Frank was Wright

Last month I stopped by Frank's place (aka Taliesin West). Designed in 1937-1959 by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West was his personal winter home, studio and architecture campus. But,in fact, it is more than that. It's also an art gallery and an enduring example of how to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces.


Nestled at the base of the Sonoran foothills of the McDowell Mountains in North Scottsdale, you won't notice the structures until you arrive. The buildings are designed to blend in with the natural environment. Stone from the immediate area was used in construction, as well as a color pallet that complements the desert environment. Indoors, natural lighting was used to brighten up rooms. Fireplaces warmed Frank and his guests in the winter, while expertly designed breezeways drew in cool air on hot days. Even the water is drawn from the site, from a aquifer located hundreds of feet below the ground.

But there is more to Taliesin West than its architecture -- there's its art. At every turn you will find statues made of stone or metal. Some stand alone, out in the open, while others are tucked into discreet corners of the property. Still others are grouped together so you can easily stroll among them and compare their artistic designs.

Today Taliesin West is maintained by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, which provides opportunities for the public to learn about Wright's work and the importance of architecture in our daily lives -- teaching us that you can improve your surroundings without damaging the environment. Sounds like Frank was ahead of his time, promoting environmental sustainability and green building practices.