A Legacy in Light
Modern Illumination for a Timeless Masterpiece
Nestled in the Arizona desert, Taliesin West stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a living testament to Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural legacy. Originally built as his winter home and “living laboratory,” this historic site became a playground for Wright’s architectural experimentation, blending with its natural surroundings in Wright’s trademark style. Taliesin West embodies his philosophy of design in harmony with nature, making any updates to the property—especially in lighting—a careful balance between preservation and innovation. Working with Lutron, Wipliance was honored with the opportunity to bring the lighting for this historic home into the 21st century.
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Preserving History with Modern Innovation
Working on a historic home requires a delicate touch, especially with lighting, which is critical to showcasing Wright’s design. As a nearly century-old site, Taliesin West reflects various lighting eras, from early natural lighting and incandescent bulbs to today’s LED advancements. The latest lighting update had to be noninvasive, respecting the original fixtures and design. Through a meticulous approach, Wipliance collaborated with Lutron to introduce new lighting solutions without altering the site’s historic integrity.
Advanced Lighting Solutions
Ketra’s advanced tunable lighting was the perfect solution for maintaining Taliesin West's ambiance without compromising its original design. Ketra lighting allows for versatile settings: bright, natural white light during the day to complement Arizona's sunshine and a warm, campfire-like glow at night, mirroring the natural hues and materials Wright favored. Additional modern lighting solutions, like Lumaris Tape Light in Wright's drafting studio and Lightbar Slim for layered lighting, add depth to each space. These touches bring out the rich textures of the stone walls, allowing visitors to experience the property in an exciting new light.
Building on the Legacy of Taliesin West
The new lighting has improved the visitor experience at Taliesin West without taking anything away. The carefully chosen tones and layers highlight Wright’s architectural details, from rugged stone facades to open, sunlit spaces, without altering any original elements. The easily adjustable Ketra system also enables the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to adapt the lighting for different events and times of day, keeping the site’s beauty intact while honoring Wright’s spirit of innovation. The overall result? Everyone feels the new lighting project safeguards Taliesin West’s legacy, using innovative tools and techniques just as Wright did in his time.
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