World renowned architect and educator Frank Lloyd Wright and his apprentices built a compound in Scottsdale, Arizona named Taliesin West. Established in 1937, Taliesin West is an architectural marvel dwelling in the heart of the desert. Taliesin was built as a winter home for Wright and his family which was also meant to inspire and educate future architects.
Today, Taliesin West still stands and continues to educate anyone interested in architecture and design. Take a moment to read about our experience touring Wright’s “Desert Laboratory” below to learn more about this popular attraction.
The Tour
Arrival and Check-in
Our adventure began with the drive to site on a bright and sunny afternoon. The GPS led us up a long and winding road for a few minutes. As we slowly drove up the road, we gazed at the landscape surrounding the laboratory. It was dry and sporadically littered with cacti (a normal view in Arizona). Eventually, the road ended at the parking lot and we easily found a parking space for the car.
We walked up the path and checked in at the kiosk. The staff member then gave us instructions on how to use our phones to login in and listen to the guided tour. As usual, my phone was acting goofy (no signal). Fortunately, they were able to provide me with a device and I was able to use it to listen to the tour.
Our Experience
The tour started at the entrance that was located between the kiosk and the parking lot. The moment the audio tour started, we were given some pretty interesting facts about the entrance design. According to the recording, every part of the design had a meaning. The location of signs, the placement of stones, the water features, etc… There was nothing there that wasn’t meant to be there. All features were there to serve a purpose. I was simply amazed at how much thought was put into the design of such a small area.
As we strolled along the path, our digital tour guide continued to explain each structure and the meaning behind its design. I was absolutely fascinated with the concept of compression and expansion that he used in his designs. Most of the buildings that we entered used this concept of small entrances that led into a wide open space. It was very cool.
Another impressive aspect of the design is how Wright and his apprentices worked hard to ensure that Taliesin fit into its environment. The concept of using local materials and creating a design that worked with the weather conditions and landscape of the Arizona desert was absolutely brilliant.
As we continued with the tour, we were able to witness how no stone was left unturned when it came to the design of Taliesin West. Wright and his team were able to think of how to survive living in extreme desert conditions by working with the materials he had at his disposal and learning as much as he could about the natural environment. While on tour we were able to witness how they incorporated these ideas into the design of the living quarters, his office space, the student workshop, and the structures where he entertained his guests.
The Gift Shop
Once the tour was over, I dropped off my listening device at the welcome kiosk and headed to the gift shop. The store was full of items which reflected Wright’s life and architectural style. It was filled with books, apparel, and a variety of art. After perusing the store, we walked back to the car and headed to our next destination.
The entire tour took approximately an hour and half. This included walking around, pausing the audio in order to soak up the sites, and time to take photos and videos.
Final Thoughts
Taliesin West is a delightful attraction to visit in Arizona. It not only provides information about Frank Lloyd Wright, but it also gives you a historical perspective of how his vision impacted the layout and design of Arizona and its landmarks. I definitely would recommend this site as a place to stop if you are visiting Arizona.
Here are a few tips to ensure you have a pleasant Taliesin West experience.
Tips
- Use the website to plan your visit. The website is full of information on how to plan your visit, prices, and what to expect.
- Purchase your tickets in advance. This will ensure you don’t have to wait and will be able to tour the facility on a day of your choosing.
- Bring Water. No matter what time of the year you tour this attraction, Arizona is dry and you are bound to get dehydrated.
- Wear sunscreen. This tour is predominately done outdoors and this area of Arizona is bright all year. Therefore, it is wise to wear some form of sunscreen or block while you are walking the grounds.
- Bring your headphones. If you chose to do the self guided audio tour, you will need to use your headphones on your device or theirs.
- Bring your phone. You will need your phone in order to connect to the website and tour info. If your device is unable to connect (like mine), you can use one of their devices. Just make sure you have your own set of headphones.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking on this tour. You want to be comfortable as you stroll the grounds.
- Wear sunglasses. Again, it is always bright and sunny here. There is a reason why they call it the “Valley of the Sun.”
