40 JULY 2017 ARCAD A NEWS By Nick Smith Judging by the hundreds of colorful balloons adorning the David Wright House on Frank Lloyd Wright’s 150 th birthday, it seemed that even one of Arcadia’s most famous landmarks, which has been embroiled in controversy for years, was celebrating. But the celebration was about more than just Wright’s birthday. The balloons also signified the unveiling of a plan to donate the house to the School of Architecture at Taliesin, formerly the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. A host of speakers, including school Dean Aaron Betsky and Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, talked about Wright’s legacy, the future of the building and the donation of the property by the Rawling family. “Wright’s contributions as a master architect and educator are inseparable from the history of Phoenix and the state of Arizona,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton in a written statement. The atmosphere seemed a mix of celebration and relief, with many hopeful that the ceremony might finally mark the end of the controversy surrounding the house. The journey toward this moment began decades earlier, when Zack Rawling was introduced to the David Wright House as a boy. His mother attended architectural school at Arizona State in the 1970s, and instilled her passion for architecture in her son. “This building was the start of my love of architecture,” Rawling said. “We’ve always been searching for a way to give families and young people the same experience I had, of falling in love with architecture and being inspired by Wright.” After growing up in Scottsdale and attending Brophy College Preparatory, Rawling headed to Las Vegas, where he started a successful homebuilding company. One night in 2012, Rawling was at dinner when he found out that the David Wright House was going to be demolished. At the thought of such an ignoble fate befalling the house he had so loved as a boy, Rawling decided to save it. His first call was to the one person who would understand how he felt. “I finished the dinner, got on the phone with my mom and told her I was flying to Phoenix in the morning,” Rawling told the Arcadia News in 2015. “I asked her to please call the broker of the home and schedule a tour as soon as possible.” Rawling bought the property that year, saving it from the bulldozers. That was only the beginning of the story however, as what to do with the home would become a divisive topic in the Arcadia community. Rawling had originally planned to use the home for tours and events, including weddings and concerts. He also bought surrounding properties, turning the site into a 6.1-acre destination, in an attempt to restore the property to its original 10 acres. But the plan to turn the David Wright House into an attraction wasn’t met with universal approval in Arcadia. Many neighbors were opposed to the idea of a commercial destination property so close to their homes. Another concern was the thought of event attendees consuming alcohol at the house, before getting into their cars and driving through the residential area. After years of pushback in neighborhood and city meetings, Rawling decided to go in a different direction. He had begun talking to directors at the School of Architecture at Taliesin, which has its west campus in Scottsdale. The school is poised for a rapid expansion of its student body, from ten students up to 24 in the fall, with the hope that the number will be 50 to 60 in the next few years. “We started talking to Zach about our desire to expand the school and be more a part of the community,” Betsky, the school’s dean, said. “After a series of discussions, it was Zach who came up with the generous idea that this should really be not just a house museum, but a living laboratory, where students and faculties are using the past to figure out the future of the Valley.” “We’ve been looking for a way for people to participate in the Wright legacy and realize their own creative potential,” Rawling said. “And the school will achieve that in a way that a house museum never could.” The value of the gift is the biggest in the history of the school, as Rawling has spent millions of dollars purchasing the house and the acres of land surrounding it. The plan is for some of the school’s faculty and students to live in the main house and guest house, which is in the process of being revamped. There will also be design studios in the house, where students can work. Public events associated with the school are in the cards as well, with lectures and tours planned. “There will be graduate students from six continents that are studying here, brilliant young people, full of creative energy and enthusiasm,” Rawling said. “There’s just a power and dynamism that these young people will communicate to everyone who sets foot on the property.” There are still some hoops to jump through, as the house still needs a permit for historical designation from the city, and the entire plan is contingent on the Arizona Community Foundation raising a $7 million endowment by the end of 2020 to restore the property. And there are still questions about how the neighborhood and community will react to the plans for the house. “I’m optimistic,” said Craig Steblay, president of the Arcadia Camelback Mountain Neighborhood Association. “I think the neighborhood is wary and cautious, but optimistic. Sometimes the devil is in the details, but based on what we’ve heard, it might work out.” But for now, the hope is that the contentious battle over one of Arcadia’s historic landmarks might finally be drawing to a close. “It’s a really joyful day,” Rawling said. “I’m very enthusiastic about both the future of the school and the future of the house. My mom, family, and I will be the school’s biggest supporters.” Wright House to become Taliesin architectural school extension Geronimo Balloons spent hours covering the house with hundreds of colorful balloons. It’s a really joyful day, I’m very enthusiastic about both the future of the school and the future of the house.” Costco pizza NOW delivered! *Fetch Me Pizza is an independent mobile delivery service and • No membership required FetchMePIZZA.com® ! " # $ # % & ! 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41 JULY 2017 ARCAD A NEWS By Michelle Donati-Grayman Whether you’re spending your first summer in Arizona or you’re a lifelong Phoenician, it doesn’t take long to learn that the desert transforms into a magical playground once the sun goes down. Here are seven activities worth considering after sunset: FLASHLIGHT TOURS Desert Botanical Garden offers self- paced flashlight tours. The tour is suitable for all ages and consists of more than 10 discovery stations, including stargazing and s’mores making. It is free if you’re a member or is included with paid garden admission, which is $24.95 for adults and $12.95 for ages three to 17. Flashlights aren’t included, so be sure to bring one from home. BIKE OR HIKE BY MOONLIGHT If you’re up for a true nocturnal experience, consider hiking or mountain biking by moonlight. The Maricopa County Department of Parks and Recreation hosts guided night rides and hikes at a variety of parks throughout the summer. There’s safety in numbers, so if you don’t take the guided route, be sure to hit the trail with friends. GLOW AND ROW The City of Tempe offers Glow Kayak classes at Tempe Town Lake on Friday nights through the middle of August. In addition to equipment, each class includes glow-in-the-dark accessories that will help you shine bright as you glide across the lake. The cost is $35 for adults and $20 for ages 10 and older. You can also take a Full Moon Kayak Tour on Lake Pleasant, which is about a 45-minute drive from Phoenix, through GoPaddleAZ.com. The two-hour tour is $50 for a single kayak or $75 for a tandem kayak. DIAMONDS AFTER DUSK The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess was the first Valley resort to debut dive-in movies 30 years ago, and this summer the tradition continues. The AAA Five Diamond resort is also hosting Techno Glo pool parties with fog, lasers, LED hula hoops and DJ Splash on weekend nights this summer. The Princess has a summer package starting at $169 per night with a $50 daily credit. The AAA Four Diamond Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch offers enchanting gondola rides on the resort’s waterways beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for ages four to 12. You can score a complimentary pass by dining at the resort’s Alto Ristorante. NAMASTE UNDER THE STARS Mountain Shadows, Paradise Valley’s newest resort, offers moonlight yoga on the Camelback Rooftop deck once a month. Classes are $25 per person and include parking and a drink voucher that can be redeemed for a cocktail after class at Hearth ’61. RIDE NOW Nestled near the Rio Verde river and surrounded by the McDowell and Mazatzal mountain ranges, Cave Creek Outfitters is a Scottsdale ranch that offers horseback rides through the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Tonto National Forest. Summer rides depart at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and start at $49 per person. OUTSIDE THE CITY The Verde Canyon Railroad’s monthly Starlight Tour departs from Clarkdale, which is about a two-hour drive from Phoenix. The train follows the cool river breeze of the Verde River and exposes riders to a dramatic color display that includes daylight, sunset and moonlight. Coach tickets are $64.95 for adults. First-class tickets are $89.95 per person, and include Champagne upon departure and complimentary appetizers. Whether you choose one of these fun- filled activities or something of your own, enjoy the liveliness that exists after the sun goes down in the desert this summer. " # $$ & SPORTS COLLECTOR CAR CENTER Servicing Your Car Is Not Our Job, It’s Our Passion • F actory Trained Technicians Using St ate of the Art Equipment • F amil y Owned & Serving The East V alley Since 1973 • Shuttle Service, Pick Up & Delivery A v ailable at no extra cost 480.968.5000 | www.sccarcenter.com • Jaguar & Range Rover Experts • Honor Most Extended W arranties • All Service Guaranteed/ Parts & Labor * All required factory maintenance Services S E R V I C E