The originalPope-Leighey House had a very concise and elegant floor plan that was developed to be both visually pleasing but also highly functional. This design favored simplicity, harmonic proportions, and focused on capturing the relationship between the living spaces and the surrounding gardens. The two stories created intersecting angles that allowed natural light to reach all parts of the interior. Of all the existing design plans, the floor plan of this house is one of the most iconic. The floor plan starts by entering the house through the front door, which then branches out to a combined living and dining space located to the right. This space received plenty of natural light thanks to its strategic Cathedral windows located on the side walls. To the left are two bedrooms, while the kitchen is located further down, hidden from view. The design is quite functional, as each part is interconnected and can be moved around depending on preferences. The upper floor of the Pope-Leighey house follows the same imperative, with a master bedroom and a library located on the left and the children's bedrooms and bathrooms located to the right. All of this was connected through a luxuriousgrand hallway, capturing the essence of the house. In addition, the exterior of the house was designed to complement the interior layout, complete with generated courtyards and gardens.Pope Leighey House Floor Plan
Frank Lloyd Wright's designs are famous for their aesthetic style and their deep understanding of the principles of architecture, and this same understanding of the principles of design can be found in the Pope-Leighey house design. The historic plans for this house depended heavily upon creative thinking, but also an understanding of how the actual design of the house would affect the environment. The concept of the Pope-Leighey house was to capture the essence of a Southern plantation home, where all the individual parts of the house would complement each other. The house was designed to be highly efficient in terms of its interior space utilization, and the exterior was also designed to embody the same mental concept of a comfortable Southern home. Historic plans of this house also included details on the placement of fences, trees, and gardens around the building, creating a beautiful exterior environment for the occupants. The plans for the Pope-Leighey house also put a lot of emphasis on the interior design principles. All the rooms were designed to allow function, aesthetic, and practicality to combine as one, creating a dream home that could be used and enjoyed for years to come. Pope Leighey House Historic Plans
The history of the Pope-Leighey house is very interesting, as it was one of only two designs by the famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1940, the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, created the Historic American Buildings Survey, in order to document and preserve historic buildings throughout the nation. Of these documented buildings, the Pope-Leighey house was one of the first to be listed. When the house was listed as one of the Historic American Buildings, it was noted that the main appeal of the house lied in its simple yet effective lines. The building was also praised for its originality, as the home featured a few features not often seen in other homes during the era. Some of these features included verandas, terraces, balconies, and even a porch swing. It wasn't until after the house was listed in the Historic American Buildings Survey that it became a beloved design for many. Although the Pope-Leighey house wasn't the last design from Wright, it had a huge influence on other architects. To this day, Wright's influence can be seen in modern designs, making the Pope-Leighey house a beacon of design history.Pope-Leighey House Design History
A complete documentation of the Pope-Leighey house was created and stored by the Knoxville-Knox County Public Library in the early 1940s. This documentation serves as a reference for the original design of the house as well as any alterations made over the years. The documentation includes the original plans as well as formulas and scaling illustrations. The original plans of the house provide insight into how the Pope-Leighey House design was created so that it could fit into the historic character of the area. In addition, the documentation includes illustrations of how the house was meant to be used as well as the aesthetic elements that were present in the original design. This architectural documentation is invaluable for anyone looking to replicate or study the original design of the Pope-Leighey House. The documentation also provides information about any alterations made to the house over the years. Since the documentation was created in the 1940s, some of the details have been altered or upgraded. This documentation provides insight into which elements of the original design have been kept and which elements have been changed.Pope-Leinghey House Design Documentation
The Pope-Leighey House went through some alterations over the years since it was created in 1940. Initially, the size of the house was much larger than what it is today. In 1966, the size of the house was reduced significantly as the property owners wanted to focus on creating an efficient design. Some of the other changes made to the house include the addition of a garage, pool, and other areas for entertainment. Despite these changes, the historic integrity of the house has remained intact since most of the design elements are still Pompeiian and still embody the original spirit of the house. Additionally, the alterations focus on implementing more functional rather than aesthetic changes, making it easier for people to use the house for a variety of different purposes.Pope-Leighey House Alterations
One of the most iconic and recognizable elements of the Pope-Leighey House design is the two-story structure that features a Cedar Shake roof and a grand entrance with Doric columns. The overall effect of the design was meant to be both pleasing to the eye and highly functional. This design was highly influential in the art deco and mid-century modern movements. The design of the Pope-Leighey house made a statement about the nature of modern architecture. It was able to capture the essence of a Southern plantation home and distill it into an efficient and functional package. In this way, the house was a perfect example of how modern designs could be poetic while still maintaining practicality. In addition, the elements of the design made it simple for people to enjoy the outdoors at any time. The combination of the interior and exterior of the house was an incredible combination of comfort and practicality that is still appreciated to this day.Pope-Leighey House Designs
The Pope-Leighey House is a great example of an iconic art deco house design, and it has been around for generations. Taking a virtual tour to get a better understanding of the house is a great way to get a better understanding of the design and appreciate all the little details. The virtual tour starts off at the front of the house, with the iconic slapped roof and the two columns framing the grand entrance. From there, you can take a virtual walk through the house and explore all the different rooms and living spaces. The virtual tour also takes you through the gardens and outdoor spaces, giving you a sense of how the design complements the environment as a whole. If you're interested in learning more about the Pope-Leighey House and its history, then the virtual tour is a great way to do so. It gives you an intimate glimpse at the design, allowing you to appreciate the interior as well as the exterior of the house. Plus, if you have any questions, the tour is fantastic for providing more historical and technical information about the house.Pope-Leighey House Virtual Tour