Wright's Taliesin & Rock House - West of Madison, WI

A day of exploring the local "architects" work! 

Taliesin - home and design studio of architect Frank Lloyd Wright is located 2.5 miles south of Spring Green, WI.  The property was developed on land that originally belonged to Wright's maternal family. The land was settled by Wright's maternal grandfather, Richard Lloyd Jones in 1858 for farming. By the 1870s, Richard's sons had taken over operation of the farm, and they invited Wright to work during summers as a farmhand.   He loved the relaxing and inspiring country side.  Wright's aunts Jennie and Nell began a co-educational school, Hillside Home School, in the family valley in 1887 and let Wright design the building; this was Wright's first independent commission. In 1896, Wright's aunts again commissioned Wright, this time to build a windmill.

Taliesin I was completed in 1911, 2 major remodels were completed after fires.  Such famous Wright’s design were done at this location i.e. Fallingwater, Johnson Wax Headquarters & many others. Mr. Wright had money problems and at least 3 known wives, with many female acquaintances! Wright used this house to test his designs; the student’s would do the labor.  You can see many of the construction imperfections throughout the house.  

Today his architectural school still operates on the property during the fair weather months; they go to Scottsdale in the winter.

Please note: NO interior pictures were allowed in any of the buildings.

Visitor Center designed by Wright

Part of the Architectural School

School with skylights - front

Back

Just one of his many Oriental pieces. 

The windmill, everyone said it would not handle the winds.  Well it is still standing today.

Wright like to bring nature into his designs, here the roof is allowed to go around the tree.

The house - located on the hill overlooking the valley below

He incorporated a viewing walk so his wife could see her gardens and the valley.

Gardens

View of the house from the main highway

Barn that was located next to the house

The next stop in the same area was the House on the Rock.  

In 1945, Alex Jordan climbed a rock and his imagination never stopped!  Built on top of a 60 ft. rock shows off Alex's imagination and desire to make a show piece.  Rooms are filled with eclectic collections.  

Distant view of the cantilevered "Infinity Room"

Beautiful Gardens

He had a Carousel collection of unique animals 

Dining Room with table built into the wall

Small hallways and low ceilings!!

Infinity Room

Looking down from the Infinity Room

Numerous musical instruments playing and on display throughout the house. 

Guess when you have $$$ you can use your imagination and just keep spending.