PROJECT
building technology
Virtually Touring Taliesin West An immersive, online 3D experience enhances visitor architectural appreciation.
W
hen people think of architects, Frank Lloyd
detailed 3D models of the physical site that provide a virtual
Wright inevitably springs to mind. Today, 151
experience of the property, seeing the world as Wright did.
years after his birth, his legacy continues through
The project, led by Leica Geosystems, Norcross, GA, is part of
a new project that brings the work of Wright into the digital
a larger mission to preserve historical property and bring Frank
age. Taliesin West, in Scottsdale, AZ, Wright’s winter home and
Lloyd Wright’s vision to a wide audience. Other partners involved
studio, has always been a place of innovation and exploration.
in the project include Multivista, Phoenix, and Matterport,
As Wright’s architectural laboratory, Taliesin West is where he
Sunnyvale, CA. The effort goes beyond traditional 3D render-
returned every autumn to test the limits of architecture, design,
ings, documentation, and virtual online tours by capturing the
and building. Today, the property attracts more than 110,000
property from every dimension—the exterior grounds and the
tourists each year.
interior home along with architectural details including 3D views
Recently, the entire area was transformed into an immersive, online 3D experience. Viewers can explore Taliesin West through
The technology that was used to transform Taliesin West into an immersive online experience includes the Leica Geosystems BLK360, Multivista construction documentation technology and services, and the Matterport 3D cloud platform.
and floor plans. Specifically, the technology that was used to transform detail commercialarchitecturemagazine.com
NOVEMBER 2018
COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE
47
