Taliesin West Collections Storage Improvements Plan

FAIN: PF-266724-19

Taliesin West (Scottsdale, AZ 85259-2537)
Margo Stipe (Project Director: January 2019 to October 2023)

A Planning project to address storage improvements for the collections housed at Taliesin West, the winter home and architectural laboratory of Frank Lloyd Wright, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The collection includes thousands of objects, such as furniture designed by Wright in addition to fabrics and decorative objects, Japanese woodblock prints, Asian screen paintings, textiles, rare books, and archival materials from the Taliesin Associated Architects program.

Based on recommendations from the FLWF Preservation Committee and CAP reviewers, the FLWF requests an NEH Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections planning grant to prepare a comprehensive Collections Storage Improvements Plan to resolve critical storage issues at Taliesin West. This will fund an external consulting team of a Preventive Conservator and an Architect/Engineer to work with FLWF Collections and Preservation staff and prepare the plan which will set out the reallocation of collections and spaces, necessary envelope and systems improvements for environmental management, fire safety and security, and identification of appropriate storage furniture for efficient use of space, sequencing and phasing for full implementation. The request includes $10,000 to implement critical building upgrades as a pilot project, wherever the greatest need is identified. The actual pilot project will depend on the recommendations of the Collections Storage Improvements Plan.

Associated Products

Taliesin West Collections Storage Improvements Plan (Report)
Title: Taliesin West Collections Storage Improvements Plan
Author: Michael C. Henry
Author: Wendy Claire Jessup
Abstract: The collections of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation at Taliesin West include fine and decorative art from Europe, Asia, and Central America, textiles and clothing, historic furnishings designed by Wright, books, articles and ephemera by and about Wright, oral histories, and photographs, film, video and audio tapes. Most of the collections are centrally stored in the Archives and Collections Buildings and while safe, are in overcrowded conditions. For lack of space, however, some of the pieces are stored in locations at higher risk than are unsuitable for preservation purposes. Created by a Preventive Conservation Conservator and an Architect/Engineer in collaboration with FLWF Collections & Preservation staff, the Collections Storage Improvement Plan makes recommendations for organizing and optimizing the space needed for storage; addressing special environmental needs for the collections; and improving interior environments and energy use through building envelope and systems upgrades. In addition the 150-page report provides detailed plans for the relocation and consolidation of media, including high-efficiency floor plans and storage furniture.
Date: 12/23/2020
Primary URL Description: n/a
Access Model: Free access to FLWF staff and outside researchers through the FLWF Collections Department. Also available to NEH staff and SCHC applicants through NEH channels.
ISBN: n/a

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