Taliesin: Frank Lloyd Wright's Super-Cool Adult Fort

The Washington Street foundation truly is the gift that keeps giving. I don't know about the kids but I'm sure getting a lot out of these field trips. This month it was a visit to the little village
that Frankie built, all nestled up in the desert lushness of the McDowell mountains east of Scottsdale.

I couldn't help but enjoy a tinge of irony as we had to pass through some of the most superficial and decadent areas in Scottsdale to get to Taliesin. I chuckled as I observed how the simple serenity of this little community overshadowed all of the super leveraged and soulless houses that occupied the foothills just a stones throw below. I think that Mr. Wright would also share this feeling.

Despite the fact that residential development has now creeped up to its very edges this place is suprisingly peaceful. You can spend several hours here without even giving in to the temptation to look at your watch or blackberry.

The guides really bring this place to life. There are layers and layers of subtle history here that can only be uncovered by those who have lived to make it. In our case we were led by a spry older lady who has spent over 30 years on this campus. She was able to point out designs that originated here and that revolutionized the way we in which we design and build.

This place has a simple yet elegant design about it. It seems organic enough to feel like an elaborate fort yet sophisticated enough to host a dinner party, which it did back when the great architect was still alive. This place made the Swiss Family Robinson tree house seem so.....so, Disney in comparison.

This campus is still a vibrant center for learning. I couldn't think of a more serene and focused setting to learn how to build structures that are in harmony with nature. There is a small student body that basically lives in self-constructed forts during their academic stay. Let's see a textbook try to reach a mind like that.

All in all this was a worthwhile visit and a true gem to the Phoenix landscape. I'm surprised that it took this long for me to make the visit. True and inspired genius doesn't come around often, especially here. So you've got to savor and learn from those rare occurrences that you can create an intimate and tangible connection to the inspired.