Wright prepared two versions of the Copeland house remodeling, neither one was executed in its entirety. Wright's first scheme, dated 1908, reconfigured the interior into a much freer, more open flow of space. Partitions were removed and the exterior walls were opened with larger glass areas. The second and third floors interiors were changed to a far lesser extent. Outside, the changes were so substantial that the original house would have been unrecognizable, as was the case with the Dana, Beachy, and Hills-DeCaro houses. Wright's second scheme substantially reduced the interior remodeling, but the exterior would have still been substantially altered. In the completed project, the scope of work was substantially reduced from the original concept. Perhaps Wright's departure for Europe a month after the remodeling was begun was a major reason for this; always the consummate salesman, he might have persuaded Dr Copeland to stick with his design. But responsibility for supervising the completion of the project was transferred to Hermann von Holst, who Wright hired to complete his work in progress upon his departure. Copeland's granddaughter, Frances Fahrney Beachy, when asked why the remodel was not completed according to the original scheme, said "the Copelands didn't think it was necessary." Perhaps Wright would have been able to convince them otherwise.
In the completed project the exterior changes are such that the casual observer is likely unable to detect Wright's influence in this building. The roofline was extended and eaves widened. One chimney was removed and the other changed into a Prairie shape. The third floor dormer was altered into a band of windows and the front door was entirely redesigned with art glass sidelights and transom. Click the link below to see a comparison of the Copeland house exterior before and after Wright's remodeling.
Inside, Wright transformed the cube-like Victorian rooms into a succession of flowing spaces, one into another. He designed a sideboard and tables and chairs for the dining room, remodelled the kitchen and added a terrace to the back. The stairway was remodelled to the second floor, in a way that concealed the lack of any Prairie updating to the upper level.
Wright also remodeled the garage, work on this began in 1908. The pitch of the roof was lowered and eaves extended to shelter new diamond patterned window bays to the east and west. A shop addition was added to the south side and the exterior was surfaced in cement plaster.
The Copelands lived in the house until 1929. The Copeland house was restored beginning in 1990.
