Posted in Arizona State Pride April 28, 2016 by

There’s No House In The World Like This One In Arizona

If you’re a regular reader here at Only In Arizona, you’ll know there’s plenty of things in our state to make us proud. One example? Arizona was a home and inspiration for one of the world’s most famous architects, Frank Lloyd Wright.

FLW designed many homes and buildings across the country (and world) but in Arizona, the most cited example is his home, studio and school Taliesin West. That is an incredible example of his most recognized designs, but today we’re going to focus on a house that illustrates a transformative moment in Wright’s design career: the David and Gladys Wright House.

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David Wright House/Facebook
Photo via David Wright House website
The David and Gladys Wright House was designed in 1952 for FLW's son and sits in Phoenix's Arcadia neighborhood. The idea for the circular design originally came from a New Jersey client who commissioned a house design but never had a home built. This home was modified into the lifted spiral design used here.

The unique structure shape stemmed from seeking methods of cooling the house with breezes and winds. These winds could flow under and around the home. It also has the added benefit of incredible views! The home originally sat in the middle of an orange grove and the elevated structure allowed the couple to see the mountains and city beyond the trees.
Photo via David Wright House website
This exterior view from above shows off the combination of textures and lines, which made their way into every little detail.

After the couple died (David in 1997 and Gladys in 2008), the home was sold to a developer who planned to demolish it for commercial interests. Several years of preservation efforts eventually led the home to be sold again, this time to a developer who vowed to help preserve the home. The home now is waiting for a vote from the Phoenix City Council to officially determine the historic landmark status of the property.

Now, let's take a look inside.
Photo via David Wright House website
Photo via David Wright House website
What makes Wrights' home designs stand out is the impeccable attention to detail. The textures, patterns, and colors all combined create a rich environment that also seems effortlessly put together. He even went through the trouble of custom designing the interiors, such as the rugs and furniture, something characteristic of Wright.
Photo via David Wright House website
Even the evening views are incredible!
Sam Valadi/Flickr
The house design, one of the first examples Wright designed that focused almost exclusively on circular patterns, also was the inspiration for some of Wright's later works such as the Guggenheim Museum in New York and Tempe's own Gammage Auditorium.

Before you move on with your day, be sure to check out this beautiful, short video that talks about what makes this house unique.

I have to admit, that is one gorgeous house! (I also had to continually correct my writing because my fingers wanted to type Gladys Knight instead of Wright.) More information about the house can be found on its website, davidwrighthouse.org.

Have you visited the Wright House in Phoenix? Be sure to let us know what your experience was like!