Frank Lloyd Wright’s Norman Lykes House Sketches: A Glimpse Into the Last Masterwork
Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, left behind a legacy of organic architecture that continues to inspire designers, artists, and dreamers. Among his final projects is the Norman Lykes House, a residence perched high in the Phoenix, Arizona desert, overlooking sweeping views of the mountains and city below. Often referred to as Wright’s last residential design, the house embodies his signature circular style, a motif that also appears in his later works such as the Guggenheim Museum in New York.
But before the home was ever constructed in 1967 (eight years after Wright’s death), there were the sketches—the original drawings that captured the architect’s vision in its purest form. These sketches are more than just blueprints; they are works of art that reflect Wright’s lifelong philosophy of blending structure with nature.
The Story Behind the House
The Norman Lykes House was commissioned by Dr. Norman and Aimee Lykes, who sought a unique home in Phoenix that reflected both modern design and harmony with the desert landscape. Wright accepted the commission in 1958, the year before his passing. Though Wright did not live to see its completion, his apprentice John Rattenbury from Taliesin Associated Architects oversaw construction in 1967, faithfully following Wright’s detailed drawings.
The Circular Design in Sketches
Wright’s sketches for the Lykes House reveal a deep fascination with circular geometry. Unlike his earlier rectilinear Prairie houses, the Lykes design features interlocking circles that flow into one another, creating a rhythmic floor plan.
- Floor Plan Sketches: The sketches show a spiral-like arrangement of rooms radiating outward, echoing the natural curves of the surrounding desert hillsides.
- Elevation Drawings: Wright’s hand-drawn elevations emphasize horizontal lines, stonework, and the fluidity between indoor and outdoor living spaces.
- Details and Ornamentation: Even in rough pencil, Wright’s drawings indicate built-in furniture, rounded corners, and expansive windows designed to frame the Arizona sunrises and sunsets.
Artistic Value of the Sketches
What makes the Lykes House sketches so extraordinary is that they showcase Wright’s artistry beyond technical drafting. His lines, sometimes quick and free-flowing, often carry annotations, color washes, and subtle shadings. These touches reflect not just the technical aspects of a home, but the feeling Wright intended to create.
For collectors, historians, and architects, these sketches are invaluable because they:
- Illustrate Wright’s late-career fascination with circular architecture.
- Provide insight into how he visualized space as movement, not just as fixed walls.
- Capture the blending of geometry, landscape, and lifestyle in a way that remains ahead of its time.
Expansion of Wright’s Vision
Though the Norman Lykes House was one of his final projects, the sketches represent an evolution of ideas Wright had been exploring for decades. His earlier works like the Price Tower (1956) and Guggenheim Museum (1959) already revealed a fascination with curves and spirals. The Lykes sketches can be seen as a domestic application of these same principles, scaled down for intimate living while still embracing monumental design.
In many ways, the Lykes sketches are symbolic—a culmination of Wright’s lifelong philosophy of organic architecture, where form follows function and buildings grow harmoniously from their environment.
Legacy of the Lykes House
Today, the Norman Lykes House stands as both a residence and a piece of living history. It has been featured in numerous architectural publications, real estate spotlights, and design exhibitions. But it is the original sketches that remind us of Wright’s genius: the ability to see beyond stone and wood into the very essence of space, light, and life.
They are not just technical documents but visual poems, written in pencil and ink, capturing the last visionary thoughts of America’s greatest architect.
✨ Conclusion:
Frank Lloyd Wright’s sketches for the Norman Lykes House are more than architectural drawings; they are the final notes in the symphony of his career. Each curve, line, and annotation reflects not only his mastery of design but also his enduring belief that homes should reflect both their inhabitants and their natural surroundings. The Lykes House, born from those sketches, remains a timeless masterpiece—an architectural jewel that bridges the past and future of design.
