House of the Future

The House of the Future is an experimental residence in Ahwatukee with most of its structure underground and a large central atrium filled with greenery. The building combines enclosed living spaces with this planted core, creating a distinctive underground layout.

An architect from the Taliesin office designed this residence in 1980, drawing ideas from Frank Lloyd Wright's earlier sketches. The project reflected how architects of that era were thinking about underground living as a forward-looking solution.

The building drew large crowds during its years as a public exhibition, reflecting widespread public interest in forward-thinking residential design. Visitors came from around the world to see how architects imagined homes could evolve.

Visiting requires patience since the property is entirely underground, and navigating the space can feel confusing at first. Keeping an exploratory mindset helps, as the unusual layout becomes part of the experience.

The residence featured early computer technology that controlled windows and blinds and could store household information. This integration of electronics into everyday home functions was groundbreaking for 1980 and showed how architects envisioned the smart home decades before it became commonplace.

Location: Ahwatukee

Inception: 1980

GPS coordinates: 33.33530,-112.00360

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:44