A visit to a soon to be lost architectural treasure

As I mentioned at the end of my post about Taliesin West, in forty years there hasn’t been a Frank Lloyd Wright building intentionally demolished, but that could change soon if the David and Gladys Wright house is not saved. Today I visited the home with hundreds of others during a public open house. I wandered the grounds and explored the nooks, closets, spaces and crannies they let us visit.

David and Gladys Wright House
David and Gladys Wright House

It is an architectural beauty for a single family residence. If I had the money, I’d buy it and move in. It is the only round residential building Wright built and is a bit similar to the Guggenheim. The indoor living space is all raised above ground leaving a wonderful outdoor living space perfect for use in Arizona below.

David and Gladys Wright HouseDavid Wright HouseDavid Wright Home

The inside of the living space was closed but visitors could go inside the utility room at the base of the main silo structure, the bathroom at the base of the other silo for use while enjoying the outdoor living space, and inside the guesthouse that’s attached to the car port.

Frank Lloyd Wright's signature tile at David Wright Housecold storage door handle at David Wright houseguest house sink at David Wright houseDavid Wright House detail

The house isn’t in perfect shape with a few molded concrete blocks missing and I’m sure the electrical system isn’t up to code, but it is a wonderful example of Wright’s design, style and philosophy.

downstairs bathroom at David Wright housedetail of concrete block motif at David Wright housestairs from utility room to kitchen at David Wright houseinside guest house of David Wright home

The house will be open to the public again on Sunday, 30 Sept., from 8 a.m. to noon. Located at 5212 Exeter Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ, with the entrance to the property of Rubicon, this treasure is at risk of being lost but can be saved. You can help save this one-of-a-kind American architectural treasure. You can sign the petition online. Also, there will be a public hearing on October 2, at 6 p.m.

5 Responses

  1. savethephotos

    I just went today myself to see it, thanks for all the great photos, Have to get mine up soon too! Hoping all goes well to save it, a lot of people turned out to see it.

  2. Lisa

    You didn’t mention why it was going to be torn down. New building project? In bad repair? Foreclosure?