Things to Do in Scottsdale
Reviews and photos of Scottsdale attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Scottsdale sightseeing.
Local Time 6:00 pm Friday, July 25, 2008
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Scottsdale Map
on June 1, 2008
The low, horizontal structure virtually disappears into its surroundings, as Wright must have planned it. Construction of Taliesin West began in 1937 with the actual building taking place over many years by apprentices who were a part of the resident Taliesin Fellowship.
The website states, "Taliesin West is the main campus of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. The buildings rest on 600 acres of preserved Sonoran Desert open space on the South foothills of the McDowell mountains with spectacular views of Scottsdale, Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun."
Taliesin West is quite a large conglomeration of building including room for drafting studios, classrooms, study rooms, the William Wesley Peters Library, and exhibition spaces. The tour I took covered much of the buildings where we saw large rooms theaters provide space for "theatrical performances, concerts, music and dance rehearsals, as well as space for videos, films, visiting lecturers, special events and formal dining." While I thought the rooms were not as warm and detailed as I had hoped to fine, I am sure that the presence of large groups of people add a different aspect and feel to the rooms. Uninhabited they felt spartan, cold and deathly quiet. However, some spaces open directly to the outdoors and nature.
As we were shown around the rest of the property, we learned that all students and many faculty live on campus. Buildings and garden courts are linked together by walkways and terraces and there were some interesting architectural fountains and nuances there.
First-year students are required to build their own shelter on the 600 acre property with a limited amount of materials and space. It was interesting to see the various designs used, as well as how the different materials were used---some were the most basic of shelters with virtually no structure, and others were more substantial and functionally built to insulate it not only from the heat, but also from the cold nights in the Sonoran desert. I believe the quarters had no electricity. I cannot remember all the details but I do remember thinking how ingenious the students were and how determined they must be to live in the makeshift housing for any length of time.
The Mission: T H E . F R A N K . L L O Y D . W R I G H T . A R C H I V E S
"The Frank Lloyd Wright Archives, headquartered at Taliesin West, was founded to preserve and perpetuate the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and to educate the public concerning his important and unique contribution to architecture."
For serious students of architecture and other admirers, Taliesin West is the resposity for 'The Archives,' the collection of Frank Lloyd Wright materials is vast: More than "20,000 original drawings, 190,000 documents of correspondence covering 1887-1959, approximately 600 original manuscripts, a large Oriental art collection, historic photographs of buildings and family, and related materials from books to articles. The Archives also preserves works of Mrs. Wright and of the Taliesin Fellowship..."
Taliesin West offers tours, and there is a nice shop with many types of books, souvenirs, and other interesting and architecturally-related materials offered. There is also a small cafe.
It's northern counterpart is "Taliesin East" in Green Spring, Wisconsin where many of the faculty and students move for the summer months.
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