Just one hour west of Madison lies the historic Taliesin Estate, the Wisconsin home and studio of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. This architectural masterpiece, nestled in the rolling hills of Wisconsin's Driftless region, continues to captivate visitors and residents alike with its seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces.

While Taliesin is often remembered for the two devastating fires that marked its history, it also served as the birthplace of one of Wright's most significant contributions to architectural education: the Taliesin Fellowship. Wright firmly believed in the philosophy of "learning by doing," attracting apprentices from around the world who came to study under his guidance. These students immersed themselves in hands-on learning experiences, contributing directly to construction projects on the estate while participating in daily activities such as meal preparation for fellow apprentices and cultivating food in the community garden.

Today, although Taliesin no longer functions as an active architectural school, a small community of dedicated individuals continues to call this historic estate home. Floyd Hamblen holds the distinction of being the last architect living and working at Taliesin, residing in what was once Iovanna Lloyd Wright's apartment—the daughter of Frank and Olgivanna Lloyd Wright. His wife, Caroline Hamblen, oversees all public access programming at the estate, showing visitors rooms that were formerly occupied by Taliesin fellows but now serve visiting guests and students participating in the overnight classes that Taliesin currently offers.

The estate encompasses much more than Wright's main studio and living quarters. Visitors can explore numerous buildings scattered across the property, including the iconic Romeo and Juliet Windmill, the Midway Barn located between the main Taliesin building and the Hillside Home School, and Tan-y-Deri, another Wright-designed structure that occasionally hosts guests today. Wright eventually took over the Hillside Home School, which he had originally designed for his aunts, transforming it into the main working studio for the Taliesin Fellowship. Classes continue to be held in this building today.

One of the fundamental principles evident throughout Wright's work at Taliesin is the concept of "compression and release." This architectural technique uses low ceilings and narrow hallways that lead into expansive, open spaces, creating a dramatic sense of spatial flow. The interior of Taliesin can feel endless, with numerous distinct corridors and intimate spaces woven throughout the building. Wright's masterful use of natural light is particularly striking, with strategically placed windows designed to flood spaces with illumination at different times of day.

The estate's connection to nature reflects Wright's family history in the area. The Wright family settled in Wisconsin's Driftless region because they were struck by how much the landscape reminded them of Wales, their ancestral homeland. This deep connection to the natural environment is evident everywhere at Taliesin, from the Birdwalk—a balcony that juts out from the main building to provide sweeping views of the landscape below—to sitting rooms in the residential wing that extend outward from the building to overlook the surrounding countryside.

Many cherished traditions from the Fellowship era continue today under the care of current residents and staff. Floral arrangements remain an important part of daily life at Taliesin, found throughout the various buildings on the estate. During Wright's time, students were encouraged to learn about architectural principles through seemingly simple tasks like flower arranging. As former fellow Effi Casey explained, "What did you learn about flower arranging? Well, I learned about proportion. I learned about beauty." Tea circle ceremonies, another tradition that began during the Fellowship days, continue with current employees like Abbie Lehman, who plays music during these gatherings.

The estate also preserves fascinating historical details that tell the story of Taliesin's complex past. Wright incorporated small artifacts and sculptures into the stone construction throughout the property, some of which were actually relics salvaged from the fires that twice devastated parts of the estate. A painting of Minerva Montooth, who still lives at Taliesin and was present during Frank and Olgivanna Lloyd Wright's era, hangs in the same location where she sat for the portrait, creating a living connection to the estate's storied history.

Today, Taliesin continues to serve educational purposes, hosting photography classes and workshops that allow students to explore and document the interplay of light, architecture, and landscape that Wright so masterfully orchestrated. Students from Andrew Pielage's Intermediate Photography classes can be found throughout the buildings, capturing how natural light moves through Wright's carefully designed spaces at different times of day. The experience of watching light hit Taliesin's various surfaces throughout the day remains one of the most compelling aspects of visiting this architectural treasure, from the early morning reflections in the residential wing windows to the dramatic silhouettes created during sunset over the Wisconsin countryside.