frank lloyd wright’s last designed residence, the circular sun house, will be auctioned off on october 16 by heritage auctions. located in phoenix, arizona, the 3,095-square-foot house is an exceptional example of the architect’s late work, weaving in and around the natural landscape and boasting spectacular views over the palm canyon and across the valley.
images courtesy of heritage auctions
constructed of concrete blocks colored to blend with the boulders surrounding it, the circular sun house by frank lloyd wright was designed in 1959 and completed in 1967 by the architect’s apprentice, john rattenbury. the innovative construction, which was designed shortly before the competition of new york’s guggenheim museum, showcases frank lloyd wright’s explorations with different geometric forms — in this case, intersecting circles and arcs.
the residence consists of 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a private second-story office with 360-degree views and a garden terrace pool lined with mother of pearl. handcrafted in philippine mahogany throughout, the furniture complements its design with its mid-century modern style. overall, the innovative construction on the edge of the phoenix mountains preserve create an excellent living environment while capturing the ever-changing patterns of light and shadow as the sun travels across the canyon.
project info:
name: the norman lykes house or circular sun house
architect: frank lloyd wright
status: on auction
auction house: heritage auctions
