Considering the Pope-Leighey House, have you ever wondered how a middle-class family ended up commissioning a home from the great Frank Lloyd Wright? This Usonian home stands as a testament to Wright’s vision of accessible and beautiful housing for all.
The Pope-Leighey House sits on the grounds of Woodlawn Plantation. This is near Alexandria, Virginia. It is one of only three homes in Virginia designed by Wright.
In 1938, Loren Pope saw Wright on the cover of Time Magazine. Wright expressed a desire to design homes for middle-class Americans. Pope saw an opportunity. He wanted a Wright-designed home for himself.
Pope wrote to Wright expressing his fervent wish for a house created by him. Wright agreed. He designed a 1200-square-foot home for the Popes.
Pope was making only $50 per week. He secured a loan from his employer. The Washington Evening Star lent him $5700. The Pope-Leighey House cost $7000. This was a remarkably low price for a Wright design.
Frank Lloyd Wright was a leading figure in American modern architecture. The Pope-Leighey House exemplifies Usonian architecture. The Pope-Leighey House features an L shape. It also features a flat roof and natural building materials. The design integrates the outdoors with the indoors. Wright even considered naming it Touchstone.
Wright believed architecture could impact social issues. He designed the Pope-Leighey House to nurture the lives of its inhabitants. Wright paid attention to every detail. This included the appliances, furniture and decor.
Functionalism was a key tenet of modernism. Wright believed form and function were one. The Pope-Leighey House reflects this. It is both rational and decorative.
Wright wanted to deconstruct the typical box shape of houses. He wanted space to flow freely. The Pope-Leighey House feels open and protective.
The Pope-Leighey House blurs the line between indoors and outdoors. Wright believed architecture should integrate into its environment. He drew inspiration from nature.
Glass is featured prominently. French doors and clerestory windows allow natural light to enter. The windows create patterned light throughout the house. The Pope-Leighey House uses natural temperature regulation. This innovative design uses windows and radiant-floor heating.
The brick and wood are treated with clear wax. The floor is Cherokee Red. This is one of Wright’s signature colors. A cantilevered carport extends above the driveway.
Wright designed the furniture. It was included with the property. The furniture reflects the Usonian principle of rational and livable housing.
Wright oversaw every detail. He even insisted Pope cut down a magnolia tree that grew too tall. It interfered with the design.
Construction began in 1940. Wright chose Gordon Chadwick as the general contractor. Howard Rickert was the primary carpenter. Wright visited the site several times.
Wright never requested his final payment. He was concerned about the Popes’ ability to afford the house. The Pope family moved into the house in 1941.
In 1946, the Popes sold the home to Robert and Marjorie Leighey. In 1964, the Virginia Department of Highways condemned the house. It was in the path of Interstate 66.
Marjorie Leighey donated the Pope-Leighey House to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The house was moved to Woodlawn Plantation. The Pope-Leighey House opened to the public in 1965.
In 1995, the Pope-Leighey House was relocated again. This was due to unstable marine clay. It remains on the site today.
Today the National Trust preserves the Pope-Leighey House. It is complete with original decor and furniture. Visitors can experience Wright’s Usonian vision. This unique home reminds us of Wright’s commitment to accessible design. It shows how good architecture can be both beautiful and affordable.