Pop by Pope-Leighey House
Virginia is filled with wonderful places to visit – least of all magical wineries. But perhaps one of its best-kept secrets is a home designed by renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1939 Pope-Leighey House was commissioned by a journalist, Loren Pope, whose salary was all of $50/week. A mere 1,200 square feet, this modest family home was Wright’s response to the challenge of building affordable and comfortable dwellings that sat in harmony with its environment. The result was a beautifully crafted home nestled perfectly into the hillside.
In typical Wright fashion his design brought nature inside, using modest materials and a flat roof. No detail was spared in the design of the home including a roof that was supported by only three brick masses, creating the illusion it was floating over the entire space. Supporting beams, after all, merely got in the way. So despite the size of the home, you never feel closed in.
Every nook and cranny has a reminder of the home’s relationship with nature. This begins right at the entranceway where the Cherokee red-painted concrete starts before the doors and continues into the building – instantly creating a welcoming environment for visitors.
Inside the two-level, L-shaped home, you will find furniture created by Wright specifically for the residence. Intricately designed windows let in the maximum amount of light. Interlocking bookshelves removed the need for nails. Radiant heater with hot water pipes were embedded in the concrete slab of the home, which was a source of heat without the clunky radiators.
When you think about “green” or modern homes, Pope-Leighey is probably not the first thing that will come to mind. But builders of today could learn from the simple, breathtaking beauty of this home, laying in complete accord with nature, made with local materials and standing the test of time.
The House is open to the public from Thursday through Monday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Guided tours are available every thirty minutes with the last tour at 4:00 PM.
What: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House
Where: 9000 Richmond Highway (U.S. Route 1), Alexandria, VA
Contact: Tel 703-780-4000
Website: http://popeleighey1940.org/
Photo via Flickr (Creative Commons) by Cliff1066
Category: THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND DC
@yogitastic - I was totally fascinated reading this, yet again you've found a place I never knew of and MUST see this Spring playing #dctourist!
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