Some of the Best Known Architects that Put AZ on the Map
Phoenix is known for a number of things: beautiful weather most of the year, great restaurants, fun nightlife and, for many, a hotspot for amazing architecture. From gorgeous homes to detailed commercial creations, beautiful buildings are one of the city’s (not so hidden) treasures.
From sprawling neighborhoods to colossal downtown masterpieces, many amazing architects have helped to elevate the overall aesthetics of Phoenix.
So, check out our list of some of the most influential architects that have left their mark on the Valley of the Sun.
1. Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright, who had a permanent winter residence in Scottsdale is, undoubtedly, one of the most well known American architects. Wright designed well over 500 buildings that came to fruition, and built some of the most incredible and innovative spaces in the United States. Wright loved to push boundaries, combining both nature and modern technology to create amazing works of art. You can see his work when you look at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, First Christian Church in Phoenix, and a number of private residences such as the David Wright House, Pieper House, and Harold Price House.
2. Bennie Gonzales
If you’ve seen the city of Scottsdale’s municipal buildings, you’ve seen work by Bennie Gonzales. With a track record spanning hundreds of commercial and residential buildings, Gonzales added a distinctive southwestern flair to everything he designed. Born in Phoenix, Gonzales was an Arizona native that eventually attended Arizona State University for their architecture program. Some of his most recognizable pieces of work include Scottsdale City Hall, the Heard Museum in Phoenix, and the Sedona Public Library.
3. Alfred Beadle
Al Beadle was a midcentury modernist architect that moved to Phoenix in the early 1950s. Initially practicing architecture without a license, Beadle had to obtain a specific number of apprenticeship hours and take Arizona’s state test in order to gain the proper credentials to continue working at his craft. He took the test, passed, and continued creating his beautifully modern works of art. Beadle’s work can be seen in a number of locations in Arizona, and include Phoenix’s Executive Towers, The Triad Apartments in Phoenix, and the old Safari Hotel (which has since been demolished).
4. Mark Candelaria
Mark Candelaria is the principal designer at Candelaria Designs, the firm that he founded in 1999. Known for his beautifully warm designs, often sprawled across some of the Valley’s most desirable locations, Candelaria and his firm focus on warmth, personalization, and the art of celebrating living through every detail of his designs. You can see Candelaria’s work in Scottsdale’s Silverleaf, Desert Mountain, and throughout Paradise Valley.
Although these are three of the well known architects that Arizona has to offer, there are certainly many more that have helped to make Arizona a place to note when it comes to amazing architectural creations. So, next time you’re driving around the valley, take a look around. That amazing city building or gorgeous residential home may be a creation of one of Arizona’s most influential architects.
