Monticello, Virginia, 1772

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As a whole floor plan, the building looks symmetric with the axis from east portico to west portico. It is related to ancient Roman and Greek architecture, but the building is a good example for neoclassic period because of the refinement of the interior space between private and open space. The heart of the building is living room, parlor where gathers all the members in the family. Parlor is the focus point of the house like an apse of the basilica church. In other words, the parlor is a pistil of the flower and other rooms are petals.

However, when we look closer to the floor plan, it is a complex system. We can see the utilitas that how Jefferson uses his private spaces which are library, greenhouse, south square room, and Jefferson’s cabinet. They all support his bedroom.

On the opposite side of the axis, they are more about open space that how he connects the parlor, dining and tea room together and they are indirectly linked to the opposite side. On the floor plan, I think the north square room and north octagonal room are room for his servants to support mostly the parlor, dining, and tea room.

There are a lot of interesting things in the interior plan. As we see the main of the house is parlor. Then, the bedroom and dining room are second mandatory of the building. Finally, the other rooms are created to support the three main rooms, which is related to different users.  Therefore, there are a variety of functional rooms based on the users’ habits, power, and character. The ultilitas of this planning can be applied for the modern architect.