The Raymond Carlson Residence

1950

1123 Est Palo Verde Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85013


I visited this unusual residence on the afternoon of January 4, 2024.  To see my blog post that includes my visit to this house, look here.  This house is barely visible from the street, so much so that I started not to include it.  But the house is unusual in two respects.  First, it is of “post-and-panel” construction, using wood posts and Cemesto board (cement asbestos) panels.  Second was the unique relationship between FLLW and the Carlsons.  Raymond Carlson was editor of Arizona Highways magazine, and a close friend of FLLW.  He and his wife were regular visitors to Taliesin West.  Shortly after a party celebrating completion of the house, FLLW sent them a gift– a piano that cost more than his design fee for the house.  Below are the photos I took of the house.  I am sure FLLW would not approve of the color scheme it presently sports!

IMAGINE MY DISAPPOINT WHEN i REALIZED THIS WAS PRETTY MUCH THE ONLY PART OF THIS HOUSE I COULD SEE FROM THE STREET.
ACCORDING TO STORRER, THIS PART OF THE HOUSE WAS THREE LEVELS: A SUBLEVEL KITCHEN, BEDROOMS AND BATHS IN THE MIDDLE, AND AT THE TOP CARLSON'S OFFICE, WHICH OPENED TO A ROOF DECK.
THE FAR EAST END OF THE CARLSON HOME.
JUST BELOW THE DECK YOU CAN SEE THE CLERESTORY OF THE LONG LIVING ROOM OF THE HOUSE.
AROUND THE CORNER IS THE DRIVEWAY....THE SAME GOD AWFUL COLOR!