Inside The Home Frank Lloyd Wright Designed For His Son | Unique Spaces | Architectural Digest

Today, AD travels to Phoenix, Arizona, to tour the David and Gladys Wright house-the home designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright for his son. When your father is America’s most celebrated architect, the greatest gift he could give you is a house, and this unique home uses many of the same ideas Lloyd Wright incorporated in the design of the Guggenheim Museum. The spiral structures, often symbolizing the infinite or longevity, are poetic, as David and his wife Gladys lived to be over 100 years old in this house. After many years of neglect and threats of demolition, father-and-daughter duo Bing and Amanda Hu bought the house and have since been on a mission to restore it to its former glory, keeping its legacy alive.
Archival Photos Courtesy of Pedro E. Guerrero
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[@filmcrew3531]

A Frank Lloyd Wright house that was on the verge of destruction? WOW! Thank you to the family Hu for rescuing and restoring it! Beautiful!

[@arielfille55]

Seriously!

[@kibibishaw1194]

That’s what I was thinking!!! 🫣🤯😩🙏🏽

[@garylivingston9052]

The modern day builders/developers don't care about history or unique properties. They could build 2-3 houses on that property.

[@JohnPrepuce]

@@garylivingston9052 - If they were allowed to, they would tear down the Statue of Liberty and put up condos. For some people, nothing is sacred except profit.

[@MrVvulf]

The Hu family should request the help of the National Register of Historic Places as well as the local zoning authorities to get some level of recognition for the property. Tax incentives can be part of the plan, perhaps enabling a trust for maintenance and stewardship for the long term. It would be a tragedy if the house built by Frank Lloyd Wright for his son was demolished.

[@grandreveler]

So glad that this house did not get demolished. It's a masterpiece. Thank you to the Hus for saving and restoring it.

[@anthonythompson9741]

The properties around the house have now been sold off by the current or recent owner and McMansions are being built all around it. It's a disgrace!

[@donpertuit1243]

What a treasure for our country how could destruction of this house be fair. 😊

[@zacka161]

As a wheelchair user, seeing a ramp access incorporated into a beautiful design as a feature to celebrate is really quite moving.

[@emilyv6910]

That’s the first thing I noticed too, amazing

[@deleteddata6671]

Literally

[@justthink5854]

yeah you would move down at 20 mph. great sculpture, but there is really no reason to raise this to a second level other than Wright's ego to use a ramp up for uncovered cars to bake in the sun and which would have to backed down in reverse. great that they've restored it, but it doesn't relate to it's site at all.

[@sharksport01]

It's great he elevated the house to escape scorpions and rattlesnakes.

[@MrDonkrypton]

@@justthink5854 : I'm sure, this is a walkway, not a driveway.

[@AudreyLMcFarland]

The to Hu family - Thank you! As an American, I am honored that you felt so passionate about preserving this house!

[@anthonythompson9741]

The properties around the house have now been sold off by the current or recent owner and McMansions are being built all around it. It's a disgrace!

[@MatthewHarrisStudio]

Thank you Bing and Amanda for preserving this beautiful masterpiece. Such a beautiful story on so many levels.

[@anthonythompson9741]

The properties around the house have now been sold off by the current or recent owner and McMansions are being built all around it. Disgraceful!

[@suzannemorrell439]

I remember when this was up for sale not that long ago., I hadn't realized a company had bought it and slated it for demolition. What a loss that would have been. We are so grateful to the Hu family for taking on this rescue and restoration. Thank you so very much.

[@anthonythompson9741]

The properties around the house have now been sold off by the current or recent owner and McMansions are being built all around it. It's disgraceful!

[@drakbar5957]

An architectural masterpiece now in the hands of loving caretakers. A sincere debt of gratitude to the Hus for their generosity and vision.

[@anthonythompson9741]

The properties around the house have now been sold off by the current or recent owner and McMansions are being built all around it. It's disgraceful!

[@JoelDavid678]

Such an honor to have told this story!! So proud of this video! 🥲🥲🥲

[@coolster124]

Is the house only one bedroom? There was only the primary that you showed

[@lovingmayberry307]

You should be proud! 👍😊

[@colors6692]

🤦🏿‍♀

[@Starfish2145]

Great job!

[@lilacer6841]

Beautiful house full of character

[@cheeririnaldo435]

Amazing that any builder would think to demolish a treasure like this and replace it with mediocre cookie cutter structures. I'm always grateful for people like this who are willing to preserve and protect such such unique homes.

[@anthonythompson9741]

The properties around the house have now been sold off by the current or recent owner and 'cookie cutter structures' are being built all around it. It's disgraceful!

[@beckyrubin3754]

How devastating would it have been to demolish this masterpiece? A million thanks to the Hu family, their vision and dedication to the restoration of a national treasure.

[@pamg2628]

Thank you to the Hu family for restoring this beautiful piece of history. This comes at a poignant moment after the disturbing news of the demolition of a historical house in LA.

[@pierre.a.larsen]

That is another masterpiece by Frank Lloyd Wright. A big thank you to the Hus for preserving the house. It would be a crime to tear it down.

[@katherinebeebe8293]

I had an opportunity to tour this house a couple of times. There's a guest house on the property that's just as amazing. Glad to see that it is being restored for future generations to appreciate.

[@amandao.8043]

Is the main house only one bedroom?

[@katherinebeebe8293]

@@amandao.8043 As I remember, the house has two very small bedrooms plus the master bedroom. The two bathrooms reminded me of the kind of bathrooms on a cruise ship.

[@katherinebeebe8293]

If anyone is interested, House Beautiful, November 1955 had a floor plan along with an article highlighting this historic house.

[@justthink5854]

@@amandao.8043 great sculpture, but there is really no reason to raise this to a second level other than Wright's ego to use a ramp up for uncovered cars to bake in the sun and which would have to backed down in reverse. great that they've restored it, but it doesn't relate to it's site at all.

[@kbrown1421]

@@justthink5854 That was not a ramp to drive up. It is just a wide walkway. There are two parking spaces under the house as well as covered parking a short distance away.

[@dubs31]

Thank you, Mr. Bing Hu and Ms. Amanda Hu. This was a real treat to visually experience, with the help of AD & The FLW foundation. Be well, all.

[@trevoclark]

HUGE thanks to Bing and Amanda for saving this!

[@hanskloss1331]

as a kid that ramp holds endless possibilities for fun rides on bikes , skateboards , etc

[@zb7293]

And when is elderly person it helps with Safeta, reduces chance off fall...

[@thebob01]

It's great to see Frank Lloyd Wright's genius preserved instead of being demolished

[@emmajilrowanna6772]

The decorative concrete blocks are stylized orange trees, referrencing the orange groves that surrounded the house when it was built.

[@persebra]

wow!

[@JacksonDreyer]

Ooo great call. That’s awesome

[@sujathaviswanathan7210]

This is not a house, but a masterpiece as Mr. Hu notes at the end of the video. Absolutely breathtaking! Love AD more and more for such meaningful content!

[@michaeljacobs8458]

Thank you Mr Hu and Amanda For saving the house and it’s legacy .

[@neilfowler3284]

Wonderful that the Hu family restored this. It would have been a tragic loss.

[@davidhorizon8401]

So glad someone with the skills and the love bought this house and is restoring it. It would be a tragedy if we were to lose it.

[@findingthatperfectspot4692]

Thank you, Mr Hu, for saving this incredible masterpiece. I can't believe it was scheduled for demolition. What a glorious piece of architecture!

[@melissahyatt9626]

I’ve been to Falling Water twice and now this is on my bucket list to see! So glad they stepped in and saved it. There is such a peace and serenity in Wright’s design.

[@barbarabonnette2705]

This house is taking my imagination away! Such a magnificent piece of art…..it lives and breathes the magic of movement and nature. It’s evident that this project was a labor of love.

[@najatm]

So typical people tearing down history for profit. Thank you Hu family for rescuing such a gem of historical architecture!

[@user-ug4oi5ls5w]

I've ridden my bike by this house many times, and peered through the fence, wondering about the story of this house. Thanks for tour!

[@lyarrastark6254]

I admire Frank Lloyd Wright's unique and beautiful architecture. Thank you to the Hu family for preserving and restoring this architectural jewel.

[@daiheadjai]

Way better than another celebrity McMansion video!

[@brianlee1311]

Amazing story. Inspirational. Uplifting. Touching. Many thanks to Bing and Amanda for saving this masterpiece. How this brilliant structure continues to bring families together in such a way is incredible. Love that this story takes a nice twist with the Asian connection on the American dream.

[@ShootItALBY]

Worth 15 minutes of my day. Just amazing to see and hear its history and materials FLR used 👏

[@frankpickrell]

Always loved how he kept plywood exposed and made it art.

[@cpi23]

so wonderful that they're restoring it together

[@MyaBritton]

A house he designed in the 1940’s is currently for sale in Kalamazoo MI. Such a beautiful house.

[@sandykwan817]

Thank you AD for posting! This is such a surprisingly moving video! The guide/narrator's referential telling of the story of the house, combined with the Hu family's dedication to preserving and restoring this building, is just (chef's kiss). FLW would have been so pleased. Bravo!

[@hermyt]

I have not heard much about Wright's spiral forms. This is a beautiful house and restoration.

[@jenny-bu4le]

what a grand yet cozy space. can’t believe anyone would think to tear this down. this is art and history

[@sikugord03]

I’m not usually a big fan of unusual homes but this for some reason I love. It feels serene. And I love the interior.

[@paxwallace8324]

Yeah this is my favorite Frank Loyd Wright house. Even more than the Waterfall House. I was born the year this house was completed

[@alexbrown9351]

Lovely video. If there were a FLW architecture tour BINGO card, "Compression & Release" would be the free space in the middle.

[@nextwave1314]

FLW was, and still is, the greatest architect. He was endlessly inventive and creative. No one comes even close. True genius.

[@theabrasileno1921]

Wright is such a legend. This house's design is timeless

[@BlueSaphire70]

May I join the many others who have thanked the Hu family for restoring and preserving this house. Thank you!

[@bretthemminger6133]

What an amazing story of saving such a masterpiece of architecture.

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

Special thanks to the Hu family!

[@tlockerk]

Given his life and the chaos and tragedy, it's understandable that spirals appealed to him. Plus the ramp is a GREAT entry for a life-long house.

[@heatherwind]

Just the thought that someone would be so calloused as to want to demolished this for a modern construction is horrifying. Bless the Hu family for rescuing and preserving it!

[@finaboykm]

Luckily to have been raised in the Buffalo area there were/are still numerous homes that he designed still alive and well taken care of. Seeing those who care to preserve Franks gift, there will never be enough “ thank you’s “ for what you have done now and for the future generations. Thank You…

[@gabrielbatiz8168]

This is great love the idea of a foreign person appreciating the art regardless of origin. So happy that he did this.

[@juliebarnett9812]

This is magnificent. I can't believe someone wanted to tear it down.

[@steveparsons6324]

Kudos to the Hu family for saving this iconic and beautiful masterpiece!

[@ResultsDrivenBusinessTraining1]

What an incredible piece of history. All of us are grateful that you kept it alive. But I can't help wonder - WHY WHY WHY didn't city designate this as a heritage building so it couldn't be demolished - EVER. It's an example of a genius. A giant of a person. His architecture was a gift to everyone one of us. We're all so lucky someone stepped in. Thank you!

[@shitzuation]

Bing & Amanda Hu *THANKYOU* for your love & respect for historic architecture! ❤

[@donaldfinch1411]

How have I never heard of this FLW piece before? Gorgeous.

[@mpc5584]

Wow what a classic... thank you for preserving this with your painstaking efforts!

[@hakukuze7947]

Fascinating piece. I probably learned more about design than many other videos I’ve watched. I’ve visited a few of Wright’s homes and always find them intriguing even if not warm. Great presenter with efficiency of words without the usual over flowering you see in so many videos.

[@lenahelz]

My MIL lives on the same street as this house and I’ve always wanted to see the inside!! A dream come true.

[@mikekuczynski1552]

What a wonderful place , he definitely had a different take on architecture. Thanks for bringing it back to life for us to see .

[@anthonypetty9288]

What a fantastic house! Massive thanks to the Hu family for saving and restoring this, and thank you for sharing this.

[@jeannettesalazar6442]

He is one of my favourites architects. 😊

[@TheLowJacq]

Thank you for preserving Phoenix history and part of the neighborhood that I grew up in.

[@coffeeisgood102]

I am not by any means a fan of modern architecture but I have to admit that this property is stunning. It appears to be not modern art for modern arts sake, but a carefully thought out plan to maximize space, functionality and emotions under one roof.

[@flatout420]

Every small details of the house is astounding

[@jonathan_careless]

The leaking roofs in all Wright's homes was another way he connected exterior with interior. ;)

[@sharksport01]

😂

[@AdamBechtol]

:p

[@GregNow]

👏🏻👏🏻❤ glad we have people ready to do things like that just to preserve bit of history! ❤

[@southhillfarm2795]

I love Frankie’s way of thinking and his use of common materials. Thanks for sharing.

[@tristenbuchanan5262]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of the continued love for Frank’s incredible architecture.

[@trails3597]

What a beautiful restauration and tribute to a great architect!

[@davecypress]

Fantastic!! Kudos AD for producing this to share the inspiring and remarkable restoration of an FLW treasure. One of the best posts as of late and a refreshing alternative to the celeb crib vids.

[@ruffinarector541]

Thank you Thank you for preserving this precious masterpiece!!!!

[@glennmartin6492]

That long approach pathway is something Wright incorporated into many houses including Falling Water in a modification.

[@kcook4243]

Falling Water house most familiar to me since I live in mid Atlantic

[@TerrySmith1953]

We visited Taliesin West when vacationing in the area, wish we had visited this house too, it's gorgeous! Thanks for saving it and showing it off in this video.

[@darrylnelson6264]

Thank you so much for restoring a piece of America.

[@lcarolynghearing854]

Such a beautiful video! Thank you for sharing a part of Mr Wrights thinking and eventual conclusion!!

[@glynislailann9056]

Thank you for this tour of one of the most beautiful examples of architectural art.

[@shiningbearable]

im so grateful to the HU family for saving this beautiful treasure. ... thank you three fold.... beautiful karma for you...

[@domdela5217]

You guys did a wonderful job of restoring the house. I love the unique features and elevating the cement block. I had to watch it again.

[@BenjamintheTortoise]

Remarkable attention to design and beautifully executed!! This is a very unique property among all of his other works... Thank you for sharing! Much love 💕😊

[@baggszilla]

Wow what a beautiful piece of architecture! Thank you so much for restoring and what a beautiful family story!

[@rustyfox81]

Beautiful house, my favourite Wright is the beach house in Carmel, cabin on the rocks.

[@Alodri]

Great house as well! I see it sold recently - $22M

[@lindabuono7893]

Amazing! So happy this house was restored to its amazing beauty.

[@anunabukia]

A fantastic story! On so many levels. Cheers, Bing and Amanda!

[@carlinkay1151]

How amazing is this house! A true visionary ….timeless architecture!

[@cesarparra6025]

I've seen videos of the hyper luxurious houses of the ultra rich, but this house beats them all, no luxury beats great organic design, if only there was a way to marry these concepts.

[@markkraus3598]

How beautiful! And what a honor to own & share 👍

[@ooodlesofdooodles9994]

I used to dance with Amanda her family is and has always been absolutely incredible!

[@d.s.douglas1281]

ThankYou ThankYou ThankYou Hu Family !!!❤

[@jamesbowie6925]

What an incredible piece of design and construction, simply beautiful

[@williamheadford9325]

Thanks for saving this superb building. Your dedication to the very finest detail will live on as a great credit to you. I Love to see such a building that is so unique and so happy to learn that the Demolition plans failed too. - Bill Headford - Cornwall, England.

[@ttaibe]

you lost me at that cement blocks can be beautiful. But I am glad this building was saved.

[@bitrage.]

Absolutely beautiful house, and the Architects that restored it are extremely skilled.....

[@deborahcaldwell9775]

This is wonderfully instructive, and the owners are a beautifully motivated. Thank you.

[@noahproblemo1257]

Thanks for saving this masterpiece of art and architecture.

[@lancecahill5486]

The most interesting and beautiful building that I have ever seen. Thank you all for sharing.

[@stephenhegarty]

I have always been a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright designs but I would love it if you did a short video on the talented craftsmen/women who brought these designs to life. The skill involved in the masonry and the woodwork is next level and is just not seen these days.

[@ingmarvanderhoek6314]

Absolutely beautiful story and what a wonderful house this family saved.

[@ericq9049]

Thank you for such a wonderful experience.

[@newry12]

Amazing,this building needs to be a living museum for all to see.I have been a follower of Frank Lloyd Wright but never knew about this house until now.Beautiful reconstruction but the pool and landscaping needs to done as original drawings to make it whole. Well done.

[@Lacoux]

Why would you destroy that masterpiece for 2 spec houses? Soulless developers ugh

[@Neojhun]

Mr Krabs: I Like Money!

[@Lacoux]

@@Neojhun Basiclly

[@donwarner6925]

Ask Chris Pratt.

[@crawkn]

This is one of the most beautiful homes I have ever seen, to my taste.