I was an apprentice at Taliesin in the 1980's and know this building well.. I helped encase these drawings in mylar when the Getty museum gave Taliesin a grant for that purpose.. (One of the many hidden gems of the Archive...) Not my favorite period of his work, but he had several exclusive clients during this period which benefited from his explorations with these forms... The most famous of which is the Guggenheim Museum..
What an awesome career! Used to go to the Guggenheim in another lifetime. Drove through Spring Green and was so blown away. Thank you! (Even the cows somehow matched the places) ~
I can't imagine Frank Lloyd Wright ever building anything on a mountaintop. As arrogant as he was, he had respect for the shapes that nature gives him to work with. I just can't see it.
I had a similar thought when first seeing this project. How is this harmonious with nature? Turns out the client had the same complaint, but Frank Lloyd Wright argued it was designed with the landscape in mind.
@@bmolitor615 Many! And one of the striking features is the way the almost snuggle into their setting so well. One in particular in Berkeley, Ca... I didn't know there was an FLW house on the road, but noticed one that just fit its location so well, and it was one of his. I don't know what you're talking about. He was an arrogant person from what I've heard, but I see his designs as being complementary to their setting, rather than dominating it. Would love to see exceptions.
In fact the location was Sugarloaf Mountain, which is owned by a non-profit established by Gordon Strong, the owner that Wright dealt with back in the day, and is a park open to the public. You can walk, cycle or drive to the top of it with nice views of Montgomery County. Factoid: the US government requested the property for a retreat for the President but Strong loathed FDR and refused so in the end what is Camp David was acquired instead.
Tower of babel .....with roundness instead of the flat rectangles we know him for (or like an upside-down Guggenheim as illustrated!) This was great, never knew about it and I too would have imagined it like your opening images.
The client also thought it looked like the tower of babel! The spiral is a great concept for cars, I would have loved to see a prairie style ziggurat tho!
It's a very American idea. I think someone would inevitably damage it or get hurt. I think a sphere shaped building with offices and./or businesses that could look out over an indoor courtyard could be nice
How can you 'experience' a building from a metal box on wheels/ car? I have always loved FLWs wonderful architecture, BUT that doesn't mean he was correct in all he designed or the philosophy behind them.
Luckily this monstrosity was never built. Today it would probably be an abandoned ruin left to itself to rot away. Car centric architecture has been the ruin of enough urban areas and natural beauty spot without building architectural eye sores and carbuncles on top of mountains.
Have you never been to a first-run movie at a drive-in theatre? Absolutely a way of life back in the day, and great fun for family and friends! In Scottsdale, AZ there is what was the auditorium portion of what was mainly a drive-in church. It’s a beautifully designed building with great care taken in the huge windowed section that would have been viewed by the faithful in parked cars just like drive-in movie theatre of the day. Though not my idea of meaningful worship r community I can see how, in this car-obsessed Phoenix metropolitan area, sone faithful would have been attracted to this convenient touch with grace…
Being in your car is a pretty crappy way to experience a mountaintop. It cuts off all your senses so you barely experience anything. Probably one of FLW’s bad concepts .
Couped up in a go cart. No thank you. Less cars. We need city planners focused on humans and the environment not centered on turbocharged speed racing idiots.
I was an apprentice at Taliesin in the 1980's and know this building well.. I helped encase these drawings in mylar when the Getty museum gave Taliesin a grant for that purpose.. (One of the many hidden gems of the Archive...) Not my favorite period of his work, but he had several exclusive clients during this period which benefited from his explorations with these forms... The most famous of which is the Guggenheim Museum..
WOW! Thanks for sharing your experience at Taliesin! Thats so cool!
What an awesome career! Used to go to the Guggenheim in another lifetime. Drove through Spring Green and was so blown away. Thank you! (Even the cows somehow matched the places) ~
You had me at MYLAR ...only a draftsman knows what that is 😊
I have always admired Wright's designs, the guy was miles ahead of the times and extremely tasteful.
I can't imagine Frank Lloyd Wright ever building anything on a mountaintop. As arrogant as he was, he had respect for the shapes that nature gives him to work with. I just can't see it.
I had a similar thought when first seeing this project. How is this harmonious with nature? Turns out the client had the same complaint, but Frank Lloyd Wright argued it was designed with the landscape in mind.
Ha, think again.
whaaaat... have you ever even looked at a FLW creation...
@@bmolitor615 Many! And one of the striking features is the way the almost snuggle into their setting so well. One in particular in Berkeley, Ca... I didn't know there was an FLW house on the road, but noticed one that just fit its location so well, and it was one of his. I don't know what you're talking about. He was an arrogant person from what I've heard, but I see his designs as being complementary to their setting, rather than dominating it. Would love to see exceptions.
I liked the houses that you showed. The unbuilt ziggurat doesn't appeal but oh well
Like. Anything he did
Location was South Mountain in Maryland. It’s now a rest area on I 70.
In fact the location was Sugarloaf Mountain, which is owned by a non-profit established by Gordon Strong, the owner that Wright dealt with back in the day, and is a park open to the public. You can walk, cycle or drive to the top of it with nice views of Montgomery County. Factoid: the US government requested the property for a retreat for the President but Strong loathed FDR and refused so in the end what is Camp David was acquired instead.
Maryvale hospital in west phoenix is kinda built this "automobile " trip way
Perfect for pandemics
Reminds me of the 1936 proposal to build automobile access to the second deck restaurant on the Eiffel Tower
Omg no!!
Never knew that was a proposal!
🧠Thanks for the incite on more concepts of his work!
Geniuses can't be box in with limited creativity!
Kool video, man. Thanks. I never knew about this project gone bust.
Appreciate the positive feedback! Me either! Interesting concept
Tower of babel .....with roundness instead of the flat rectangles we know him for (or like an upside-down Guggenheim as illustrated!) This was great, never knew about it and I too would have imagined it like your opening images.
The client also thought it looked like the tower of babel! The spiral is a great concept for cars, I would have loved to see a prairie style ziggurat tho!
Strong was right, it's terrible. A highway on off ramp that leads nowhere and back again.
Thank you for this video.
not really forgotten if it was never made. you should see the forgotten space ships i came up with when i was 4.
2:48 Jabba's Palace?? 😂😂
It's a very American idea. I think someone would inevitably damage it or get hurt. I think a sphere shaped building with offices and./or businesses that could look out over an indoor courtyard could be nice
I pronounce cigarettes like ziggurats because I talk cool like that.
Haha *no smoking in the ziggurat
Personally anti car person here so … no but it’s a work of art.
How can you 'experience' a building from a metal box on wheels/ car?
I have always loved FLWs wonderful architecture, BUT that doesn't mean he was correct in all he designed or the philosophy behind them.
Cant win them all! Robie house is probably my favorite FLW project
it looks like jabba the hutt's palace
You might be onto something jp lol
Very cool, I had no idea.
Frank is a man of many mysteries
i do not own a car. can i experience the Ziggurat in an Uber?
Yes, but only if you and the uber driver are wearing Batman and Robin customs.
Luckily this monstrosity was never built. Today it would probably be an abandoned ruin left to itself to rot away. Car centric architecture has been the ruin of enough urban areas and natural beauty spot without building architectural eye sores and carbuncles on top of mountains.
Hang out with friends - in a car ????
Sounds like the most boring way to spend time with friends.
Have you never been to a first-run movie at a drive-in theatre? Absolutely a way of life back in the day, and great fun for family and friends! In Scottsdale, AZ there is what was the auditorium portion of what was mainly a drive-in church. It’s a beautifully designed building with great care taken in the huge windowed section that would have been viewed by the faithful in parked cars just like drive-in movie theatre of the day. Though not my idea of meaningful worship r community I can see how, in this car-obsessed Phoenix metropolitan area, sone faithful would have been attracted to this convenient touch with grace…
Wow! Drive-in church! I’ll look into this, thanks for sharing!
Being in your car is a pretty crappy way to experience a mountaintop. It cuts off all your senses so you barely experience anything. Probably one of FLW’s bad concepts .
What the heck?
Thank God that this hoax never became a reality !
It's ugly in every conceivable way.
Couped up in a go cart. No thank you. Less cars. We need city planners focused on humans and the environment not centered on turbocharged speed racing idiots.
Stay in your car? How ridiculous. 😮👎
Only in America.
We Aussies like to walk and explore.
M 🦘🏏😎
But you like to buy your alcohol while still in the car, don't you? Or is that no longer a thing?