Woodlawn & Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, Virginia
In the suburbs outside of Washington, DC, lies a stunning example of early modern architecture with a stunning view of the Potomac River- the Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, Virginia. Designed by one of America’s most preeminent architects- Frank Lloyd Wright- this residence was commissioned by Virginia businessman Robert L. Pope in 1939. It was the first of Wright'sUsonian designs, a word he coined to describe “the common man’s home.” This iconic house, now owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is an example of the birth of American modernism.
Alexandria, VA can be seen here.
The Pope-Leighey house is an example of Wright's Usonian or residential architecture which was designed to express a post-World War II era lifestyle. Wright designed his Usonian homes to be economically efficient and use fewer materials. This house in Alexandria is a single-story, three-bedroom home demonstrating this goal. The house is composed of non-load-bearing walls that consist of glass windows enclosed with wooden frames. This allowed for natural light and ventilation- also a common theme of the Usonian style. The house also features a large wall brick that wraps around half of the structure, adding an aesthetically pleasing element.
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At the time of its construction, the Pope-Leighey House stood on land that was part of George Mason’s estate- Woodlawn. Although Woodlawn is now part of Alexandria, Virginia, it maintains its original role as a cultural center. Among its many features include an auditorium, a museum, and the original Pope-Leighey house. Woodlawn also features various elements of Wright’s Usonian style. The museum is composed of Wright’s signature angular designs, while the auditorium is composed of columns and balconies. These buildings are some of the earliest examples of this style in the Washington metropolitan area.
The story of Woodlawn is steeped in American history. George Mason, a significant figure in the American Revolution, bought the land in 1772 and turned it into a plantation. Later, the Pope-Leighey House was built as a tenant house on the property in 1938. Over the years, the house and land have been owned by a variety of people including the National Park Service and the Smith Family, who owned the property from 1956 to 1972. In 1972, the house was purchased by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and today, the property is open as a museum.
The Pope-Leighey House is now known internationally for its unique Usonian architecture and for its place within the Woodlawn estate. This residence is a brilliant example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s post-World War II style of architecture, and it demonstrates the changing ideas of American life at the time. It is a reminder of the enthusiasm of a time when people looked toward a better future. Today, the Pope-Leighey House is a monument to this era and to the achievements of one of America’s greatest architects. Thank you for reading this article with deep attention. If you like this article, share it with your friends and also with your near and dear ones. I hope you will soon visit this wonderful place.
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