesin West, in Scottsdale.
Yes, he may have been the most womanizing, conceited architect ever, which could possibly sway your opinion of him towards a more negative light. However, the man did earn at least a few bragging rights.
To be the one to coin and design "organic architecture", open a radical architecture school, completed over 500 designs and branched out into designing furniture, he deserves at least a little nod of respect from those who don't care for his "private" life.
While I am not much of a fan of his aesthetic, his philosophy is honorable. His philosophy and rules of design as an architect is to ultimately promote harmony between human habitation and the natural world. His designs are a tight integration of building, furnishings and surroundings. He believed a rocky cliff should become a wall, the stone masonry should be of locally gathered stones, the light should be natural- He believed there should be no harsh, distinct barrier between a building and nature.
[It's not a great picture, but see how the window allows you to see to the outer wall created by rock? Brilliant and beautiful.]
[This was his oasis in the middle of the desert. When confronted by his students about having a water oasis in the middle of the desert (not a natural element), he simply told them he was allowed to do whatever the hell he wanted. Besides, it's a beautiful oasis.]
As a new architect student freshly arrived at Taliesin West, you are given a selection of materials to build your own dwelling that you must live in for the first 3 months of your education- no matter what the weather. And in Phoenix, I can't imagine that is a whole lot of fun. The students are forced to live in the natural elements so they can learn from them, be inspired by them, and then create with them. Awesome.
[The drafting room. Where the genius goes down.]
[The outside of the famous living room. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, so the outside will have to do.]
Plus, he had a black tie cocktail party and dinner every Saturday night for his students followed by a movie in her perfectly acoustic theatre! I guess it was to make up for the harsh living conditions for the first few months...
If our buildings allowed for more of a direct and visual connection to our surroundings and nature, maybe we would take a little better care of our planet...
[Touring this home is now added to my bucket list: Fallingwater, Pennsylvania.]
[My personal favorite is the top one.]
Kali, My neighbor, when I was living at The Pointe Tapatio, grew up at Taliesin West and Spring Green, Wisconsin which was Wright's summer home. Her mom was a weaver for Wright and her dad an architect. She took my dad, drew and I for a day long tour back in the late 80's. We hung out and ate dinner with the "family". That is anyone living & working at Taliesin at the time. It was fascinating and the people were an eclectic bunch as you can imagine. My bucket list is getting shorter as the years go by since I can check off quite a few places I've already been. Thanks for sharing. Your post brought back fond memories. Lynn
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