41°22′58.95″N 73°44′18.51″W / 41.3830417°N 73.7384750°W / 41.3830417; -73.7384750
53-498: Massaro House is an architecturally significant residence on privately owned Petre Island in Lake Mahopac , New York , roughly 50 miles north of New York city. Inspired by architect Frank Lloyd Wright , the home's design and construction have had a complex and controversial history. Wright's plan was initially known as the "Chahroudi House", for the client who commissioned it back in 1949, and for whom Wright designed and built
106-408: A building: a place of residence, a place of business, and a place to learn. Wright described it like this: "Finally I learned of a site twenty-six miles from Phoenix , across the desert of the vast Paradise Valley. On up to a great mesa in the mountains. On the mesa just below McDowell Peak we stopped, turned, and looked around. The top of the world." An investment of over $ 10,000 was needed to dig
159-488: A commission from engineer Ahmed Chahroudi to build a house on a 10-acre (40,000 m ) island he owned in Lake Mahopac , Petre (alternatively spelled "Petra", from the Latin for "rock", reflecting the prominence where the home was to be constructed). Chahroudi would later state that during a lunch meeting with Wright and Edgar Kaufmann, the owner of Wright's celebrated Fallingwater , the architect told Kaufmann: "When I finish
212-434: A commission from engineer Ahmed Chahroudi to build a house on a 10-acre (40,000 m) island he owned in Lake Mahopac , Petre (alternatively spelled "Petra", from the Latin for "rock", reflecting the prominence where the home was to be constructed). Chahroudi would later state that during a lunch meeting with Wright and Edgar Kaufmann, the owner of Wright's celebrated Fallingwater , the architect told Kaufmann: "When I finish
265-433: A motif borrowed from Fallingwater, where they descend to the stream that home is built upon, Bear Run. Massaro explained that had the stairs been included in his design they would have descended into 3 feet (0.91 m) of water, disregarding that the flight could have been shortened to accommodate a raised lakebed or stone base in that immediate area. In November 2012 the property was listed for sale at US$ 20 million. This
318-403: A much smaller cottage on the island when his proposal for the main home proved prohibitively expensive for the local engineer. In 1996 sheet metal contractor Frank Massaro acquired Petre island and the long dormant drawings for the main home. In developing a plan to construct the home with numerous modifications, including some reflecting improved systems and technologies, a conflict arose over
371-403: A much smaller cottage on the island when his proposal for the main home proved prohibitively expensive for the local engineer. In 1996 sheet metal contractor Frank Massaro acquired Petre island and the long dormant drawings for the main home. In developing a plan to construct the home with numerous modifications, including some reflecting improved systems and technologies, a conflict arose over
424-444: A settlement that limited Massaro to referring to the structure as merely being "inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright". The foundation refuses to officially recognize Massaro House as an authentic Frank Lloyd Wright creation on a number of aesthetic and construction grounds beyond Massaro's refusal to comply with certification. Massaro countered that he believed that Wright would rather the house be built than not built at all. Rejection of
477-442: A settlement that limited Massaro to referring to the structure as merely being "inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright". The foundation refuses to officially recognize Massaro House as an authentic Frank Lloyd Wright creation on a number of aesthetic and construction grounds beyond Massaro's refusal to comply with certification. Massaro countered that he believed that Wright would rather the house be built than not built at all. Rejection of
530-399: A unique design in the fascia or window frames. To stamp the custom design into the copper to be used for the fascia on the roof, Massaro created a special machine. Wright defenders insist that the design is stamped too lightly and shallowly to satisfy Wright's design standards. Several of Wright's design drawings for Chahroudi include a set of stairs that descend from the cantilevered deck to
583-421: A unique design in the fascia or window frames. To stamp the custom design into the copper to be used for the fascia on the roof, Massaro created a special machine. Wright defenders insist that the design is stamped too lightly and shallowly to satisfy Wright's design standards. Several of Wright's design drawings for Chahroudi include a set of stairs that descend from the cantilevered deck to the rocky shore below,
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#1732782429906636-423: A well deep enough to provide sufficient water for the campus. In the initial winters Wright and his students lived in tents while they built the first structures, mainly by hand using as much local material as possible (rocks, stone, and sand). The design of the buildings complemented the natural Sonoran Desert landscape of the site. When Wright and his family arrived they found Native American petroglyphs among
689-423: Is an architecturally significant residence on privately owned Petre Island in Lake Mahopac , New York , roughly 50 miles north of New York city. Inspired by architect Frank Lloyd Wright , the home's design and construction have had a complex and controversial history. Wright's plan was initially known as the "Chahroudi House", for the client who commissioned it back in 1949, and for whom Wright designed and built
742-603: The Taliesin Fellowship began to "migrate" to Arizona each winter in 1935 to escape the harsh Wisconsin winters for Wright's health on his doctor's advice. In 1937 Wright purchased the plot of desert land that would soon become Taliesin West. He paid "$ 3.50 an acre on a southern slope of the McDowell Range overlooking Paradise Valley outside Scottsdale." Wright believed this to be the perfect spot for such
795-487: The architect had designed for the island (known today as the A. K. Chahroudi Cottage), later occupying it with his family as a summer retreat. In 1996, Petre Island was purchased for US$ 700,000 by Joseph Massaro, a sheet metal contractor. Though he had seen the original Chahroudi commission drawings for the main home years earlier, he initially intended merely to restore the island's Wright-designed guest cottage. Massaro received Wright's main house renderings as part of
848-484: The architect had designed for the island (known today as the A. K. Chahroudi Cottage), later occupying it with his family as a summer retreat. In 1996, Petre Island was purchased for US$ 700,000 by Joseph Massaro, a sheet metal contractor. Though he had seen the original Chahroudi commission drawings for the main home years earlier, he initially intended merely to restore the island's Wright-designed guest cottage. Massaro received Wright's main house renderings as part of
901-510: The back row can hear the lightest whisper from a speaker on stage. The view at Taliesin West was critical to its success. In the 1940s, Wright waged a battle against overhead power lines on aesthetic grounds. In the late 1940s when power lines appeared within the view of Taliesin West, Wright wrote President Harry S. Truman , demanding they be buried; it was a losing battle. So after briefly considering rebuilding in Tucson, he "turned his back on
954-593: The complex of buildings, all of which were constructed by students. Many of Wright's most famous buildings were designed in the drafting room at Taliesin West, including the Guggenheim Museum in New York City and Grady Gammage Auditorium at Arizona State University in Tempe . Taliesin West continues as the headquarters of The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and its several programs. The structure
1007-501: The concrete surface on the Massaro House, appearing to be distinct from one-another, randomly applied, and protruding at odd angles from otherwise finished walls. Evading the aesthetic consequence of design choices made, Massaro countered that 4 inches (100 mm) of Styrofoam insulation had to be added in order to adhere to modern building codes, resulting in the stones projecting beyond the original dimensions. He claimed that it
1060-438: The concrete surface on the Massaro House, appearing to be distinct from one-another, randomly applied, and protruding at odd angles from otherwise finished walls. Evading the aesthetic consequence of design choices made, Massaro countered that 4 inches (100 mm) of Styrofoam insulation had to be added in order to adhere to modern building codes, resulting in the stones projecting beyond the original dimensions. He claimed that it
1113-482: The drafting room, Wright used translucent canvas to act as a roof (later replaced by plastic because of the intense wear from the Arizona sun). In the south-facing dining room, Wright did not take the masonry walls from floor to ceiling, and designed the roof to hang past the walls preventing unwanted sun rays from penetrating but allowing for horizontal light to pass through the room. Wright believed natural light aided
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#17327824299061166-467: The house by critics as a Wright design extends beyond the architectural supervision and fees, and includes details of the Massaro House construction. Notably, William Allin Storrer, an adjunct professor of architecture and Wright historian, points to the desert masonry and skylight selection. Additionally, the quality of the roof fascia and a set of missing stairs descending from the cantilevered deck to
1219-411: The house by critics as a Wright design extends beyond the architectural supervision and fees, and includes details of the Massaro House construction. Notably, William Allin Storrer, an adjunct professor of architecture and Wright historian, points to the desert masonry and skylight selection. Additionally, the quality of the roof fascia and a set of missing stairs descending from the cantilevered deck to
1272-445: The house on the island, it will surpass your Fallingwater". Wright worked on designing a one-story, 5,000-square-foot (460 m ) house for three months, but the project was cancelled when Chahroudi realized he would not be able to afford either the $ 50,000 budget that Wright envisioned for the home or a second more modest version he requested. Instead, he had Wright build a three bedroom 1,200-square-foot (110 m ) guest cottage
1325-440: The house on the island, it will surpass your Fallingwater". Wright worked on designing a one-story, 5,000-square-foot (460 m) house for three months, but the project was cancelled when Chahroudi realized he would not be able to afford either the $ 50,000 budget that Wright envisioned for the home or a second more modest version he requested. Instead, he had Wright build a three bedroom 1,200-square-foot (110 m) guest cottage
1378-400: The house, a fluid process that included solutions and adjustments made on the fly between 2003 and 2007. These included changes to the skylight design and a staircase descending from the home like Fallingwater 's, the addition of foam insulation, and an increased in the concrete's structural stability and to comply with modern building codes, among others. Throughout the construction, Massaro
1431-399: The house, a fluid process that included solutions and adjustments made on the fly between 2003 and 2007. These included changes to the skylight design and a staircase descending from the home like Fallingwater 's, the addition of foam insulation, and an increased in the concrete's structural stability and to comply with modern building codes, among others. Throughout the construction, Massaro
1484-493: The local topography. A 12-foot (3.7 m)-high, 60-foot (18 m)-long rock forms the exterior to the entry and an interior wall, while a smaller rock doubles as a kitchen and bathroom wall. Again, like Fallingwater's signature terraces, the house features a cantilevered deck that stretches 25 feet (7.6 m) over Lake Mahopac. Its 18-foot (5.5 m)-high living area is illuminated with 26 triangular skylights. Massaro sold his sheet metal business in 2000 to focus on building
1537-492: The local topography. A 12-foot (3.7 m)-high, 60-foot (18 m)-long rock forms the exterior to the entry and an interior wall, while a smaller rock doubles as a kitchen and bathroom wall. Again, like Fallingwater's signature terraces, the house features a cantilevered deck that stretches 25 feet (7.6 m) over Lake Mahopac. Its 18-foot (5.5 m)-high living area is illuminated with 26 triangular skylights. Massaro sold his sheet metal business in 2000 to focus on building
1590-440: The original renderings. His design also provided updated heating and cooling solutions such as air conditioning and radiant heating that were not part of the original Wright concept. The design as built features chimney caps — to which Wright characteristically took exception — at each of the home's six fireplaces. In common with Fallingwater, the house's design does not merely accommodate but actually incorporates
1643-437: The original renderings. His design also provided updated heating and cooling solutions such as air conditioning and radiant heating that were not part of the original Wright concept. The design as built features chimney caps — to which Wright characteristically took exception — at each of the home's six fireplaces. In common with Fallingwater, the house's design does not merely accommodate but actually incorporates
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1696-509: The patterns of the rattlesnake , the Gila monster , and the saguaro , cholla or staghorn – or is it the other way around – are inspiration enough." The structure's walls are made of local desert rocks, stacked within wood forms, filled with concrete – colloquially referred to as "desert masonry". Wright always favored using the materials readily available rather than those that must be transported to
1749-506: The project's authenticity with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation , which successfully legally disputed Massaro's right to refer to the structure as a Wright design. Due to the subsequent out-of-court settlement between Massaro and the foundation the home can only be described as being "inspired by Wright" rather than a faithfully rendered, certified Wright design. In 1949, architect Frank Lloyd Wright received
1802-421: The project's authenticity with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation , which successfully legally disputed Massaro's right to refer to the structure as a Wright design. Due to the subsequent out-of-court settlement between Massaro and the foundation the home can only be described as being "inspired by Wright" rather than a faithfully rendered, certified Wright design. In 1949, architect Frank Lloyd Wright received
1855-565: The property was listed for sale at US$ 20 million. This was reduced to below $ 10 million in increments through January of 2019. An urban rumor was started in 2013 that actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had acquired the home. The Massaro Family confirms the pair never owned the island or the residences on it. The properties are still listed for sale, referred to generically as "Petra Island" without an asking price, in August 2023. Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Taliesin West
1908-497: The purchase of the island. In spite of the three months that Wright had put into design work on the structure, all that survived were five drawings: a floor plan with ideas for built-in and stand-alone furniture, a building section , and three elevations . Massaro hired Thomas A. Heinz, an architect and Wright historian, to complete the unfinished design. Heinz employed Archicad Building Information Modeling (BIM) software to model aspects of Wright's design not self-evident in
1961-494: The purchase of the island. In spite of the three months that Wright had put into design work on the structure, all that survived were five drawings: a floor plan with ideas for built-in and stand-alone furniture, a building section , and three elevations . Massaro hired Thomas A. Heinz, an architect and Wright historian, to complete the unfinished design. Heinz employed Archicad Building Information Modeling (BIM) software to model aspects of Wright's design not self-evident in
2014-446: The rocks. One of them, seen at the beginning of the guided tour, shows what may be hands clasping. Wright stylized the figures into interconnected lines, which became the symbol of Taliesin West. Wright felt very strongly about the connection to the desert. He said: "Arizona needs its own architecture… Arizona's long, low, sweeping lines, uptilting planes. Surface patterned after such abstraction in line and color as find 'realism' in
2067-399: The rocky shore below, a motif borrowed from Fallingwater, where they descend to the stream that home is built upon, Bear Run. Massaro explained that had the stairs been included in his design they would have descended into 3 feet (0.91 m) of water, disregarding that the flight could have been shortened to accommodate a raised lakebed or stone base in that immediate area. In November 2012
2120-552: The shore below that was included in the original design are highlighted as contentious details that should remove the house from consideration as a Wright design. Storrer argued that rocks set flush in Wright's signature desert masonry designs (as well as the native rocks used on Petra Island on the Chahroudi cottage that Wright designed and oversaw the construction of in lieu of building the proposed main home) project too far out from
2173-441: The shore below that was included in the original design are highlighted as contentious details that should remove the house from consideration as a Wright design. Storrer argued that rocks set flush in Wright's signature desert masonry designs (as well as the native rocks used on Petra Island on the Chahroudi cottage that Wright designed and oversaw the construction of in lieu of building the proposed main home) project too far out from
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2226-405: The site. In Wright's own words: "There were simple characteristic silhouettes to go by, tremendous drifts and heaps of sunburned desert rocks were nearby to be used. We got it all together with the landscape…" The flat surfaces of the rocks were placed outward facing and large boulders filled the interior space so concrete could be conserved. Natural light also played a major part in the design. In
2279-748: The valley," moving the entrance to the rear of the main building. After his death in Phoenix on April 9, 1959, Wright was buried, in accordance with his wishes, next to the Unity Chapel in the Lloyd-Jones cemetery, near Taliesin in Wisconsin. His third wife Olgivanna's dying wish was that she, Wright, and her daughter by her first marriage all be cremated and interred together in a memorial garden being built at Taliesin West. Although Olgivanna had taken no legal steps to move Wright's remains and against
2332-404: The wishes of other family members, as well as the Wisconsin legislature, in 1985, Wright's remains were removed from his grave by members of the Taliesin Fellowship, cremated, and sent to Scottsdale, where they were later interred in the memorial garden. The original grave site in Wisconsin, now empty, is still marked with Wright's name. During his lifetime, Wright continually altered and added to
2385-557: The work environment for his apprentices, keeping the inside of his building in touch with the natural surroundings. Every part of Taliesin West bears Frank Lloyd Wright's personal touch. Upon every return after a summer in Wisconsin, Wright would grab a hammer and immediately make his way through the complex. He would walk through each room making changes or shouting orders to apprentices closely following with wheelbarrows and tools. He constantly changed and improved on his design, fixing arising problems and addressing new situations. Throughout
2438-482: The years he enlarged the dining room and added the cabaret theater, music pavilion, and numerous other rooms. All of the furniture and decorations were designed by Wright and the majority built by apprentices. A brilliant aspect of Wright's design is the cabaret theater. Built with six sides, out of the standard rock-concrete mixture, in an irregularly hexagonal shape, the theater provides its occupants with what someone has called "95% acoustic perfection". Someone sitting in
2491-635: Was a concession even Wright would have been forced to make. Another signature of Wright's designs is the use of many windows, with the Heinz design for Massaro House including 26 skylights. The skylights chosen and installed in the home are domed, rather than the typically flat Wright designed panels. Massaro pointed out that flat panels are shown to leak, which Storrer conceded is a known issue with Wright designs but countered that solutions exist that would have allowed Massaro to stay true to "Wrightian" design principles. Homes designed by Wright often incorporate
2544-581: Was a concession even Wright would have been forced to make. Another signature of Wright's designs is the use of many windows, with the Heinz design for Massaro House including 26 skylights. The skylights chosen and installed in the home are domed, rather than the typically flat Wright designed panels. Massaro pointed out that flat panels are shown to leak, which Storrer conceded is a known issue with Wright designs but countered that solutions exist that would have allowed Massaro to stay true to "Wrightian" design principles. Homes designed by Wright often incorporate
2597-477: Was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 12, 1974, and was designated as a National Historic Landmark on May 20, 1982. In 2008, the U.S. National Park Service submitted Taliesin West along with nine other Frank Lloyd Wright properties to a tentative list for World Heritage Status. The 10 sites have been submitted as one single site. The January 22, 2008, press release from
2650-668: Was architect Frank Lloyd Wright 's winter home and studio in the Arizona desert from 1937 until his death in 1959 at the age of 91. It is the headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Open to the public for tours, Taliesin West is located on Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale, Arizona . The complex drew its name from Wright's home, Taliesin , in Spring Green, Wisconsin . Wright and
2703-418: Was in conflict with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation , which had been established by the architect in 1940 to conserve his intellectual property . The foundation claimed copyright over Wright's design, which Massaro claimed requested $ 450,000 to render working drawings from Wright's sketches and supervise construction of the house. Instead, Massaro hired Heinz and the foundation filed a lawsuit, which ended in
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#17327824299062756-417: Was in conflict with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation , which had been established by the architect in 1940 to conserve his intellectual property . The foundation claimed copyright over Wright's design, which Massaro claimed requested $ 450,000 to render working drawings from Wright's sketches and supervise construction of the house. Instead, Massaro hired Heinz and the foundation filed a lawsuit, which ended in
2809-560: Was reduced to below $ 10 million in increments through January of 2019. An urban rumor was started in 2013 that actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had acquired the home. The Massaro Family confirms the pair never owned the island or the residences on it. The properties are still listed for sale, referred to generically as "Petra Island" without an asking price, in August 2023. Petre Island 41°22′58.95″N 73°44′18.51″W / 41.3830417°N 73.7384750°W / 41.3830417; -73.7384750 Massaro House
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