Mid Century Modern Scene:  Phoenix, Arizona

Mid Century Modern in Arizona? You bet! In 1937, renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright built a summer home and studio complex on the southern slope of the McDowell range outside of Scottsdale. He paid just $3.50 per acre for this winter getaway, named Taliesin, where he would invite other architects, students and family.

With Taliesin just 30 minutes away, it wasn’t long before Mid Century Modern architecture began to seep into Phoenix. Architects like Al Beadle, Bennie Gonzalez and Bing Hu won commissions to create commercial buildings and homes using new materials, organic shapes and clean lines. Mid Century Modern architecture fit right into the Phoenix land- and city-scape.  

Wright explains why:  “Arizona needs its own architecture… [its] long, low, sweeping lines, up-tilting planes. Surface patterned after such abstraction in line and color as find ‘realism’ in the patterns of the rattlesnake, the Gila monster, the chameleon, and the saguaro, cholla or staghorn – or is it the other way around—are inspiration enough.”

Prominent Phoenix Mid Century Modern Architects:

• Frank Lloyd Wright
• Al Beadle
• Bennie Gonzalez
• Bing Hu
• Mark Candelaria
• Ralph Haver

Phoenix Mid Century Modern Buildings:

• • Taliesin West by Frank Lloyd Wright
  • Haverhood Homes by Ralph Haver
  • Roman Roads Complex by Al Beadle
  • Marlen Grove
  • Windemere
  • Arizona Biltmore Resort by Frank Lloyd Wright
  • First Christian Church by Frank Lloyd Wright
  • Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium by Frank Lloyd Wright

Phoenix Mid Century Modern Events:  

• Modern Phoenix Week

Phoenix Mid Century Modern Societies:  

• Modern Phoenix
• AIA Phoenix Metro

Phoenix Mid Century Modern Museums/Exhibitions:  

• Phoenix Art Museum
• Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum
• Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

Phoenix Mid Century Modern Tour Companies:

• Copenhagen Imports
• Taliesin Preservation