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Architects’ Houses

¹ Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, 1769–1784
² John Soane’s House, 1792–1824
³ Schroeder Gerrit Rietveld’s House, 1924
⁴ Konstantin Melnikov’s House, 1927–1929
⁵ Walter Gropius’ House, 1938

1/ Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

1769–1784

1/ Thomas Jefferson’s House, 1769–1784

While the look of the plantation villa was traditional, its technological side was revolutionary. The many engineering novelties included a flush toilet, dumb-waiter, a letter-copying device (a muscle-powered Xerox machine) and much else.

Thomas Jefferson, an American aristocrat, diplomat and president, was the architect of a single building on which he worked throughout his life. The house was his Virginia mansion, the famed Monticello.

1/ Thomas Jefferson’s House, 1769–1784

Book Room © Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello / Robert Lautman

This was, in short, the prototypical home of a mad scientist. One can imagine Jefferson torturing James Bond in one of the mansion’s great cellar spaces.

Architects’ own homes, especially in the 20th century, have been laboratories of invention. Jefferson’s home is the first in this line.

1/ Thomas Jefferson’s House — Gallery

Jefferson’s bedroom © Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello / Robert Lautman

Cabinet © Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello / Robert Lautman

North Octagonal Room, Madison’s Room © Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello

Dining room © Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello / Philip Beaurline

thomas jefferson’s house, north octagonal madison‘s room

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