... You know, I stumbled across this restoration project on Instagram last month and was actually a little disappointed in myself for not having the slightest clue that The David Wright House even existed.
BUT ... First, a little background: I lived in the Valley - Scottsdale, actually - For eight months after graduating College from The University of Arizona with my Bachelors Degree in Architecture with an Option in Design in 2002. Prior to leaving Tucson for Scottsdale I spent the eight months after graduation working full-time for the same Architectural Firm I had Interned part-time for while going to school...It was a good time for me - I was learning a lot, making my own money, living by myself for the first time ever and spending every waking minute with my friends on the weekend.
Good times.
... So, I guess you could say I was pretty familiar with the Grand Canyon State having lived there for seven years before bailing for Northern California in 2004...AND...Tuscon, as an aside, is a simple hour and a half away from this Frank Lloyd Wright designed home - So, with all the times my peers and I went back and forth up the I-10 Corridor to the greater Phoenix Metro-area we could have simply driven by this property.
It would have been a nice photo opportunity at the absolute very least...
I am nothing if not self-aware I guess.
Yes, I have been to Taliesin West - It was great and a must for any Architect that is in the area and has the time - BUT...I never knew that the David Wright House - The home Frank Lloyd Wright designed for his Son, in tribute to and as a means to represent, how America should live in the Southwest - even existed until last month. Yes, the David Wright House sits in the Arcadia Neighborhood, a quick drive away from my old Office in Scottsdale - In fact, having driven through the Arcadia Neighborhood several times when living in the Valley and since when going back to visit I am sure I have sped right past it.
Again, I am nothing if not self-aware.
Whatever.
... Regardless, here is a nice write up on AZ Central about the Home and the restoration process as well as some of the push-back the new owners are receiving from the Arcadia Neighborhood Residents:
I have cherry-picked some of the better photos from the article and posted them below for your viewing pleasure.
Enjoy:
Pretty cool, huh? - I am not a huge Wright Apologist - America's Architect was a notorious womanizer and excellent at his practice of infidelity...All why preaching the American Family ideal and the importance of the Hearth in the home - AND - Essentially stealing his Intern's ideas, concepts and creativity while never giving credit or a cent of pay...Whatever I suppose.
History is written by Historians and that translates to Architectural History is written by Architects.
Whatever.
Still though...Pretty cool House; glad it is not going to be bulldozed.
Finally, I will leave you with their Website:
http://davidwrighthouse.org/
... And for good measure, also their Social Networking Accounts:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/davidwrighthouse?_rdr=p
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/davidwrighthouse/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/wrighthouseaz
Cheers...B.