Modern Architecture
House Tour Highlights From Modern Phoenix Week
Peek inside homes by Wright, Beadle and other midcentury architects featured during the annual design week in the desert
Phoenix is a treasure-trove of architect-designed midcentury homes, some of which were celebrated and toured during this year’s Modern Phoenix Week, held March 24 through April 2 and presented in conjunction with the Docomomo US National Symposium on Modernism and Climate. Here’s a snapshot of six of the classic midcentury homes featured on the tour.
Wright’s unique circular design, constructed from standard concrete blocks, rises up in a spiral from the desert floor to provide 360-degree views of the mountains. The David Wright House is one of Wright’s three spiral designs and the precursor to the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. In a 1955 article in House Beautiful, the house was described as “a modern castle in the air.”
Views abound from every room as the house subtly curves around a central courtyard, or “oasis.” On the upper main level, the entry winds into a kitchen, then a living-dining room, then two bedrooms and baths, and concluding with a cantilevered master bedroom. The living-dining room’s balcony faces northeast across the courtyard. Mahogany ceiling boards overlap in a circular pattern to reflect the house’s shape. The concrete-block fireplaces also repeat the circular theme.
Tour the rest of the house
Tour the rest of the house
2. The Guirey House
Bo Mostow, who manages the Uptown Farmers Market in north Phoenix; her husband, Bill Mostow, a furniture designer; and their four kids live in this sprawling redwood-and-glass house by architect Fred Guirey.
Bo Mostow, who manages the Uptown Farmers Market in north Phoenix; her husband, Bill Mostow, a furniture designer; and their four kids live in this sprawling redwood-and-glass house by architect Fred Guirey.
Photo by Christiaan Blok
Guirey built the living room’s sandstone fireplace by hand. The decor features lighting fixtures, such as the one above, and furniture designed by Bill Mostow.
Guirey built the living room’s sandstone fireplace by hand. The decor features lighting fixtures, such as the one above, and furniture designed by Bill Mostow.
Photo by Christiaan Blok
The rooms have concrete floors, built-in storage and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in light and frame the views.
The rooms have concrete floors, built-in storage and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in light and frame the views.
The house is super family-friendly. This large great room, which originally was a ballroom and bar, has a built-in desk with four chairs — one for each kid. The windows overlook the fenced-in yard where chickens roam and kids play.
The Mostows turned the original bar area into an art space for the kids.
Photo by Aza
3. Beadle Boxes
“Ask any architectural scholar to name a midcentury architect in Central Arizona and they’re likely to name Frank Lloyd Wright, with Paolo Soleri listed close behind. But if you ask a typical modern architectural home-seeker, Al Beadle rockets to the top of the list,” writes Jennifer Gunther, a research assistant for the Beadle Archive, in her article “Unboxing Beadle.”
The tour included a visit to the Triad Apartments, pictured here, a case study project built by Beadle, which groups three small, delightful box-shaped apartments around a private patio.
3. Beadle Boxes
“Ask any architectural scholar to name a midcentury architect in Central Arizona and they’re likely to name Frank Lloyd Wright, with Paolo Soleri listed close behind. But if you ask a typical modern architectural home-seeker, Al Beadle rockets to the top of the list,” writes Jennifer Gunther, a research assistant for the Beadle Archive, in her article “Unboxing Beadle.”
The tour included a visit to the Triad Apartments, pictured here, a case study project built by Beadle, which groups three small, delightful box-shaped apartments around a private patio.
4. The Driggs House
The 1970 Driggs House, designed by Beadle, is still occupied by the original owner, Gary Driggs. The glass-and-steel house provides views from every room. “It was such fresh, clean design that really brought the outside in,” says Jerri Beadle, one of the architect’s daughters, who was also on the tour. “Dad always made sure you had views of the desert landscape, and the floor-to-ceiling windows also made the homes look bigger.”
The 1970 Driggs House, designed by Beadle, is still occupied by the original owner, Gary Driggs. The glass-and-steel house provides views from every room. “It was such fresh, clean design that really brought the outside in,” says Jerri Beadle, one of the architect’s daughters, who was also on the tour. “Dad always made sure you had views of the desert landscape, and the floor-to-ceiling windows also made the homes look bigger.”
The house was planned around a central foyer in which a tree still grows.
“Beadle thought of buildings as an artificial construct that people make,” Driggs says. “But this house and its design were done to disturb the land as little as possible. It’s as though a helicopter dropped the house onto the desert.”
“Beadle thought of buildings as an artificial construct that people make,” Driggs says. “But this house and its design were done to disturb the land as little as possible. It’s as though a helicopter dropped the house onto the desert.”
Photo by Identity Construction
5. Updated Curb Appeal
Kristy Oliver and Scott Smith rejuvenated this 1960 Beadle home with help from Identity Construction and Jobuilt Construction in Phoenix. Rolled-steel accents, a metal fascia and a wide custom door add retro curb appeal.
5. Updated Curb Appeal
Kristy Oliver and Scott Smith rejuvenated this 1960 Beadle home with help from Identity Construction and Jobuilt Construction in Phoenix. Rolled-steel accents, a metal fascia and a wide custom door add retro curb appeal.
Photo by Identity Construction
“We bought the house four years ago because it’s a Beadle,” Smith says. Beadle designed his houses in several desert-themed models: This one is called the Palo Verde. Other house models include Ocotillo, Cholla and Saguaro.
“We bought the house four years ago because it’s a Beadle,” Smith says. Beadle designed his houses in several desert-themed models: This one is called the Palo Verde. Other house models include Ocotillo, Cholla and Saguaro.
Photo by Identity Construction
Smith says he loves midcentury homes for their endless possibilities and timeless appeal. “Every space is simple but well thought out. It’s not too busy, so you can do anything within the space. And it’s still modern by today’s standards,” he says.
Smith says he loves midcentury homes for their endless possibilities and timeless appeal. “Every space is simple but well thought out. It’s not too busy, so you can do anything within the space. And it’s still modern by today’s standards,” he says.
Photo by Encantohaus
6. Weaver’s Wonder
Encantohaus, by architect Fred Weaver, is a midcentury treasure replete with terrific detailing, tons of built-ins and period flair. Weaver built this home as his personal residence in the historic Encanto Vista District. Weaver & Drover was one of the region’s most prolific architectural firms in the 1940s and ’50s. The house was impeccably remodeled by a new owner in 2012.
6. Weaver’s Wonder
Encantohaus, by architect Fred Weaver, is a midcentury treasure replete with terrific detailing, tons of built-ins and period flair. Weaver built this home as his personal residence in the historic Encanto Vista District. Weaver & Drover was one of the region’s most prolific architectural firms in the 1940s and ’50s. The house was impeccably remodeled by a new owner in 2012.
Photo by Encantohaus
The front door leads into the open kitchen, dining and living areas, which in turn open onto patios and a rear pool area. Note the wood shutters covering the skylight in the upper right corner. All the pine in the house was stripped, sanded and refinished.
The front door leads into the open kitchen, dining and living areas, which in turn open onto patios and a rear pool area. Note the wood shutters covering the skylight in the upper right corner. All the pine in the house was stripped, sanded and refinished.
Photo by Encantohaus
Check out the new backsplash of glass tiles set in a chevron pattern, which is also found in one of the bathrooms, and the cabinet hardware.
Check out the new backsplash of glass tiles set in a chevron pattern, which is also found in one of the bathrooms, and the cabinet hardware.
Photo by Encantohaus
The master bedroom and the office open onto a newly resurfaced pool area.
More
Houzz Tour: Modern Addition for a Historic Bungalow
Houzz Tour: Opening Up a Midcentury Schreiber Home in Phoenix
The master bedroom and the office open onto a newly resurfaced pool area.
More
Houzz Tour: Modern Addition for a Historic Bungalow
Houzz Tour: Opening Up a Midcentury Schreiber Home in Phoenix
1. ‘A Modern Castle in the Air’
In 1952, Frank Lloyd Wright designed this spiral home and guest house for his son David Wright and David’s wife, Gladys, on 10 acres in the middle of citrus groves at the base of Camelback Mountain in the Arcadia neighborhood. After David and Gladys Wright died and left the house to granddaughters, it was sold several times and eventually scheduled for demolition. But with the help of preservation-minded people, what many consider to be Frank Lloyd Wright’s last residential masterpiece still stands. The house is closed to the public except during private tours and special events.