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. 😊

[@nikos5566]

Amen to that!

[@petermgruhn]

Masterpiece means something. It doesn't mean "any random piece by a master."

[@Cloudryder9]

⁠@@anthonythompson9741It’s not the current owners. It was more than likely the Spec Builder that was referred to in the video, or a previous land owner who sold the land to the spec builder. Land is expensive and stewardship of historical houses are not cheap. The fault lies with the cities for not having better building and land regulations.

[@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

[@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.

[@ItsMistaDawg]

@justthink5854 You might be able to fit a golf cart onto that walkway you claim is for cars..

[@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!

[@johnye4433]

Can you please restore the pool please

[@szczurrat2402]

One of my favorite pieces ever. Looks great. Thank you.

[@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!

[@MSKim6563]

Corporate Vandalism 😤

[@kevinbrown5093]

Ugh… real estate in the valley is cut throat … no history to honor … just buy and sell 😢

[@reginaldbarnes6304]

I wish to thank the Hu’s for preserving and passionately restoring this amazing house.

[@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!

[@BabyJesus66]

​@@anthonythompson9741how many times are you gonna copy and paste this reply on every comment?

[@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!

[@luckymanindeed]

I grew up in that neighborhood in the 60’s and 70’s. That house was an important part of Arcadia and one of the unique bits of architecture there. Thanks to the Hu’s for saving it.

[@NoseyFloridaGirl]

I can’t believe they were going to demolish this treasure. Thank you for rescuing this gem .

[@seamusduffy983]

When I was young, my father took me to see Taliesen West. In the gift shop, a friendly staff member pointed out a coffee table book that had every FLW house and address. We proceeded to comb the Valley of the Sun in 2011, eventually find his son's house, despite it being fenced off and apparently in a sorry state. My father passed in 2015, but was always forlorn about the state of what he called FLW's most unique house. Happy to see somebody saw this house's beauty and restored it

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@JoelDavid678]

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

[@Celana1]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@amandao.8043]

@justthink5854 ? I was trying to figure out if there was a second bedroom on the same level.

[@gabrielzubin414]

While watching this video, I was truly overcome with emotion... A beautiful testimony of father-son love... This house must be declared a world heritage site by the UN, in my opinion.

[@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.

[@dbmail545]

One of his most beautiful house designs. I can believe this was built in an orange grove. Definitely a house you want to see out of than be looked into.

[@MikeHarris1984]

Thank you the Hu family for rescuing this peice of history! I was outraged when i heard this property was slated for demolition for new properties for a spec builder to build new homes in its place for quick money... This restoration is absolutely beautiful! I'm so glad you were able to rescue this amazing peice of history and restore it to its glory! This lot and being a FLW house in Archadia, this is a VERY EXPENSIVE property now and worth a small fortune. I hope it can be slated as a historic property making it where it can NOT be changed or demo'd in the future.

[@BlueSaphire70]

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

[@Oldskoolraver-OG]

The fact that it was bought to be demolished is exactly what's wrong in the world . Too many with money don't care about history only the future. Luckily there's still people like these who do care ❤

[@michet1688]

Agree!

[@lulumoon6942]

The Hu's have conserved a part of important American artistic history, thank you! 👍😍🙏

[@garyb2392]

Wow! I’ve seen many pictures and documentaries of other FLW houses and this is the first time I’ve ever seen this house! For me a very close second to “ Falling Water” my favorite of his houses. I’m shocked someone would even think about tearing it down! Thanks to the new owners for understanding the significance of saving such an amazing architectural masterpiece !

[@timothyfinlay5062]

Not every building deserves to be saved, but this one sure does. I lived in Phoenix during the tribulations with this house, and am thrilled at what has happened. I was recently at Falling Water, again, and this house feels the same. Pure Wright.

[@szczurrat2402]

This house was a total celebration of life and legacy. One of my favorite F.L.W.'s.

[@trevoclark]

HUGE thanks to Bing and Amanda for saving this!

[@lyarrastark6254]

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

[@thebob01]

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

[@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.

[@asdasdjsjsjs4213]

This is a beautiful house and I deeply thank the Hu family for preserving architectural history. Simply all the spaces are gorgeous.

[@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!

[@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!

[@Spacebanana-im5qt]

Wow, what an amazing house. I've seen a lot of Wright's designs, but this one is my new favorite, along with Fallingwater. What a stroke of luck that somone bought it with the intention of saving it.

[@samir6047]

Fallingwater is insanely amazing.

[@francesservoss5965]

So glad you saved this beautiful house. Frank Lloyd Wright was amazing.

[@michaeljacobs8458]

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

[@randomhouse708]

We are so very fortunate Mr. Hu and Amanda, that you have taken up this labor of love, and have rescued this most uniquely beautiful and irreplaceable piece of American and human history,, and have ensured its existance into the future. Thank you so very much.

[@irismania]

Excellent presentation ! Frank sure knew how to show the love of nature in all of his works. They always take it in !

[@herbertlaughlin2644]

What a beautiful structure, brings tears to my eyes just to look at it. It's timeless like all of his buildings.

[@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...

[@Pbav8tor]

It was built to hold a family.

[@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.

[@cater4218]

I love this house, its harmony, light, simplicity and including the views of the nature all around.

[@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!

[@sylviacalhoun539]

My thoughts exactly! Should be on the National Register.

[@davidcopperfield-DickensBook]

I would ♥️♥️♥️ to tour everyone of FLR builds. The location, the materials, the theme, the floor plan, etc. FLR had dimensions in his mind no one else had. He could visualize finished buildings with all the details! What a gift he was to all of us. His buildings are so exciting and alive. They inspire us and open our mind to "possibilities". Magnificent. Would you like to do a FLR tour? Click!

[@Alice_Walker]

The house, the restoration, the filming and the editing are all BEAUTIFUL. Thank you ✨

[@MsCookiemonster0]

Wow! What a beautiful house. It has a lovely mathematical look about it. Fibonacci-like structure. He did say Frank used the design of a shell in its construction. The perfect mathematical equation. Gorgeous!

[@nextwave1314]

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

[@LincolnFerver]

Thank you so much for saving this beautiful piece of architectural history!

[@AGenerationJones]

Thank you for preserving this gem! ❤

[@Novilicious]

As a dad myself, I appreciated this story in addition to the magnificent architecture

[@sophien5416]

You can almost feel the ancestral energies of the Wrights calling the Hu family to restore their familial masterpiece as part of their own destinies. ❤

[@FoxyfloofJumps]

Thank you for bringing this house to my attention. Frank Lloyd Wright was a master of his craft, and never stopped learning, experimenting, or improving his whole life long. Absolutely stunning restoration, and I LOVE IT.

[@maxic2386]

To be on this project was such a dream. Dream crew, dream story, once in a lifetime build. What an honor!

[@dazirb]

Thank you, Bing & Amanda!

[@GGLD888]

Always amazed by his creative and engineering genius. Ever the delight.

[@jisanlee2360]

Only one word comes to mine: masterpiece. The cinematography, the unraveling of an extensive yet simple story, and tranquil music selection all add to the watching experience. I really savored every second. Thank you.

[@jameswilson1360]

Absolutely timeless. Absolutely Stunning..........!!

[@TheMattsterling]

As a person in a wheelchair and a fan of architecture, I am speechless. This is beautiful.

[@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.

[@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!

[@steveparsons6324]

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

[@rockyshore7017]

What a charming story... and what a building! The flow of the interior space is amazing... another demonstration of Wright's genius.

[@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.

[@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

[@Matt-ex4ex]

That is amazing - thank you! I thought maybe “elephant head”.

[@grichard4398]

Frank Lloyd Wright was a genius! Thank you for saving and preserving that masterpiece and sharing that amazing story!

[@grey-spark]

This is one of the most beautiful houses I've ever seen. I wish they'd remake the pool. It really does add a lot to the wow factor.

[@lenahelz]

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

[@ConnieWeisman]

I knew someone who studied at both east and west. And became an inspiration to architecture in northeast Florida. Thank you for this wonderful story. I am so grateful!

[@jenny-bu4le]

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

[@dollylove3430]

Thank you for saving this house💕

[@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.

[@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…

[@mickjen]

My mom was raised in Buffalo and wanted to be an architect. She settled on being an interior decorator, and I spent many weekends touring open houses. Never got to walk through the one in our city.

[@shiningbearable]

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

[@neilfowler3284]

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

[@johnny4eel]

Have often wondered about the acoustics in Frank Lloyd Wright designs. Thank you for giving it a mention in this fascinating video.

[@alrast95]

The positivity here is heartwarming. Thank you, everyone!

[@chrisbernard6811]

Thankyou for saving this architectural masterpiece. I have always love frank loyd wrights buildings but I didn’t know of this one. Thanks for sharing.

[@terenitup6916]

Thanx for saving this house! FLW is the OG

[@learningsmarthabits]

this is beautiful. A magnificent display of love.

[@najatm]

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

[@anthonypetty9288]

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

[@ShootItALBY]

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

[@juliebarnett9812]

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

[@ismepayne1959]

A very beautiful house that just touches your soul and heart. And thank you to the Hu family for everything they have done for the house.

[@theabrasileno1921]

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

[@levenscott645]

Wonderful to see this fascinating house restored. Thank you to the new owners.

[@darrylnelson6264]

Thank you so much for restoring a piece of America.

[@hermyt]

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

[@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.

[@adelaferreira4575]

Thank you so much for preserving this arquitectural jewel ,Frank Lloyd Wright is one of my favorite Arquitect ,it’s a beautiful house with this incredible design ,thanks for sharing the result of a great restoration !

[@dhj-i8g]

Way better than another celebrity McMansion video!

[@janneywar8518]

i love how his dad expreses himself, he is so calm. it makes me happy

[@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

[@Mel71875]

Wow this is very interesting and awesome video. I have always been a fan of FLW architecture.

[@SetInStoneNow]

What an amazing building. So uplifting. Perfect background music, too.

[@CarolinePaul-rn1ji]

Of all of the flw houses this is my favorite. Many thanks to the Hu's.

[@bcbigfoot112]

All Frank Lloyd Wright homes should be classified as national historic treasures.

[@rickywilliams8844]

I can't believe that someone would consider tearing it down even the thought of the conversation is unbelievable sometimes you just have step over those people and show them the Vision. now they Want it.thank you Sir for saving it. 🎉🎉🎉😊

[@DawnOldham]

I went to high school very near the college in Lakeland, Florida that Frank Lloyd Wright designed. So I've known him to be a "big deal" for many years. He has a very recognizable style, and deserves the fame he has.