In a move to marry heritage with sustainability, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has entrusted Sasaki, an integrated design firm, with the creation of a new comprehensive plan for the iconic Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona. Once the winter haven and desert laboratory of the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West is now poised for a transformative journey that respects its storied past and secures its future.
The comprehensive plan will honor and enhance Taliesin West’s legacy while ensuring its sustainability and relevance for future generations. Key goals include a consolidated plan and documentation to guide future work on the property, creating a responsive site approach and design that respects the local ecology, and developing a comprehensive vision for the site alongside the new Interpretive Plan based on extensive audience research conducted in 2019.
A History of Innovation & Desert Ecology
Perched in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Taliesin West's synergy with its surroundings has captured the imagination since 1938. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the former winter camp and studio of Wright is a testament to organic architecture’s potential to coalesce with nature, embodying his principles of organic architecture and blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. The Sonoran Desert surrounding Taliesin West is a vital component of its design and plays a crucial role in the site’s development and sustainability. Today, the vision for Taliesin West evolves, prioritizing its ecological footprint, with an emphasis on the site's response to the climate crisis.
“After Wright’s death in 1959, development at Taliesin West was not planful or by design,” said Stuart Graff, President and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. “New technologies, societal changes, and even climate change make having a thoughtful path forward important to the Foundation and the surrounding community.”
The Sonoran Desert is one of the most biologically diverse deserts in the world, home to many distinct species of flora and fauna adapted to survive in its harsh and arid conditions. Saguaro cacti, ocotillo, and palo verde trees are just a few of the plant species that thrive in this environment. Respecting the site’s desert conditions is essential when designing for Taliesin West. Sasaki’s plan will examine the impact of climate change on these sensitive plant communities and prioritize sustainable design practices that reduce the site’s impact on the surrounding ecosystem.
Preserving the Past, Planning the Future
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation's collaboration with Sasaki goes beyond mere conservation. The planned comprehensive vision for the site is for Sasaki to develop an Interpretive Master plan for the site as it aims to develop new modes of engagement and a wide array of tour and public programs, without sacrificing historic preservation and sustainable site management principles as outlined in the Taliesin West Preservation Plan that have long been the site’s cornerstone.
Sasaki's Principal, Susannah Drake, expressed pride in contributing to the site's evolution. "Taliesin West is not just a historic site; it is a living testament to Wright’s visionary approach to architecture and design. Our team is collaborating with the Foundation to create a plan that respects the site’s heritage while embracing ecology and sustainability," she explained.
The comprehensive plan's development is a balancing act of respect for heritage and adaptation to modern-day environmental challenges. By engaging with the site’s history and ecology, Sasaki’s plan will guide the evolution of Taliesin West as a dynamic cultural destination and educational resource for years to come.
In crafting this new chapter for Taliesin West, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and Sasaki pledge to continue Wright's ethos of innovation and ecological sensitivity. The new comprehensive plan will be designed with a deep commitment to preserving and celebrating the site’s architectural and cultural heritage. By revitalizing this iconic site, the comprehensive plan not only ensures the preservation of a historic landmark, but also reaffirms the importance of contextual design that’s rooted in place.
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