subject: Taliesin West Home Design In The Desert Of Scottsdale [print this page] There are a number of reasons that Scottsdale, Arizona homes, land and real estate are so highly sought after by families. Heres one: theres so much to do, whether your lifestyle leans towards indoor luxuries or outdoor amenities.
For example, internationally renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright came to Scottsdale in 1937 and purchased what was then barren real estate. Designed as his personal winter home, studio and architectural campus, he built Taliesin West in the lush high Sonoran desert directly in the shadows of the McDowell Mountains in northeast Scottsdale.
Wright created a new form of architecture and established a legacy that still draws visitors from all over the world to Taliesin West, which is a living laboratory of Wright's ideas. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has made many renovations to Taliesin West over the years, giving guests the opportunity to view Wright's private home which has been restored inside and out to its original appearance.
Ranging from one to three hours, tours of Taliesin West are offered on a regular basis, allowing visitors to experience firsthand Wrights heralded ability to integrate indoor and outdoor living spaces. Depending on the tour you select, you can visit the Cabaret Theater, Music Pavilion, Kiva and Frank Lloyd Wrights office, all of which are linked by dramatic terraces, gardens and walkways overlooking the rugged desert and the valley below. Knowledgeable guides explain how the site relates to the surrounding desert real estate and provide a general overview of Wrights philosophies and theories of design. Twilight tours are offered during select months, providing sightseers with the extraordinary opportunity to view Wrights one-time home in a nighttime setting when the desert masonry structures, lighted from within, appear as sculptures.
According to the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, Wright's vision and influence are seen throughout Scottsdale, including at one of Scottsdale's premier resort properties, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa. This luxurious resort enjoys a history filled with Hollywood celebrities as well as an architectural past linked to the Wright legacy. Representing the cosmopolitan side of Scottsdale with its clean lines and minimalist approach, the property was originally designed by architect Hiram Hudson Benedict, a protge of Wright. What makes it even more unique is the fact that several stunning private homes are snuggled just steps away from the resorts front doors.
Vernon Swaback, a former student of Wright's, also has left an indelible mark on Scottsdale's real estate landscape. He spent more than two decades studying and working at Taliesin West and over the years has been involved in the design of award-winning hotels, office buildings, recreational facilities and custom homes throughout the Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Phoenix metropolitan area.
