Frank Lloyd Wright’s Own Home - Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin

[@NoaJohnson]

As a tour guide at Taliesin, we always want visitors to feel the flow of the spaces as Wright meant them to be used. It’s a mission certainly easier said than done, but this video captures that feeling and energy perfectly!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks Noa

[@badapple65]

What great fun it must be to be a tour guide of such an historic residence! I stop once or twice per year at the family chapel and Frank’s now empty Grave. This early Summer I went walking towards the Grave and all of a sudden in the long grass I was walking in 4-5 inches of water! A low spot in the cemetery. I rode my motorcycle with wet soggy boots the rest of the day! Beautiful area. Just love it!

[@tarunifalconer]

PS: Quite the most comprehensive, intelligent tour I’ve watched of Taliesen.

[@maryleatucker5232]

I had the incredible privilege to spend 8 days at the complex as part of a design seminar in the summer of 2006. Thank you for bringing back great memories.

[@maryleatucker5232]

Please please give a tour of Taliesin West! I spent 10 days each summer in design seminars there during 2004-2006 living in the apprentice shelters. That changed my life and my career.

[@afgailp]

Agree! I was a Winter Immersion student at Taliesin West in 2018, it also changed my life … the architecture school that FLLW began and which remained at the Taliesin sites for 88 years was shut down in 2020 (renamed and moved on) … while tours are wonderful, and this video awesome, they are no substitute for living, working, breathing in and experiencing a place over weeks, months, years …

[@Nynke_K]

Okay, having watched the whole video now, I just have to say thanks for taking us along and showing us those nooks and crannies! What an amazing place!

[@aprilvanveghel3790]

The nooks and crannies and behind the scenes stuff is always my favorite.

[@miketrebert7788]

Uncle Frank was in court testifying and being difficult. The lawyer questioning him said “You’re very arrogant, sir.” Wright said “ I have a lot to be arrogant about.”

[@Archimarathon]

LOL. Sounds about (w)right!

[@timhazeltine3256]

A great architect but an awful human being

[@ComeAlongKay]

@@timhazeltine3256that seems overly simplistic, people like to dismiss people particularly guys nowadays and it leaves out a great deal of detail and nuance of people and just reduces them down to ‘they good or they bad.’ Sometimes people are complicated, particularly very gifted ones.

[@kathi3796]

Wow! So cool that you got to see all the spaces. Thanks for taking all of us on a tour! So much history within those walls. Another great video from the two of you! Always enjoy your banter!

[@Archimarathon]

Glad you enjoyed it. We certainly did enjoy making it.

[@kimmyhill]

It's great. Really enjoying its quirkiness. Thanks very much for the window. I've been to both Fallingwater and Taliesin West. For me, FLW structures I've visited seem to have an unusual presence that feels almost human. It's like the chairs beckon you to sit, the windows encourage you to look everywhere not just anywhere; the stone and wood insist you touch them. And what is it about that marvelous Cherokee Red that makes it so appealing?

[@Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaron]

I really enjoyed the sense of tactility in this tour. From the change in foot steps over different surfaces, to the creaking and snapping of doors, hatches, and locks. Also based on that outro - Andrew loves the viewers, Kevin only loves the architecture 😂

[@Archimarathon]

People? What’s that?

[@stevemiller7949]

This is the best tour of Taliesen East I have ever seen, and I have seen many of them.

[@Archimarathon]

Wow thank you

[@gregpendrey6711]

Agree

[@jona_archi]

this is so alive! it was always hard for me to connect with frank lloyd wright's buildings. but this was incredible - both widening my horizon of what's possible and bringing closer some of his other works. it was super easy to lose orientation. at several times, i wished for a map with a pin of where you currently are - but perhaps the getting lost in the video transports, what experiencing the building is like and adding to the playfulness and mystique

[@sfbratprince]

A fantastic look at a building that so little is shown publicly though it’s so well known. Thank you for pointing out and exploring some of the quirky areas and odd aspects of the structure.

[@janelte]

PHWOAR!! Frank! Thanks so much for sharing this experience with us all. Your enthusiasm is contagious and I will never get a chance to see Taliesin in "person" so to ride on your coat tails is a great gift. And thank you also to those who made it possible for you to travel and stay there.

[@Archimarathon]

PHWOAR!!!

[@robabiera733]

Wright was a master at guiding your perspective.

[@debraellwood3850]

My dad was an architect, and Uncle Frank was his hero. My dad would have loved your architecture style, too.

[@vecchiofalegname6149]

Your video inspires me to read more about Wright's theories of architecture. I toured one of his houses (Hollyhock). I've also been in the civic center in San Rafael, north of SF. Amazing building, still in use today. Like the J&J building, they've never been able to stop the roof leaking, as of the last time I was there during a rainy period---buckets all over the hallway to catch the drips. Still, amazing design.

[@boomerang1125]

I'm a native of Wisconsin. I adore FLW and have visited Taliesin many times. I loved your show so I could reflect upon The home that Frank built to escape Oak Park, IL and the scandal of his affair with Mamah Cheney, wife of an Oak Park client. He would take the train down to his office in Chicago (in the early days of Taliesin) and Mamah would stay in Spring Green. The land was owned by the maternal Lloyd side of the family and the valley was kind of 'home' to the Lloyd's, who immigrated here from Wales, England. Ivana (this 3rd and last wife) lived there with Frank from the mid-1920's and after his death in 1959. She eventually settled permanently in Taliensin West, outside of Scottsdale AZ. The FLW 'foundation' formally owned both Taliesin's. In Wisconsin, he was friends with Hib Johnson (of the S.C. Johnson family) and designed their factory buildings in Racine as well as 'Wingspread' in northern Racine county, home of Hib and his family. Sammy Johnson Jr. was one of Hib's children and recalls the stories about growing up in Wingspread as well as the relationship with his father and FLW, America's greatest architect.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for the stories.

[@QueenOfTheOasis]

I grew up about seven miles away. Taliesin, Hillside and FLW were very much a part of the zeitgeist but very removed at the same time. Grandma would tell stories about the arson/murders. Endlessly fascinating. Thanks for taking us into areas that we would never be allowed.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for sharing!

[@keriskousen5232]

Small? It goes on and on! But gorgeous! Thank you!

[@Archimarathon]

Small in terms of against the human body. It’s actually a lot smaller than how the camera lens depicts

[@jbratt]

His furniture just doesn’t get enough love. His exposure plywood edges has in recent years become very popular. It’s somewhat reminiscent of exposed joinery of dovetails. It’s a little peep inside to clever construction that adds so much interest to a mechanical mind while exposing brilliance and beauty. The ceilings are a bit low for my tastes (and height) but I love these tours.

[@susankennedy7178]

Fantastic video and perspectives! I especially loved the behind-the-scenes parts that are generally off-limits to the public. 🤩

[@TEPO--]

I absolutely enjoyed and delighted in your venture and taking us along, thank you. As a child in the 60's I wondered and exploered countless old/historical mansions of San Francisco as my father was visiting, the Opera House during performances asparents enjoyed the performances my curiosity, love of design and architecture always delighted me..... I'd be thrilled to discover indiscreet stairways and passages and daydream of the old days in those environments. My parents designed and build our home and the entire process has always been a love and appreciation if mine. May curiosity along with the delights of mindful design, environments and habitats always be enjoyed and appreciated....... Delightful venture, thank you, Tara

[@middleway5271]

I have been here my folks go about once a year. It's very special.

[@fennycruz6714]

I love this guys! Living and breathing space...a must travel and experience peice of art for architects...who are kids at heart. Thank you archimarathon...-from a FLW fan in southeast asia

[@taliesinpreservation5880]

Thank you, Archimarathon, for beautifully capturing Taliesin! So many wonderful comments here!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for having us!

[@basti9498]

loved to watch this. Feeled your passion for architecture through the screen. I like how it’s no big production but just a roomtour with little cuts. It feels more personal and has more character I think

[@arturocostantino623]

This is everything that architecture should be but almost never is.❤

[@tarunifalconer]

A wonderful, multi-layered video tour. And beautifully edited. Thank you both.

[@milkrecu]

A great tour of many great spaces. The joy and enthusiasm that you both have adds much to the experience.

[@aprilvanveghel3790]

And right up the road is House on the Rock which is a mixture of interesting/odd/creepy but worth seeing once. Although it’s definitely not being taken care of like it used to be.

[@WaLterNO]

Lived in Milwaukee for 25 years. Cool to see you visiting these Wisconsin locations!

[@BaumannJA]

The Greatest domestic space in America, Home of the greatest American Artist and Architect. Frank Lloyd Wright. Once you have spent time and lived in those spaces...you are forever changed.

[@gabybordino6024]

Awesome, guys! Thanks for the video. Photos and plans definitely don’t do justice. The space is amazing. The constant compression/release contrast makes the spatial experience unique. FLLW definitely lived what he preached, architecturally speaking

[@sheldef4328]

Have you visited Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel in Japan? Japan has several historical architecture parks where they take older buildings from different periods that were going to be demolished and rebuild them in basically a theme park. You can go inside the buildings and they have information about how the building was used and what life was like back in the day. I had the chance to visit Meiji Mura and see the original FLW entrance and courtyard pond which they preserved in the park. You could probably spend a good day walking around the park and checking out the buildings.

[@maynardarchitects]

I've stayed at FLW's Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Sadly there isn't much FLW left in it after years of alteration.

[@elieMono]

I’ve watched so many docos and videos about uncle Frank and read countless books… your video is the first time I actually felt like I was there. Stunning video and tour … what a space ❤❤❤ Thanks guys!

[@Archimarathon]

Thank you. What a compliment.

[@claymccleery9451]

Thank you for this video. Photographs do not do justice, to Taliesin.

[@paolomasone3754]

fabulous! never knew about all the hidden spaces. thanks

[@fierywomanpacnw7004]

You guys never cease to fascinate me --- so many thanks !

[@badapple65]

The daughter’s bedroom above is outstanding! They pointed it out to us from below but not allowed up there. It’s like Elvis’ bedroom no one allowed 😆

[@beckyanderson1995]

Thank you for the video. Spent time there this summer but didn't have time for the tour. It was very well done.

[@juliansecomb3703]

This region of Wisconsin is a magical place in the summer.

[@Archimarathon]

Yeah everyone said we just got the Magic window when things are green, not cold and no bugs yet

[@Innovative_Mic]

it's giving Winchester mansion vibes. Both homes were built with similar mentalities, keep building.

[@JeffKutz-r9g]

You talked about how tall Frank Lloyd Wright was. I believe it was his grandson who made a comment about when he saw Frank's body after he had died and he was shocked about how small of a man he was. When he was alive he was such a 'larger than life' man and that had gone away after he had died. This was from someone from the immediate family who we can assume had much more contact with the famous man than just someone who visited or even worked with the man. That was a comment that has stayed with me over the years that defined my appreciation for the life-force that was Frank Lloyd Wright.

[@MrJdubbya36]

Been to a lot of FLW buildings but have not been to Taliesin yet. Been to Taliesin West several times. Been to Darwin Martin house a couple times. Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. Seen Hollyhock House and Graycliff and a few more obscure places and things. Will have to add Taliesin to my trip list.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes it’s actually quite fascinating to see how he lived

[@zoeannas.u4187]

So incredible, every part of the space is so beautifully composed, with a rhythm and cadence to it - feels like walking through a piece of music. Keen for an Archimarathon USA tour.

[@williamburke13]

Amazing house and video! Thank you guys

[@trsmith2442]

In teh town I grew up in there were a number of houses architected by graduates of the FLW school. This house reminds me so much of them. They all had secret passages through cabinetry and interesting nooks and crannies. They were amazing places to play hide and go seek.

[@royvincenttrani]

I love this! Thank you for the detailed walkthrough

[@marqde1]

Was there some years ago as part of an excursion from Madison. Took some pictures but not nearly enough. Took a tour from Monona Terrace itself a kind of posthumous FLW building must remember the little red tile next time.

[@arnasagen8077]

I could be wrong, but I think the shiny stonework on the floor is supposed to mimic wet stones and bedrock as found in creeks.

[@deedyfenton]

I keep pausing the video and getting amazed 🤯🤯🤯 haven’t watched your videos for a while and now I realized that’s a BIG mistake.

[@Archimarathon]

Welcome back

[@greatmustis]

Now you must go to taliesin west!!

[@mmau]

Just discovered your channel, fantastic!

[@Archimarathon]

Welcome aboard

[@HueBFuture]

Great video

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

I always love visiting FLW’s buildings. They are always extremely interesting as well as annoying in many aspects.

[@Chris.Davies]

Amazing stuff! In NZ, in 2008 I built an almost-copy of Usonia 1 - Herbert and Katherine Jacobs first FLW home, from 1936 in Madison, WI. It's an amazing home - even if I do say so myself. Sadly, I no longer own it. Oh - and it leaked! :)

[@dhruvbs]

this is a great tour!

[@chilliarch-lg7fp]

Archimarathon just uploaded a new video lessgooo🔥🔥🏠

[@tigerphid9677]

Wright defined modernism in wood, stone and brick, and warm tones. It was an homage to the 19th century. The Bauhaus redefined it in steel, glass and concrete, and cool or even cold tones, reflecting the 20th century and its rejection of the past.

[@Archimarathon]

Corb had many colours and are mostly warm. Aalto had wood and colours

[@unbrook]

Thank you for the wonderful tour. Just one thing to point out. I do not believe Mr. Wright's secretary was a woman. Eugene Masselink responded to the Weltzheimer's letter when they built their house in Oberlin, Ohio and he was male.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for the clarification

[@maynardarchitects]

Thank you for this. Honestly appreciated. My gender assumptions are on full show. I’ll try to do better next time. 💚💚

[@scottastell9415]

Very interesting tour.

[@cserd8734]

I have been there, however at 6’4 I found it a little uncomfortable. However was impressive.

[@Archimarathon]

Constant cranked neck.

[@tedjohnson64]

Fascinating tour! How tall are you? (I’m trying to get an idea of how low the ceilings are)

[@Archimarathon]

About 180cm or 5’11”

[@tedjohnson64]

@@Archimarathon Aha, thanks! That really puts the ridiculously low ceilings of Taliesin into perspective. Cheers!

[@perrysopina6145]

Only 17 of his buildings had a red tile. The red tile means he designed everything in the building furniture linens glassware such

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for the clarification

[@deezynar]

The Taliesin organization slaps designers who "copy" Wright, and that has stilted proliferation of his style since his death. He was a huge influence on designers in the first half of the 20th century, but far fewer people are aware of him and his styles today. Copyright has expired on his early designs, so "inspired" work in those styles can be built without fear now. But many things that he did do not meet current building codes, such as the extremely low ceilings you pointed out. There are other things that won't fly today as well, so nobody is going to do a pure copy now. But there is a lot to learn from him, and we would all be better off if more of his ideas were reintroduced in new buildings.

[@jamesetal7088]

He was either really into dusting or had never heard of dust.

[@globalroamer1900]

Uncle Frank was a freakin genius.....

[@billrbca]

yes we struck but the low ceilings a Falling Waters as well....we love modern architecture but with higher ceilings....

[@jonscottharp9591]

I bet Frank LLoyd Wright built tree houses and cave forts when he was a kid.

[@shubus]

All the apprentices that helped build Tallesin must not have been very tall.Wright must have imposed a hight restriction on apprentices applicants else they would not be able to walk around this incredible structure.

[@shaynecommons]

Very cool! I had no idea. Where was food prepared?

[@Archimarathon]

In the kitchen of course. It’s a working kitchen as they do hold events there and we didn’t have access.

[@andrewburns9480]

23:53 Looks like the oar lock from a Venetian gondola behind Andrew?

[@Archimarathon]

Yeah it is

[@joannanagubadi4107]

come see me in winfield IL!!

[@mommat1306]

OK so it burnt twice. If it were mine I would have used that opportunity to raise the entire roof line by about a foot. Wouldn’t have changed the sight lines at all. Was he a very short man? Because I’m not tall, but that low ceiling would make me claustrophobic. We toured the Dana-Thomas house he designed in Springfield, IL. It was gorgeous, and not low ceilings at all. Maybe I’d raise it 2 feet, because even the doors are way too short!

[@barrywainwright3391]

What a huge well laid out mansion home. Meanwhile, I'm living in a small cramped 1100sf ranch.

[@LouieGrind]

Uncle Frank was 1.7m so he probably felt it was a good ceiling height. He probably became shorter when he got older too.

[@stevemiller7949]

FLW is such a benchmark for me. I can't imagine living with white walls because of him. To me, they will always seem sterile and cold. The white paint on the Guggenheim definitely seems wrong to me, and it's not as if great art cant look great against a non white background.😊😊

[@Archimarathon]

Amount of comments i get on Instagram and TikTok with our other videos on FLW saying “oh it’s too dark”

[@stevemiller7949]

@@Archimarathon I am not surprised. I guess I am just differant, and being differant can be great if you know how to do it right.

[@Nynke_K]

Compression is all well and good, but how short was Frank Lloyd Wright? He probably never bumped his head himself...

[@janetbarkwith]

Gorgeous, and I love the colours. But - and it's a big but - I would find those low ceilings and narrow doorways extremely oppressive, even if others would find them OK. And by golly, I'd hate to be in charge of dusting the place, with all those ledges and different surfaces! Am I being too practical?

[@focus19551]

Please keep pointing

[@Archimarathon]

☝️

[@gabybordino6024]

Amazing! I’ll be back with a proper comment 😉

[@trsmith2442]

His oern hoerm!

[@DesignXWorkshop]

He loved his “compression”, but the hitting your head thing is a bit ridiculous. Also, I can’t stand carports…I have one and I hate it….absolutely hate it. I would never design a carport. The carport traps all the leaves and pine needles and dirt….which inevitably works its way into your house. I guess this isn’t a problem if you have servants. I do like his ability to create warmth in very large interior spaces. It really comes down to choice of natural materials and site lines and dividing up the large space into smaller purposeful useful parts.

[@Davaldod]

Will someone please explain the reason the doors are so short and the ceilings often so low? Was this common for a FLW building? Was there a deliberate aesthetic reason? Was it about the Japanese references? Because what use is the drama of emerging from a compressed space into a large space if you literally can't fit in it?

[@kinghenry100]

How tall was frank those look low ceilings

[@maximoskoukos]

Keeping furniture to the perimeter wall should serve as a lesson to those who think feng shui is bull shit. Stop cluttering the flow of your spaces. Now, with that said, why in God's name did they build the ceilings 6'3"

[@toi_techno]

It's an interesting building but living in it would be like living in an interpretive centre Living spaces need to some level of cosiness

[@billw5189]

To me FLW was certainly a mixed bag. When you compare Wright to his contemporaries it’s pretty clear that he brought a lot to the party. On the other hand, some of what he insisted on is just IMO, impractical, difficult and not durable. I like art, but I don’t think I can afford to live inside it. Cheers

[@Tifa.studio]

😍😍♥️♥️♥️

[@LeeLWeber]

How tall is the presenter walking around?

[@Archimarathon]

1.8m there abouts

[@RB-zm4fk]

Noice

[@globalroamer1900]

different.....unusual !

[@Jterlato]

When I visited they told us that uncle frank would cut the legs off his chairs due to his short stature.

[@Archimarathon]

😂

[@barflentigo7060]

What's with the low clearances. Was this house built for postmodern hobbits??

[@vllukens7265]

I love FLW's buildings , but 2 fires and a murder-? Something not right about the ground it's built on.Those low ceilings, beams and sharp corners? Sorry guys, but bad juju.

[@carlosalvarez4641]

The elephant in the room: ceiling way too low.

[@plinyTheelder1967]

it seems really dangerous. its the anti home. every space is very uncomfortable. it seems its intentionally unpleasant. odd.

[@selfrighteous88]

I don't like it. It's got really low ceilings and lots of 'dead' spaces (the kind of places where if the house was part of an urban everyone would take a piss because they're sheltered from view).

[@bosco4890]

Ilke anything, the people we put on a pedestal could be easily outmatched if all the people of the earth had the same opportunity. Frank did nothing special.

[@RyanJohnsonD]

@31:56ff No! But it's on my list now. @18:24ff. I agree: Uncomfortable. @17:09 what stone is on the mantle? I live on the West coast. Never lived with Radiant heating. What is your thoughts on radiant floor systems? They are so prevalent in the East Coast. Are they more cost efficient and durable than central or "GI Thermal" heating you mentioned? @22:37ff what type of stone is the floo,r and how did they get it smoothed and shiny?

[@Archimarathon]

@NoaJohnson might be able to answer some of those questions

[@NoaJohnson]

@@RyanJohnsonD the majority of the stone in the home is limestone, quarried from about a mile from the property. The stone flooring is limestone, which Wright had waxed (with wax free from the Johnson Wax company!) because he thought it looked like the bottom of the Wisconsin river when it was waxed. It is a resin coating now, as the wax was not durable enough for the foot traffic from tours. The radiant heating was particularly effective because the stone holds the heat so well. The geothermal system both heats and cools the house, which is great because the Wisconsin humidity can really damage the items inside the home. Geothermal is also very cost effective and more sustainable than radiant.

[@RyanJohnsonD]

@@NoaJohnson Thank you! Great info Really interesting. Would you do an episode on Geothermal?