As we thought about what next steps I remembered that Taliesin West was actually out in the Scottsdale desert and I had never seen it.
Taliesin West is a most interesting part of FLW's story.... in 1930's, with his 3 piece suit and at 70 years of age, he picked a place literally in the desert on the brow of a mountainous hill far from any services at the time, which were scanty at best and with his small army of apprentices from all over the world and 37 vehicles of supplies he carved out a masterpiece in the desert called Taliesin West. He was tired of cold Wisconsin winters and fell in love with the desert landscape environment of Arizona. He experimented and created a most incredible community and home. It still to this day attracts architects to its' offices hoping to further his philosophy of "Organic Architecture" which he is a pioneer of and as recently recognized continues to further his reach on how design should continue to shape the way people live.
We had a little time to kill before the tour so we immersed ourselves in the book store where we learned alot. An amazing talent that really did change the way Americans and others live their lives. If you ever have had a "great room" in your home, you can thank him for that design.... Who doesn't now?
He did things here that were unbelievable.....He used all the natural resources to build Taliesin West, and we got to tour it, touch it and sit in many of its rooms for a couple of hours. Here are some pics because it is hard to describe. You just have to experience it first hand
The square red box symbol showing intersecting lines in this picture is the brand logo for Taliesin West. It as taken from an actual indian petroglyph that is still on the property signifying hands clasping. It was so cool to see the original stone:
There is something quite extraordinary when you make the physical transition from the outside into the inside of one of his structures or rooms. There is instant calm, perfect lighting, a sense of openness and even if there are 20 people in the room, it feels as if you could fit more....
He is a master of light and geometry among other talents. Those two, in particular, are constantly at play. He uses triangles everywhere, especially in places where the light will cast interesting shadows to cause interest and reflection. He does this everywhere.....
He mirrors the slant of a roof line with that of the backdrop of hills and plays with many interesting angles, even fireplaces in almost every room.
Everything about Taliesin West makes you want to linger, and not go..... I felt similarly at Macchu Pichu, Borobodur, Mont St. Michel or Iguacu Falls. Places where time seems to stop and the majesty and magic of nature combined with structure is perfect.
How cool that there are 7 more now to see on this world heritage tour. In a coming day, I will see the "one" that has been in my imagination forever -- Fallingwater. The anticipation is growing, and I get pretty excited just thinking that it is within grasp like never before. Surely I am blest....!
I wonder what Gibran would have written had he hung out here for a while... makes me wonder, mostly it makes me smile. Being there has inspired me to write, and I can't even write very well.... imagine what it did for these enthusiastic aspiring architects...! Wow, it must have been amazing to hear FLW teach as they ate dinner at 'camp' as he called it.
McKenna, we made a great memory together no? : ) I will never forget...!
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