Who is an architectural influence of yours?

Frank Lloyd Wright, who is widely considered the “GOAT” of architects. He also coined the term “organic architecture,” which refers to the practice of designing in harmony with nature.

Can you describe a specific work that has had a lasting impression on you and why?

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen West in Scottsdale, Arizona, which was Wright’s primary home and studio for many years. It wasn’t until I had the fortune of seeing Taliesen West with my own two eyes that I understood how perfectly it integrates with the surrounding desert and accentuates its natural beauty. Seeing these structures opened me up to architecture’s ability to make nature even more beautiful, and inspired me to explore all these different ways of doing that. 

What is it about this architect that draws you to their work?

I’m especially inspired by Wright’s use of organic materials. Taliesen West, for example, was constructed with local materials, like rocks from the desert, and wood from local trees. I am also fascinated by the way Wright’s designs were heavily influenced by their natural surroundings. Taliesen West’s design has been labeled as “savage” or “barbaric” because it has all these sharp, clean lines, slanted pillars and sloping roofs. But it makes sense because that’s what the desert is: savage. 

Seeing Taliesen West sent a vibration straight to my core. What I was really feeling at that moment was the true power and beauty of the desert, something I may have never felt about any natural environment were it not for Frank Lloyd Wright. His designs truly make you more aware of your surroundings. 

How has this architect influenced your own approach to architecture and design?

I have always had a deep love for our natural world. As a child, I was constantly trying to find excuses to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors. Frank Lloyd Wright showed me that architecture is about designing structures that make people feel just as alive as they would in front of a mountain, a lake, a forest, or a desert. I wanted to design structures that people could connect with on a spiritual level, just like nature. 

Wright is also the perfect example of someone who was creatively free but maintained a sense of balance. His works are unique, but none of them are considered “loud” or “over the top,” partially because they’re not just trying to draw attention to themselves. They’re also giving you a new perspective about what’s around you. 

If there is one critique you have about this architect’s work, what would it be?

How can you criticize Frank Lloyd Wright? If anything, I wish people were more conscious of his less famous works. Most people only know the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. 

If you could collaborate with this architect on any project, what would you like to create?

I would love to be a part of any sort of project in the desert of Arizona, Utah, or wherever Lloyd desires. After getting a full experience of the desert during a road trip to Taliesen West, I can totally understand why some of the greatest architects in the world choose to build their structures there.