The Grady Gammage Memorial aka Auditorium is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most spectacular works. Situated in the heart of Tempe, the multipurpose art facility highlights Arizona’s unique style.
Fans of 20th-century architecture will be fascinated by the eye-catching design of ASU Gammage. Located on Arizona State University’s main campus, it perfectly accentuates the Arizona desert.
Named after ASU’s former president Grady Gammage, the performing arts center is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s last public commissions. It’s also the only public building in Arizona designed by the famed architect. In 1957, Gammage asked Wright to assist with the project’s design. The two were close friends and wanted to create a distinctive new auditorium for the university.
AN IDEA IS BORN
Wright had an idea in his mind that had been developing for years. He originally designed an opera house for the capital city of Baghdad in Iraq, but in the end, the project never materialized. What was the reason behind it? None other than the 1958 Iraqi coup d’état and subsequent assassination of King Faisal II.
However, the revolution also birthed the opportunity for the Gammage theater proposal to be fast-tracked. Like Iraq, the Phoenix area has a similar arid climate. Therefore, Wright’s design worked perfectly for the hot and dry Arizona weather.
Unfortunately, the blueprints were never finished by the men. In 1959, both Grady Gammage and Frank Lloyd Wright passed away for different reasons. Soon after though, Wright’s apprentice William Wesley Peters finished the plans.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF ASU GAMMAGE GOES ON
In 1962, the construction for the project finally commenced, and 25 months later ASU Gammage was complete. Standing at a whopping 80 feet high and measuring 300 feet by 250 feet the structure is impressive, to say the least. It also fits perfectly with the dry burnt sands and sunny surrounding city of Tempe.
Architecture lovers will admire the history and uniqueness of the building! It’s got a little bit of everything, from the design of a world-renowned architect to the curious circumstances of its materialization. It’s something that catches your eye as you round the immense sprawl of Arizona State’s campus.
However, ASU Gammage is so much more than its pretty exterior. The 3,000-seat hall has been used for arts and performances of all kinds for years now. You’ll find it hosting stand-up comedians performing for large swaths of students. Touring Broadway shows stop by throughout the season and small concerts regularly appear in the theater. You’ll also experience Opera performances, popular musicals, and dramatic productions playing in the auditorium.
But, the highlight of the venue’s growing history is the 2004 presidential debate. A mid-October showdown between Bush and Kerry. Or perhaps, the speeches of Stephen Hawking, Maya Angelou, and Margaret Thatcher top the list of the theater’s presentations. In the end, it’s hard to compare, notable people are holding talks at ASU Gammage all the time.
I suggest taking a look at the list of upcoming performances on the ASU Gammage website to see if anything piques your interest. It’s a perfect place to beat the Arizona heat and experience one of the area’s many shows.
Fun Fact | The performance hall is wheelchair accessible and has an infrared system for people with hearing impairments. They also have individuals signing at the events (I saw a comedy show in the theater and can attest to this).
ASU Gammage (maps) seems to draw you in with its aesthetically pleasing layout and rich modern history. It’s one of the truly special buildings to see in Arizona!
