The Architectural Shelter Adventure

My scene transitioned from unusual Joshua Trees to the awe-inspiring giant Saguaro on the high desert, along with the strong sun and wind. I wanted to discover the architectural creation that is settled somewhere, composed with functional structure from the ceiling to the floor, embracing nature, arts and each other and crafting all the furniture and décor for the interiors, as a striking original “shelter” ode to desert space. 

Wright’s shelter on the desert

Taliesin West by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright in Scottsdale, Arizona is hard to miss. Its impressive exterior form is impeccably composed and embedded within its natural surroundings, including cantilever roofs, low level planes, wide windows and an open floor plan, reflecting an architecture native to “Prairie style”. 

Taliesin West in Arizona. 

I could see a series of wood framed structures clad in white canvas and set above massive stone and concrete walls. The mixture of concrete and stone is not only native to its site, but forms an integral connection to the ground. The canvas roof stretched below the beams and forms a translucent ceiling that glows in the sunlight. 

Redwood formwork was used to position the flat faces of the stones outward, with gaps filled with concrete to form the stone walls and structure. 

When I stepped inside, the cooling feeling came immediately, like having a protective shelter, even with the intense desert sun outside. The design draws deep inspiration from his desert camp, blending seamlessly into the vast Arizona landscape, with abstract and dramatic rock formations set against stunning and colorful skies. 

I sat at the elegant red chair; the wide glass doors opened interior to exterior. Wow! The view was mesmerizing: the lines, light and shadow undulating in harmony, a breathing fusion of nature and design. I expect the summer sun would be blocked by the “shelter” perfectly, it largely preserves the qualities of the tent like structure, in tune with the rhythms of the earth.  

I captured every aspect of design and detail in his shelter, a collection of art, artifacts, furnishings and prototypes. 
I glimpsed into Wright’s aesthetics in furniture, reflecting the color palette of the era. 

The canvas roofing system and Usonian flat roof is a series of horizontal planes, reaching into the desert, and breaking down the interior spatial definition. The rich red hue from the redwood, combined with the earthy, sandy hues from the concrete and the stone creates a deep connection between the house and landscape, giving a sense of relieve from the heat, a fresh feel in the desert. 

It is not just one building but a collection of interconnected spaces, seamlessly linked by terraces, studios, gardens and pools. 
I walked into a true functional shelter, one that goes beyond mere walls and a roof, feeling the natural ventilation providing shade from the harsh desert sun.

I captured Wright’s design vision, where natural surroundings and efficient use of materials are integral components. It is minimal and void of clutter, embodying architecture in harmony with nature. 

The Architectural Vision of Paolo Soleri

I took a long drive to explore Arcosanti (An Urban Laboratory) by Italian-born architect Paolo Soleri, blending architecture and ecology as two parts of the same entity, emphasizing people’s connection to each other in the community and to nature. As I entered the space, the handcrafted ceramics and bronze wind bells and the beautiful melody greeted me. 

My eyes were drawn to the structure in concrete, glass, and steel that could last for generations with minimal maintenance. I looked closer at the concrete. Wow! Its texture and smoothness impressed me, even after more than 50 years, they still look so “fresh”. Whether it is natural materials in gray ash, silt or artificial materials in glass, steel, wood and concrete, under the desert’s sunlight and air, they are integrated into the whole, showing their own structural symbolism, the philosophy of its science and building reflected in the structure. I have caught Soleri’s vision. 

I glimpsed into the canyon through large circular window design at Arcosanti, Arizona. 
Arcosanti takes inspiration from indigenous cliff dwellings, using sustainable materials to blend cities with nature. 
The subtle details on the concrete wall impressed me. 

The strong sunlight reflects on the concrete walls. “The depth of the room is predicated on sun angles”, our architectural tour guide told us, “In winter, the sunlight reaches all the way inside.” It brings efficiency and environmental intelligence to the structures of human life. It is a true functional shelter also. 

I loved to observe the structure of large circular windows integrated into the concrete walls. 
The roof designs admit the maximum amount of sunlight in the winter and a minimal amount during the summer.
I noticed the temperature drop as I went down to the bottom of Crafts III, the bedrock peeking through the concrete. 

I kept walking and observing each subtle detail, the wind caressed my hair along with the strong sun, as outside bending trees and a ceramic bells performance whispered to my ears, connecting the footprint of Arcosanti, Soleri’s architectural dream and glimpsing into the future of sustainable living and beyond. This place was intended for living, farming, working, entertaining and as art studios, all within proximity to one another, thus eliminating the need of vehicles, in turn minimizing the human impact on the environment.

This might be the reason I loved this place: it was built entirely by workshoppers and volunteers. Until now, current residents, students, volunteers and visitors live in multi-use space and around this communal hub. Architecture and nature met, along with soul, the lifestyle I always pursue. 

The view of bronze foundry. The structure of the apse resembles quarter-sphere hollows of Romanesque cathedrals where the center gives way to side chapels.
Overlooking the open landscape at the Vaults, something special came to me, a bold fusion of architecture and nature. 

Nestled in the heart of the design is Arcosanti as it is today. Soleri’s vision continues. The project may never be completed, but its incomplete form still showcases the ideas and dream of arcology as a living example. We might find inspiration from his arcology philosophy.

Due to the long distances between each architectural shelter I wanted to visit, it took me three or more hours to drive. Thanks to these long drives, I had a chance to witness the beautiful Arizona colored sky from dawn to dark, the magnificent desert landscape, an intense dust storm, and to feel tiredness. This was one special part of my experience on this road trip. 

I experienced a dust storm when I headed back to Tucson. 

A journey through time: Historic Wigwam Motel 

Did you know where the inspiration came from for the iconic Disney Pixar’s Cars? Did you know the design for “Sally’s Cozy Cone Motel” is based on the distinctive Wigwam Motel on Route 66? 

I traveled further away to explore historic Wigwam Motel (another unique shelter) located in Holbrook, Arizona, which transported me back in time – back-road explorers time, creating an authentic road trip memory.  The motel owner was inspired by the original Wigwam Village designed by Frank A. Redford in 1937, a pioneer in shaping the Great American roadside, figuring out how to get people out of their cars and into motel rooms. 

When I saw Wigwam Village’s white teepees and distinct neon sign “Sleep and Eat in a Wigwam” at the dark, my tiredness was forgotten.

I strolled through the meticulously preserved Wigwam Motel grounds, took a glimpse at its unique Wigwam-shaped structures and vintage-colored cars display in front of the Wigwam’s teepees, sensed the classic charm and intact spirit that it inspired. 

Each concrete and steel teepee rests on a base with a diameter of 14 feet, rising to 32 feet. But the rooms inside are more spacious than they look from the outside. 

A vivid picture of my teepee remains deep in my memory: all featuring the original handmade hickory furnishings, back to 1950s, from bed sheets to desk lamp; a desk and chair in the center; a TV on the wall; a tiny shower stall on the curved walls; a very noisy old air conditioning and heater, they are very basic and rustic, but functional enough.

I could clearly hear the trains passing on the tracks out back. Despite the noise, I still slept deeply. Staying at the Wigwam Motel, I experienced a journey through time, back to the nostalgia of a bygone era, a testament of simple pleasure and architectural shelter charm.

I was roaming in the simple atmosphere, even if it is not fancy. 

The Giant Saguaro

I drove through the scenic Kenny Road to Saguaro National Park over the Sonoran Desert, Tucson, through those diverse desert plants, as I got close to the awe-inspiring saguaros and witnessed stunning sunsets that paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. My heart was overwhelmed by its wonderful grandeur that even now is unforgettable.

“The world offers itself to your imagination.” – Mary Oliver 

Most profound were the enormous cacti inviting me to slow down, enjoying their company in the strong sun, even as I was in a little bit of a rush to drive around 411 miles back to Nevada. The air was still, my mind became quiet, I took pause to soak up the endless abyss of Saguaros and mountain views and sunshine, to discover each unique shape of Saguaros, to respect these majestic giants which live hundreds of years. Oh! Saguaros are ancient storytellers inscribing their tales into the stars; Saguaros have spines; and you are each sharp and timeless! 

I met the giant saguaro. 
Slowing down to appreciate something profoundly rooted in the essence of the earth. 

The End

As the sun set, I gazed through the front windshield of the car, to the vast mountains far away, with sparse grass on both sides of the road. I saw those unusual resilient Joshua Trees again – back to the beginning of the trip. The road did not merely take me to a new destination, it took me inward. The last road near the end of my trip, I know I bring something back home: dream, architectural inspiration, big sky, art, design, memories, tiredness and courage… (of course, the desert hat).

Am I at the beginning or the end of my journey? Maybe both. 

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