Taliesin West - Scottsdale, AZ - Famous school

Taliesin West was once the winter home and school of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and stands not only as a memorial to some of his works but continues to teach aspiring architects to this day.

The building is owned and operated by The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and is not only the headquarters of the foundation but is also the main campus of their School of Architecture. It was built in the late 1930s and was Frank Lloyd's winter home from 1937 right up until his death in 1959, and he continued to add to the buildings throughout his lifetime with the help of his students.

In 1982 the building was declared a National Historic Landmark and today public tours are offered of the home and school, including the private quarters of Frank Wright and his wife which were renovated in 2004.

There are a number of tours on offer, each one adding a new appreciation of the building and of Frank Lloyd himself. Tours range from the 60 minute Panorama tour, running three times a day for $27, right up to the three-hour long Behind-the-Scenes tour, operating every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 9:15am for a price of $60.

There's even a special tour for children, the Creative Architecture for Juniors tour, that runs between June and August at $10 for those between the ages of 4 and 12 and $12 for children 13 and over. There are even discounts available on some tours for students, seniors, children and active military personnel.

There's something for everyone no matter what their depth of knowledge and interest, with the daily tours offering a glimpse into the life and times of the architect and his buildings and the special tours offering that added extra. It's worth checking the tour timetable, as times and availability vary throughout the year.

The center is open throughout the year except Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. Its various indoor and outdoor spaces can also be rented for a number of functions, from corporate receptions to non-religious weddings. All group sizes can be accommodated, from 20 to 300 people, with a dedicated events coordinator being on hand to make sure that everything runs smoothly.

There's a large bookstore and gift shop on site, stocking a huge collection of Frank Lloyd Wright books and products as well as a number of other gifts and souvenirs. The store is open daily from 8:30am to 6pm, and items can even be bought by phone or online for complete convenience.

Taliesin West offers a unique insight into the life and times of Frank Lloyd Wright and the buildings that he created. Visitors will learn that many of his most famous buildings were designed in this very setting, and all lovers of architecture will be able to appreciate not only his works but the beautiful surroundings as well.

No photo of the building