Frank Lloyd Wright is a renowned Architect who has revolutionized the design of buildings in the modern era with his unique and distinctive approach to architecture. His designs, especially for residential buildings, have become iconic and a landmark of modern architectural design. The Hanna House in Palo Alto, California is one such example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s unique art deco style. In the early 1920s, Wright designed this five-story house for the wealthy California-based businessman, Mark Hanna. The house had a unique floor plan and many distinct features that made it one of the most admired art deco houses of the 1930s.Frank Lloyd Wright's Hanna House Plans
The Hanna house plan consists of a three-story main structure flanked by two adjacent wings. The main structure contains three terraces connected by winding stairs. The interior of the main building contains four bedrooms and seven bathrooms. In the center of the plan is a large living room with a fireplace. The entire house is another masterpiece of art deco design and the architectural drawings for the Hanna house are one of the most studied and admired designs of Frank Lloyd Wright's career. The plans depict a precise and simple structure with distinct features that make it distinct from other deco designs of the period.Architectural Drawings for Frank Lloyd Wright's Hanna House
The exact details of the Hanna house plan have been subject to much debate over the years. Various reviews have been published on the plan, providing alternate interpretations. Some reviews focus on the floor plan, which is typical for a deco house. The rooms are arranged in a horizontal linear fashion, with the bedrooms at the center and the drawers and cabinets arranged in the wings. Other reviews focus on the outdoor elements of the plan, which are especially unique. The terraces, which contain garden areas, are especially prominent, as is the winding staircase connecting the ground floor to the terraces.Frank Lloyd Wright Hanna House – Plan Review
The first floor plan of the Hanna house features a large living room with a fireplace at its center. The center of the living room transitions to a formal dining area. Moving clockwise, the first floor plan then transitions to an additional living space, followed by the main staircase, and a butler's pantry. Additionally, there is a secured entrance for service personnel, and on the opposite side the master bedroom, complete with en-suite bathroom. Finally, two guest bedrooms complete the symmetrical floor plan of the first floor.Frank Lloyd Wright Hanna House – First Floor Plan
The second floor of the house is an open plan arcaded living space, with the main drawing room at its center. Accessed via a staircase connecting the two floors, the drawing room is surrounded by four bedrooms and a central hallway. The design of this floor plan is symmetrical, though the general atmosphere created by the curved walls and architectural details is one of openness and airiness. Aside from the drawing room, this floor plan also features a private study, a music studio, a library, and a reading room, all of which are connected to each other through an arched door.Frank Lloyd Wright Hanna House – Second Floor Plan
While the Hanna house plans remain an iconic design of modern architecture, over the years there have been many revisions and new interpretation of the original plans. In 1929, architect Philip Johnson released a revised version of the Hanna house plans that included an additional roof plan and an integrated roof plan. Meanwhile, in 1963, an updated version of the plans with a terrace plan was released. All these versions of the plan feature slight variations but retain the overall art deco influences of the original design.Frank Lloyd Wright's Hanna House Plans Revisited
The reworked roof plan for the Hanna house was released in 1929 by architect Philip Johnson. The revised roof plan was simpler than the original one and had a more modern look. This version featured a roof with a flat tile pitch, a center gable dormer, and a large back porch. The roof was divided into four sections, each defining the individual terraces on the third floor. This was an improvement on the original plans which used an irregularly shaped roof with additional winglets. The entire roof design used the same terracotta tile as the main portion of the house.Frank Lloyd Wright's Hanna House Plans Revisited: 1929 Roof Plan
The 1929 integrated roof plan is another significant revision to the original Hanna house plans. This version featured a single continuous roof, unifying the four separate sections of the original plan. The unified roof allowed for an even pitch and a more modern design. The dormers were located differently along the roof and the porch in the rear was reduced in size. The unified roof was the first major design shift away from the original plans, and was a major step towards making art deco homes a more unified and symmetrical design.Frank Lloyd Wright's Hanna House Plans Revisited: 1929 Integrated Roof Plan
The site plan for the Hanna house was also revised in 1929. The revised site plan included a greater emphasis on outdoor living, with the addition of trees and hedges around the perimeter of the property. The terraced grounds of the house were intended to provide a feeling of refuge and privacy. Additionally, the site plan included a smaller pool, a tennis court, and a curved driveway with a garage in the lower left corner of the plan.Frank Lloyd Wright's Hanna House Plans Revisited: 1929 Site Plan
The terrace plan for the Hanna house was another significant revision. This version added a second terrace to the right side of the house, effectively creating a walled courtyard around the living area. The original terrace was also redesigned to include a pool, a garden, and a gate entry. Other additions included stairs from the terrace to the third floor and a garage in the bottom left hand corner. The terrace plan provided a complex and varied atmosphere for the entire house.Frank Lloyd Wright's Hanna House Plans Revisited: 1929 Terrace Plan
Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs for the Hanna house are influential and iconic. These plans defined an era of art deco house designs and used innovative features like terraces, curved walls, and integrated roofs to create a modern and unique aesthetic. Subsequent revisions added to the complexity of the plans, ultimately creating one of the century’s most influential house designs. The Hanna house also stands as a tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright and his unique vision of modern architecture. House Designs - Frank Lloyd Wright's Hanna House Plans