Rambling RV Rat: A Visit to Taliesin West, Winter Home/Studio of Frank Lloyd Wright

We visit the Phoenix area at least once during our Quartzsite stay each year. We kept our tradition in 2025 by attending our third DRV Mobile Suites Owners group luncheon. We saw some fellow owners we met in prior years, we were introduced to some new folks, and we were able to put a face to the name of one with whom we have been Facebook friends but never met in person. Good food, good service, and fun times.

Those who read this blog somewhat regularly (and we know my Aunt Laurie ain't one of them!) may remember we are admirers of the architectural works of Frank Lloyd Wright, having toured 7 of his structures throughout the Country. So, we were excited to add Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona, as our 8th F. L. Wright design.

Wright’s main home was in Wisconsin and was known as “Taliesin.” After coming to Scottsdale in 1927 to consult on a project, he decided to become a “snowbird”. In 1937, he acquired these lands in Scottsdale and subsequently built his winter home and studio, which he named “Taliesin West.” He, along with his wife and his apprentices, wintered here each year until his death in 1959 at age 91. “Taliesin” is a Welsh word that means “brow”, and Wright integrated the “brow” concept into his design. He built Taliesin West on the brow of the land so that the desert landscape framed the building like our eyebrows frame our faces. Wright’s trademark cantilever roofing and compress/release architectural elements are very evident in this design. His usage of local, natural building materials facilitated his philosophy of "organic architecture". All the buildings are positioned at a 15-degree angle. This was to maximize morning light and enable passive heating.

But Taliesin West took some time to evolve into what we see today. Originally, Wright and his wife stayed at a nearby inn, and the apprentices camped out in tents on the property. There was no running water, no phone service, no heat. Most of the structures were temporary and rudimentary. Wright had a “hands on” approach with his apprentices. He believed that knowledge of construction was as important as design. Together they built this masterpiece, rising like a phoenix from barren desert lands.

Today Taliesin West serves as the headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and still offers educational programs.

With the majestic McDowell Mountains in the background, Taliesin West is truly magnificent and my personal favorite thus far of the 8 F. L. Wright structures we have seen. It is most deserving of its designations as a National Historic Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. And it receives the highest honor and achievement of them all: A coveted Rambling RV Rat 5-cheese award!

These stones at Taliesin West contain petroglyphs attributed to the Hohokam tribe that once inhabited these lands.

The blueprint on the table is the original schematic of the first floor of the Guggenheim Museum.

Citrus orchards were planted on the grounds.

The majestic McDowell Mountains in the background.

Old photos of Wright and his apprentices designing and building Taliesin West.

A pond outside the kiva room.

The large tree placed outside of the kiva room contrasts with the room's low entryway.

Wright incorporated cantilever roofing into the design.

Wright's designs usually included some Japanese elements.

The entry of the garden sitting room is an example of the compress and release architectural style.

Originally, the garden sitting room was an open-air design. The windows were added years later.

Another view of the garden sitting room.

The courtyard view from the garden sitting room.

The sunset terrace.

The entertainment room, where movies were viewed and lively discussions took place. Wright believed strongly in the importance of democratic freedoms, including freedom of speech.