Taliesin West – Scottsdale, Arizona
Architect Frank Lloyd Wright established this area in Arizona as his architectural community in 1937. This area was his home 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.
Frank Lloyd Wright and his wife, Olgivanna, created the area to promote the organic architecture that they aspired to make known. Frank Lloyd Wright is now recognized as one of the 20th century’s greatest architects, and possibly America’s greatest architect. In the years following Frank Lloyd Wright’s death, under the direction of Olgivanna Wright, the Fellowship began to solidify the education program which received acceptance as a viable alternative system for educating architects.
The Fellowship of the Foundation of Taliesin West) is a residential membership organization living at Taliesin consisting of staff members, many of whom worked directly with Mr. Wright and his wife Olgivanna, and young people — most of whom are apprentices planning to become registered architects, graduating from the fully accredited architectural studies program. They come from all over the world and are a vital force in the ongoing daily activities of our multi-facetted organization.
The requirements for joining the Wrights at Taliesin West were the interest in creating an environment of living that had the members learning architectural style, growing their own food, raising their own livestock and living with nature. It was difficult for many, expecially those not used to living and working in small groups, but the lessons learned affected the creations of these brilliant young minds for years to come and are still appreciated today.
After the death of Mr. Wright, his widow Olgivanna, together with the senior members of the Fellowship, continued and expanded the traditional responsibilities of the Fellowship – the upkeep of two extensive national landmark campuses, the School of Architecture, Taliesin Architects, the Archives, and the Visitor Program, later adding the Licensing Program and Outreach activities as well. As the original members of the Fellowship became the essential core and new members came on board, two classes of members developed through an evolutionary or organic process and the Fellowship evolved as a membership organization. All of these activities are on-going in this vital organization.
Location: 12621 Frank Lloyd Blvd., Scottsdale, Arizona
Phone: 480-860-2700
The site is closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Bring sunscreen and a hat for your protection. Toddlers either need to be in a stoller or carried, it’s too much for them to walk.
In case of bad weather the tours may be cancelled.
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