House of the Future (Phoenix)

The House of the Future also known as the Ahwatukee House of the Future is an example of a home of the future located in Ahwatukee, an urban village in Phoenix, Arizona. The idea was originated by Randall Presley, the developer of Ahwatukee to promote his then-new development and bring more residences to the then-less populated Ahwatukee neighborhood. The House was designed by Charles R. Schiffner Taliesin Associated Architects of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in Scottsdale, who got inspiration from his drawings of one of his box projects originally intended for Mr. and Mrs. Wright.[1] It was opened for tours in 1980; tours cost $3.[2][3][4] Between 1980 and 1984 the House attracted approximately 250,000 people, who were also given tours of various model homes in the development.[5] After four years the House was sold, and is now in private ownership, having changed hands several times.[6]

House of the Future
House of the Future in 2019
General information
Architectural styleOrganic Architecture
LocationAhwatukee, Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Address3713 E Equestrain Trail, Phoenix, Arizona
Coordinates33.3353°N 112.0036°W / 33.3353; -112.0036
Groundbreaking1979
Completed1980
OpenedFebruary 1980
Cost$1,200,000
Technical details
Floor area3,100 square feet (290 m2)
Design and construction
ArchitectCharles R. Schiffner
Architecture firmTaliesin Associated Architects
Other designersFrank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Motorola
Main contractorW. M. Grace Construction

The House was "the first microprocessor controlled house". Designed in coordination with Motorola it had multiple Motorola MC6800 microprocessors that "opened and closed windows, adjusted blinds, and stored tax records, shopping lists, and video games."[7] The system consisted of ten microprocessors, and cost $30,000 in 1980 dollars.[8]

The three-bedroom house had an unconventional design. "Most of it is below ground. It includes a two-storey 'atrium', or sky-lobby, from which all the rooms lead off. This contains plants and provides a central conversation area."[8] "Dozens of companies helped build the property at an estimated cost of more than $2 million, a portion of it in donated materials."[6]

When it opened the house became a media sensation. “It was covered in periodicals, the media of the time, in 33 different countries. It became a world-famous house, in essence.”[6]

References
  1. Balli, Emily (13 June 2019). "A Showcase of Ideas: Taliesin Associated Architect Charles Schiffner's House of the Future". Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  2. "Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation". Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Retrieved 2019-05-28.
  3. Naftule, Ashley (2018-02-06). "Charles Schiffner: Architecture As Alchemy". JAVA. Retrieved 2019-05-28.
  4. Smith, Greg. "Ahwatukee Arizona's House Of The Future". greginthedesert.net. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.
  5. Gibson, Martin W. (2019). Historic Tales from Ahwatukee Foothills. Charleston, SC: History Press. pp. 79, 171. ISBN 978-1-4671-4031-7. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.
  6. Rodriguez, Nadine Arroyo. "Did You Know: The 'House Of The Future' Was Built In Ahwatukee". kjzz.org. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.
  7. "The Electronic Cottage Revisited". Dwell. Feb 2001. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.
  8. Marsh, Peter (11 Oct 1979). "The House of the Future is in Phoenix". New Scientist: 114. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.


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