Frank Lloyd Wright House Taliesin West Reopens After Fatal Accident

by Anna D'Amico

Renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s former home in Scottsdale, AZ has officially reopened following a freak accident that killed a visiting dignitary.

Taliesin West reopened to the public on Saturday, Oct. 24, eight days after Rogério Renato Mateucci, 55, was killed while on a walking tour of the property on October 16.

Mateucci, a top official at Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná in Brazil, was stuck by a piece of roofing material dislodged by strong winds, police have now confirmed.

The National Weather Service reported east winds of 22 mph in Scottsdale on the day of the fatal accident, with gusts up to 32 mph.

Scottsdale police Sgt. Allison Sempsis told The Bee that a piece of acrylic glass struck Mateucci and that the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation cooperated with the investigation.

“The Foundation mourns the loss of Rogério Renato Mateucci, who tragically died on October 16 in an accident at Taliesin West,” said Joseph Specter, President and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, in a statement provided to Realtor.com. “We continue to hold Mr. Mateucci and his loved ones in our hearts and continue to offer our deepest condolences.”

While the property was closed to the public for the police investigation, which determined the incident was weather-related, the Foundation conducted a thorough safety inspection of the Taliesin West, including its roofing and structures, according to the statement.

“Weather Station technology has been added to enhance our existing safety procedures at the site, to assess temperature, wind speed, air pressure, and rain,” said Specter. “This will offer the Foundation localized safety data to further inform the daily practice of opening our site to the public.”

With the inspection complete and safety measures in place, Specter said the Foundation was “confident that Taliesin West is safe for visitors” and prepared to reopen the property on Saturday.

Taliesin West was established in 1937 as a winter getaway for Frank Lloyd Wright and his apprentices. The campus, which was designed to reflect the ruggedness of the desert landscape, was originally constructed with canvas panels for the roof, instead of traditional materials.

Interior View of Taliesin West, winter home and school of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright in Scottsdale, Arizona n September 20, 2022. — Interior view of Taliesin West, winter home and school of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright in Scottsdale, AZ (Carrie - stock.adobe.com)

After Wright’s death in 1959, the home was updated to allow for year-round occupation by the foundation and Taliesin Institute. Updates included replacing the canvas roof with insulated acrylic panels, inclosing interior spaces, and adding air conditioning.

In recent years, the Taliesin Institute has been looking into ways to return to a fabric roofing system using more durable materials that weren’t around during Wright’s lifetime, according to a May interview with Rebecca Barron, Director of Preservation at the Taliesin Institute.

The exploration of modern materials is part of the Taliesin Institute’s value-based preservation, through which it considers the physical structure and aesthetics of a site in addition to preserving the “intangible heritage” of the site.

“In this way, the fabric roof project continues to ongoing process of innovation and experimentation that was always at the heart of this place,” said Barron.

Authorities have not tied the October 16 accident to the Institute’s preservation work, and the exact origin of the panel that struck Mateucci remains unclear.

GET MORE INFORMATION

Name

Email*

Phone*

Message

By registering on this website, you hereby grant permission to Round Table Realty, its affiliates, and its agents to contact you via email, text message, telephone, and other communication methods, including but not limited to mass communication systems, unique communication systems, and automated or artificial intelligence systems. Such communications may be for the purposes of responding to inquiries, providing real estate services, marketing, or other business-related matters.

You acknowledge that these communications may include autodialed or prerecorded messages and that you consent to receiving such communications at the email address and phone number(s) you provide, even if your phone number is on a state or national Do Not Call registry. Message and data rates may apply.

This consent is not a condition of any purchase or transaction. You may revoke your consent to receive such communications at any time by notifying us in writing or using the opt-out mechanisms provided in the communication.

Florida-Specific Notice:
Pursuant to Florida law, you are hereby informed that your contact information may be used to provide information about real estate services, listings, and related topics. Round Table Realty complies with all applicable federal and state laws, including the Florida Telephone Solicitation Act (FTSA), and takes measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of your contact information.

For more information about our policies or to exercise your rights under applicable laws, please see our Privacy Policy.

By clicking “I'm Finished” or completing the registration process, you affirmatively acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclosure and consent to the above terms.