Frank Lloyd Wright is primarily known for his revolution in art and architecture, that dominated much of the last century. His buildings, designs, and techniques can be seen all around the world and especially here in the Valley. Not only did Wright have a passion in conventional architecture, he also had a soft-spot for our canine friends.

In the early 1950s little 12 year-old Jim Berger wanted a home for his beloved black lab, Eddie. You see, Jim, was the son of Robert Berger. Robert built their home in 1951 from the plans of Wright himself. The house is now known as the Robert Berger House and is located in San Anselmo, California. Jimmy wrote several letters to Wright requesting plans for a personalized dog house. He even offered to cover all expenses with his paper route money (ah the 1950s). His only stipulation: it would be have to be easy to build and would go well with the house.

At first, Wright being the busy man he was, declined the request. That did not matter to Jim, he kept on writing. Finally in 1956, the boy received a special delivery. He had finally got his plans, affectionately named “canis domus.” If you want to check out the actual plans, click here. Frank Lloyd: a good guy, Wright?

Just in time for Arizona’s centennial celebration, the Phoenix Art Museum is hosting Frank Lloyd Wright: Organic Architecture for the 21st Century.

Taking place from now to the end of April, this exhibit commemorates the famous Arizonan architect and explores his tenets of organic architecture. Though Wright did most of his work primarily in the mid-century, his style and method resonates with today and holds a major part in Arizonan history.

The exhibition looks into many of Wright’s career accomplishments including Unity Temple in Illinois, Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, Johnson Wax Administration Building and Taliesin, both in Wisconsin and of course Taliesin West in Scottsdale. After the construction of the Taliesin West, Wright retired in the Valley and spent the remainder of his days designing dozens of residential and commercial structures.

Phx Art Museum | 1625 North Central Avenue | Phoenix, AZ 85004 

Image via Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

Sunday, December 18, visit the home Taliesin West of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright for the launch of “A Taste of Taliesin West’” a compilation of recipes served at the home. Samples of food will be served and the cookbook’s editor and writer will be onsite for book signings and questions. The event is free and starts at 4:00 p.m.

Taliesin West | 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard | Scottsdale, AZ | 480-860-2700

Image via TaliesinWest

Salenger Home images by Mark Boiclair and Bill Timmerman.

We see the works of architects all around us every day. We all have our favorite buildings here in the Valley – whether it be a classic brick building, a mid-century mod construction, a brand-new sustainable design or something altogether different. But have you ever wondered what the living spaces of the talented architects who design our favorite digs are like? If so, you’ll want to check out the 3rd Annual Architects’ Own Homes Tour, November 11-13, Valleywide.

The tour, presented by Gnosis, Ltd., showcases the homes of nine Valley architects plus the living spaces of students at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West.

Tickets are $65 – $50 with a student ID – and include the following:

Friday, Nov. 11
Pecha Kucha & Panel Discussion/Symposium at Taliesin West, hosted by the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, moderated by Max Underwood AIA, President’s Professor, ASU School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture

Cocktail Party: 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Symposium: 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Saturday, Nov. 12
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
FLW Student Shelters will be open to ticket holders via 20-person tours, 15 minutes apart

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Self-driving tour throughout Valley to see architects’ own homes

Sunday, Nov. 13
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Self-driving tour throughout Valley to see architects’ own homes

Get a sneak peek of one of the homes on the tour with a look at the 1954 renovated bungalow in Tempe of Matthew and Maria Salenger:

As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it.

Another day, another amazing exhibit coming to the Phoenix Art Museum. This time, architecture and art buffs can join together in celebration of on one of the world’s most famous architects, Frank Lloyd Wright. The exhibition, entitled Frank Lloyd Wright: Organic Architecture for the 21st Century, will open on December 18 in honor of the 75th Anniversary of Wright’s former residence and studio, Taliesin West and aims to offer “fresh perspective” on the celebrated architects seven-decade career. The exhibition will include never before seen drawings, scale models and photography in addition to videos of the man in action.

The look back on Wright’s expansive work will focus on his triumphs in the architecture world and will delve into the details of Living City. While the project never made it past the blueprint stage, fans of Wright will be able to see the beginning stages of a 1958 urban utopia which aimed to blend the natural environment with everyday life. Sounds like Wright was “going green” before anyone ever knew the meaning behind it. Mark your calendars for the release date, Wright’s Arizona legacy lives on.

Another day, another amazing exhibit coming to the Phoenix Art Museum. This time, architecture and art buffs can join together in celebration of on one of the world’s most famous architects, Frank Lloyd Wright. The exhibition, entitled Frank Lloyd Wright: Organic Architecture for the 21st Century, will open on December 18 in honor of the 75th Anniversary of Wright’s former residence and studio, Taliesin West and aims to offer “fresh perspective” on the celebrated architects seven-decade career. The exhibition will include never before seen drawings, scale models and photography in addition to videos of the man in action.

The look back on Wright’s expansive work will focus on his triumphs in the architecture world and will delve into the details of Living City. While the project never made it past the blueprint stage, fans of Wright will be able to see the beginning stages of a 1958 urban utopia which aimed to blend the natural environment with everyday life. Sounds like Wright was “going green” before anyone ever knew the meaning behind it. Mark your calendars for the release date, Wright’s Arizona legacy lives on.

They say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. But what about the opposite effect, that we tend to take the people and places we see every day for granted? Just like the New York natives who have never been to Times Square or visited the Statue of Liberty, how many Valley residents have never hiked Camelback Mountain or eaten at Pizzeria Bianco, despite it being named the best in the US? (Based upon our obsession with food and our abject terror at the thought of exercising, we’re sure you can guess which one is still on our bucket list.)

So it’s only natural that we’re all a little blasé about the fact that the Valley is home to world-class collection of Frank Lloyd Wright homes and buildings. After all, he’s only the most famous, influential architect in American history, and he lived and worked (and died) right here in Scottsdale. So today we’re going to make it easy to get up close and personal with one of Wright’s most unique and overlooked masterpieces.

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Located in the Biltmore neighborhood just steps away from the Arizona Biltmore Resort, this contemporary stunner was designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. So naturally, while planning a remodel, the new homeowners wanted to maintain the home’s original look and feel while also bringing this ‘Modern’ home into the 21st century. Furthermore, the owners tasked the Scottsdale-based interior design fim, Est Est, with transforming the home into a an indoor-outdoor showcase for their amazing Modern art collection.

So how did it turn out? See the results for yourself in the picture gallery below.
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Designed in 1958 by Daniel J. Liebermann, this residence in the Redwoods features a radial floorplan and curved walls. A former apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright, the home was his personal residence. Today the home is owned by a San Francisco couple, who worked with the original architect to restore this 1,100 square foot space into a sleek, light-filled abode thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows and 19 skylights.

[NY Times]

See the full sideshow here