Raleigh Art Architecture & Urbanism

Local Architect to key AIA Lecture Series in San Antonio

2011-03-15T14:22:00.002-04:00

Raleigh Architect and NCSU Professor Frank Harmon will be the featured speaker for the AIA Lecture Series in San Antonio, Texas, on March 30.

Recent Visit to Prairie Ridge Ecostation

2011-01-07T10:08:00.027-05:00

A recent visit to Prairie Ridge Ecostation opened my eyes to how much is going on there. The 45 acres of prime Piedmont landscape, trapped on an island between several major thoroughfares including I-440, and Wade Avenue as it merges with I - 40, is a protected natural oasis amidst the transportation bustle of West Raleigh.

Prairie Ridge Outdoor Classroom - Treehugger.com

Hemmed in by state-owned buildings and continued development, visitors have access to several eco-friendly structures, prairie, forest and a stream - typical features of the Piedmont Region. Accessed from Edwards Mill or Blue Ridge roads, Prairie Ridge is part of North Carolina's Museum of Natural Science's mission to "enhancing public understanding and appreciation of the natural environment while acting as a model for renewable and sustainable energy."

Surprised as I was to see all the effort that has been put into raising awareness and instructing about sustainable living, I was shocked to learn that an even bolder plan is being envisioned for the future. An overnight facility is being designed to allow visitors the first-hand experience of what it means to live a sustainable lifestyle in the Piedmont, by Frank Harmon's office known as the Prairie Ridge Eco-Lodge. Harmon's office also designed the outdoor classroom, featured in Architectural Record in November 2006. They also provide opportunities for education for visitors of all ages, and other "green" events.

The staff was friendly, and knowledgeable about both the design of the structures as well as the ecology of the natural environment. They shared with us that an upcoming meeting will determine if funding is in place for the Eco-Lodge to be built. Specifics about the meeting will be posted when we find out more information.

If you haven't been out to Prairie Ridge, or just haven't been in awhile, stop by (hours) and someone will be happy to show you around, or take the self-guided tour - either way, it's worth your time.

We're back... again

2011-01-04T21:57:00.004-05:00

What better way to return from a long absence of blogging about architecture and urbanism in Raleigh, by posting a very short link to underground urban exploration in New York... Well, it's happening - so we hope you enjoy it.

Photo NPR.org

Undercity.org: Guerilla History & Urban Exploration

On a personal note...

2010-12-08T07:38:00.002-05:00

Today is a very sad day for those of us who knew Elizabeth Edwards. She had the uncanny ability to always see the best in everyone, myself included. Although she would carry the pain of Wade's death with her the rest of her life she would use their tragedy as a catalyst for helping others and for that I admired her greatly. We weren't great buddies by any means, Wade and I, but I considered him a friend and I know he felt the same. Through him I got to know his mother and although we hadn't spoken in over 13 years, she is and will always continue to be, one of the best people I will ever know.

Link

Moore Square Meeting THIS THURSDAY

2010-09-05T17:50:00.008-04:00

Moore Square Meeting THIS THURSDAY. Whether you like the scheme or not it's important to attend the meeting, especially if you live downtown. They need your input. See below.

Public Meeting #1 will be held on Thursday,
September 9, 2010 at Cobblestone Hall in historic City Market (across
the street from Moore Square). There are two opportunities to participate.
Session 1: 1pm-4pmSession 2: 7pm-10pm

N & O Home of the Month

2010-09-02T16:52:00.003-04:00

Vernacular Studios' Bridge House, on Crabtree Creek, is the latest addition to the News and Observer's "Home of the Month" series. They have also been previously recognized by the publication for their Edenton Street residence. Congratulations to those guys, they deserve it.

Bridge House

Two Days Left to Vote for Local Grad Student in the Build a Better Burb Competition

2010-08-30T10:25:00.004-04:00

Matt Tomasulo, a Planning/Landscape Architecture dual degree candidate, is one of twenty three finalists for his proposal "B.U.R.P. the Burb: Build Urban Relationships for People" in the Long Island Index organized Build a Better Burb Ideas Competition on Long Island. The competition states "The time for thinking cautiously is over. New visions are needed for the next generation of suburban centers." You can check out the other twenty two finalists in the site's gallery or jump straight to Matt's proposal here. Voting ends Aug. 31st.

NC State & AIA Triangle Fall Lecture Series

2010-08-19T21:52:00.004-04:00

The lecture series sponsored jointly by NC State College of Design and AIA Triangle has announced the fall lineup - and there are several great names. The theme for the series is Sacred + Secular. As always, all lectures are free and open to the public, in Burns Auditorium at the College of Design. This year the lectures will return to 6:00 pm, parking is free after 5:00 pm behind Kamphoefner Hall.

Check out the poster below, and be sure to mark your calendar (or more likely put a reminder in your phones) for the lectures you would like to attend.

Syme Hall Rain Garden ribbon cutting

2010-08-06T15:50:00.006-04:00

NCSU Landscape Architecture is celebrating the completion of the program's first design-build studio project. The project transforms Syme Hall's backyard into a more raingarden.

From SHIFT, NCSU Landscape Architecture Student Blog, a brief description of the project:

"After weeks of digging up dirt, pouring concrete, tilling soil and laying bricks, the students have essentially created a natural filtering system in the form of a garden. Plants with deep roots are used to absorb some rainwater. The rest is channeled into a cistern and into infiltration zones, where it flows through layers of mulch, sand, soil and glass beads called cullet to remove pollutants and sediment."

The ribbon cutting is open to the public:

August, 17, 2010 at 10 a.m.

Burns Auditorium, 1st Floor Kamphoefner Hall

PLEASE RSVP to Melissa Miklus by August 10, 2010 at melissa_miklus@ncsu.edu

Raleigh's Foundation featured in this month's issue of Garden & Gun magazine.

2010-08-02T16:23:00.002-04:00

The Secret South

All Southerners have their secrets—whether it’s a favorite BBQ joint or empty stretch of beach. Thankfully, when we asked for yours, you told us. We took your suggestions, vetted them with locals, tested some ourselves, and developed our guide to some of the South’s best-kept secrets

Foundation
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh’s Foundation, slightly hidden below ground in the capital’s downtown (look for a neon sign at ankle level), is nearly all native: beers from North Carolina, American wines (with seven hailing—perhaps bravely—from the East Coast), and a stellar bourbon collection. Foundation’s cocktail menu changes seasonally, employing house-made sodas, including Foundation’s own cola and tonic water. (foundationnc.com)

The Secret South

The Buckminster Fuller Challenge

2010-07-28T08:51:00.006-04:00

GET YOUR ENTRIES IN!!

"Each year a distinguished jury will award a $100,000 prize to support the development and implementation of a strategy that has significant potential to solve humanity’s most pressing problems"

The deadline for entries is 5pm (Eastern Standard Time) on MONDAY OCTOBER 4, 2010

Link

Meet George Smart (the man behind Triangle Modernist Houses)

2010-07-22T15:23:00.004-04:00

“I’m trying to create as much passion (the word covet was actually used but it doesn’t sound right in print) for these architectural gems as possible…” says George Smart, referring to one of the ways he is protecting the Triangle’s stock of modernist housing ( 3^rd largest in the nation) by getting people excited about the houses so that when they list for sale or rent, they will be snapped up instantly.

Meet George Smart – a Raleigh native and the son of an architect. George had zero interest in architecture until 3-4 years ago, but now he sits in the living room of a modern home (and world headquarters of Triangle Modernist Houses) in Durham County (he says he survived the purging of Raleigh natives in the 80’s by escaping over the border to Durham County). Recently completed , his new house was designed and built by Tonic Design and Tonic Construction.

The same George Smart who decided to pursue business as a profession rather than architecture, after he got ammonia poisoning in the 70’s working for his Father’s architecture office in the summer. He simply didn’t find architecture fun – so he pursued business by studying at UNC, NC State and Duke for an MBA, focusing on services marketing rather than the more traditional product marketing. The same George Smart who in 2007 established Triangle Modernist Houses, “A 501C3 nonprofit documenting, preserving and promoting residential modernist architecture” in the Triangle, which now serves as an archive of over 1,000 modernist houses in North Carolina. The same George Smart who currently works as a business and executive coach, helping people and businesses set goals to,” to get out of the way of their business” and let them grow.

His life is an eclectic mix of architecture and business, and occasionally the two converge – with a few of his clients being architects. He says that through candid, sometimes uncomfortable conversations with business owners, he can help them overcome crucial flaws, personal weaknesses and create successful businesses.

Over the past 3-4 years George has spent thousands of hours devoted to TMH; some days its 2-3 hours a day or just on weekends, but on tour weeks it can be nearly full time. With all this personal time invested in a labor of love, George admits he does have some favorites. Among those both newly constructed and destroyed and in no particular order: the Catalano House by Eduardo Catalano; Cassilhaus by Ellen Cassilly, Chiles House by Tonic Design/Vinny Petrarca, The Koch House by Arthur Cogswell, The Thompson Residence by David Davenport, and the John and Helen Latimer Residence by John Latimer. All of these can (of course) be found on Triangle Modernist Houses.com.

From Weekend Pastime to Burgeoning Organization - Finding an Untapped Market and the Formation of TMH

So how exactly did George go from his self-described “zero” interest in architecture to spending thousands of hours volunteering (with his own organization) to protect and encourage the stock of modern housing in the Triangle? Paraphrasing his version of it, he was minding his own business late one night on the internet (don’t so many great stories start this way?) while considering one day building his own house, possibly modern. He typed in Raleigh modern houses into Google, and to his surprise he found only the Matsumoto house, Milton Small Home and Office, and a few small tours taking place around the Triangle. He said at this moment he could hear his Dad’s voice in his head talking about all of his architect friends’ houses so he thought he would dig a little deeper. George created a list of about 20 modern houses in the area and compiled them into a word document, with no real intention as to where it would lead, just purely out of personal interest.

Next he began driving around neighborhoods on weekends and checking out houses. He took his list to architects and they told him it was a good start, and each offered him several more to add to the list. Once he got the list to about 60 houses people began to encourage him to build a website, and that’s what he did in the fall of 2007 – Triangle Modernist Houses. As the list began to grow, as well as outside interest, George realized an untapped market of modern architecture enthusiasm existed in the triangle.

As the meteoric rise of TMH continued, he planned his first tour. By the middle of 2008 George had begun to meet not only others interested in modern architecture, but the homeowners of many of the properties. They decided to test out a tour of a few homes, but George doesn’t do anything without careful preparation. Research being such a big part of his professional life, he wanted to find out how other tours were faring (both locally and nationally), as well as any issues they were running into. The result of his research was the TMH tour format: visitors park at a central location and ride buses to avoid any ill-will from neighbors forced to endure overcrowding caused by hundreds of cars, allowing for multiple-house tours, and the tours are well-publicized events. Visitors get a very unique opportunity and a great value – all a direct result of George’s efforts. Fringe benefits also include riding around on buses with other individuals interested in architecture.

The first tour was a huge hit - 200 people showed up and George was surprised at the turnout. The tour was of three houses on Rugby Road in Durham in May of 2008. From these somewhat humble beginnings, great things have blossomed. By this fall TMH will have sponsored 15 tours, totaling 3000-4000 people, including three out-of-state tours: A New York tour with 24 attendees, a Washington DC tour where 15 people went along, and this September a Fallingwater/Pittsburgh tour with a max of 28 available seats (at the time of the interview half the seats had sold).

These out of state trips are a special treat for those who travel along. George calls them his paratroopers . They get up very early one morning, see as much as modern architecture as is humanly possible in one day and catch the last flight out. This way expenses are able to stay relatively low, with the maximum bang for the buck for the attendees. George works very hard on these trips to make them special for those who make the trip. Take the NY trip for example: the day began by landing at JFK and heading over to the closed TWA Terminal designed by Eero Saarinen, for a personal tour by an architect involved in the renovations, followed by an open house of the Smith Residence in Connecticut by Richard Meier. Thereafter the group headed over to Long Island to see Richard Meiers’s Model Museum. The day ended at the Museum of Modern Art for a Bauhaus exhibit. George took care of all the details, arranged for the bus travel – all the attendees had to do is enjoy the ride.

The other tours were just as special. The DC trip included, among other stops, a visit to the last house Richard Neutra designed in America (the Brown House), and a visit to the Hirshhorn Museum designed by Gordon Bunshaft. In many cases, the original homeowners still live in houses TMH tours, opening their homes to these visitors as a special exception.

George said what happened to the Catalano house (it was destroyed in 2001) is what ignited his passion – he knew he needed to become involved to never let that type of tragedy occur again. By creating as much interest as possible, he can assist in the efforts to keep vacancy from ever occurring (this is just one of the ways, more will be written about TMH’s preservation efforts in part 2 of this article). TMH is doing a great job so far. He frequently hears from people who have taken pages from his website and drive around past the various houses. He loves to hear stories from fans of the website, and is happy to hear they use the site to tour or study.

According to George there is no typical demographic for modern enthusiasts – only 10-15% are architects, the others have a variety of reasons for wanting to visit houses. For some it’s architectural design, for others it’s interiors and furniture, and some just like the hardware. Levels of interest range from people who have designed many houses, to others who live in modern houses (or want to in the future and are thus potential clients for future purchase/renting) and some just have a few coffee table books. Whatever the level of interest and involvement, there is a place for everyone at the TMH tours.

George was so generous with his time, we got plenty of material to write about TMH. This, along with the fact that no one would read a 30 minute article in one sitting (especially on the internet) caused us to divide the article in two sections. The next section will discuss the future of TMH and a tour through George’s newly-finished modern house in Durham County by Tonic Design.

North Carolina Museum of Art featured in Architectural Record

2010-07-09T13:33:00.004-04:00

The recently completed addition to the North Carolina Museum of Art has been featured in this month's issue of Architectural Record. The article provides a breakdown of most of the major formal moves by Thomas Phifer and Partners, as well as some fantastic photography. If for nothing but the photography, it is worth following the link. The article also calls to attention a precedent we had also thought of after visiting the new museum - Kahn's Kimbell Art Museum in Dallas, specifically the skylight detail. The skylights bring in ample, high quality natural light to allow the artwork of NCMA's permanent collection to be viewed the way it is supposed to be.

addition to NCMA under construction December 2009

Although we're not thoroughly convinced of all the aspects of the building; such as the entry, exterior form/skin, and at least one of the sculptures on the grounds (the tree that looks to be a knockoff of a similar one located in RDU Terminal 2) I must say that the interior of the building itself is an experience unlike any I have ever encountered. In an age of objectified buildings, the interior of the NCMA allows the visitor to essentially forget the building itself even exists and becomes a blank canvas of sorts for the collection. That is the real strength and beauty of the building - its success in remaining true to its purpose.

Marvin Malecha Interview on Arch Daily (2009)

2010-06-25T09:48:00.005-04:00

Current Dean of NC State's College of Design and 2008-09 President of the AIA, Marvin Malecha gives an interview for Arch Daily at the AIA Convention. The audio for the 25 minute interview is a little scratchy at times, but it is only a small bother.

The interview begins with a brief introduction of the AIA and then the interview moves into salient topics such as: selecting an architecture school, learning individually how to design, the importance of social networking in architecture, designing for a sustainable future, drastic changes ongoing in the field of architecture and the future of the AIA, just to name a few topics.

A couple of solid one-liners from the interview:

"We do not have architecture until we have people. We fail at architecture if we don't improve the lives of people."

"Design is a verb, not a noun. Great architecture is a verb and not a noun."

"Architects set the stage for life."

Enjoy!

AD Interviews: Marvin Malecha from ArchDaily on Vimeo.

Donations Needed for Wake County Recycling Center Convenience Huts

2010-06-21T11:34:00.007-04:00

NCSU College Of Design- Wake County Partnership

Convenience Center Huts (CCH) Design-Build

Three (3) CCH for Wake County Recycling Centers

The Project:

Every week, thousands of people drop off trash and recyclables at Wake County Convenience Centers. Convenience Center Huts (CCHs) are the first thing that they see. These buildings will be a signpost for recycling, reuse, conservation, and clean energy generation. CCHs also house and protect the staff in inclement weather, they offer a small workspace, and they include a small place to prepare and eat basic meals.

The Parameters:

· Limit the finished building size (not including the foundation or the ramp) so that it fits into a box that is 8’ 6” wide, 11’ 0” tall, and 14’ 0” long. To be built off-site and moved via tele-handler.

· Limit the weight of the structure to 3,000 pounds

· Collect, store, and dispense gravity fed and dispensed rainwater for irrigation

· Use materials, form, and systems to communicate positive information about recycling, reuse, clean energy generation, water conservation, and energy conservation to center users

· Use a minimum of 50% (by weight) recycled or reused materials

· Meet all Commercial Building Codes/ ADA Universal Design parameters

Community Partnerships- Support:

The recycling centers attempt to address the waste crisis attached to our society's consumption culture. In-kind donations, scrap materials, financial resources, and other support from community organizations/ businesses act as a public display of a commitment to the reduction and recycling of waste on both the production and consumption sides. Each CCH is less than 120 sq. ft. and what might be unusable for certain companies would be a perfect reuse opportunity in our projects. In-kind donations might include TPO roofing membrane, technical assistance, electrical assistance, certified welder assistance, doors/ windows, nominal lumber, building paper, etc.

We are able to offer tax-deductions based on in-kind or material donations, as well as provide permanent signage to acknowledge business' support, inclusion in documentation website, and mention in any publicity from newspapers, etc.

Contact:

For further information or to make donations contact Christoph 443.472.6992.

Designs:

Below you will find images of the two of the three designs for the Convenience Center Huts (CCH). Projects are already through Design Development, currently in the Permitting Process, with the end of construction being the first week in August.

Site 1: 10505 Old Stage Road

Site 8: NC Highway 98

Site 9: 3401 New Hill Holleman

Urban Oasis - Raleigh Rose Garden

2010-06-16T22:15:00.009-04:00

A recent visit to Raleigh Little Theatre and adjacent Rose Garden, caused me to realize the value of this little-known park. Located on Pogue Street in a well-established neighborhood just North of Hillsborough Street, this urban oasis offers beautifully landscaped gardens, many quite places for repose and a variety of shows and events – both indoor and outdoor.

Its neighborhood location, landscaped perimeter and sunken site make it near impossible to locate if you don’t know what you are looking for. Larger than a pocket park, (but certainly no regional park) the Rose Garden is a park unique unto itself. Moreover, the park serves as a prime example and metaphor for the beauty of the city of Raleigh. Initially there is no overwhelming reason to love the place, but over time, ones appreciation grows as the ease and tranquility of the locality becomes more apparent. A certain depth appears, which was not visible until one truly engages in the everyday life of the place. Both the garden and the city of Raleigh, have more to offer than what initially meets the eye.

The conflation between the two entities – park and theatre – go together like a horse and carriage. The unassumingly appropriate theatre bounds the park and holds the street wall on the East end of the park. (If the garden is viewed from the West stair entry from Pogue Street, the park almost sets up like a Picturesque English Garden.) Meanwhile the Rose Garden establishes an axis beginning with an outdoor amphitheatre on the South, which continues through a small pavilion, an allee (flanked by rose bushes), a small fountain and finally terminates in a colonnade.

The simple lay out of the park works well – the only evidence I have that it works is that I didn’t have to think about it was I wondered through it. It just made sense, and we weren’t busy thinking about how it should have been laid out, but we were able to enjoy the surroundings.

This unexpected encounter in the garden taught me that many of the best architectural spaces – places that bring communities together, where all are equal, and where time seems to pause for a moment - never required anyone to lift a hammer. My only regret about this park is that many of my visits I get to enjoy it all by myself.

AIA Triangle Design Award Traveling Exhibit

2010-06-04T10:06:00.004-04:00

The AIA Triangle Design Award exhibit is traveling through the chapter's 10 counties, and will be on display in the Raleigh Urban Design Center through July 15th. For directions and the Urban Design Center's website.

From the AIA Triangle website:

AIA Triangle received 54 project entries for the 2010 Design Awards program. The submittals represented work from architectural firms throughout the Triangle region. The awards presentation was held at Design Infusion on April 17th, 2010 in Durham.

Take advantage of this opportunity to support architecture in the Triangle and go visit the Urban Design Center before the exhibit is gone.

Triangle Firm Increases National Recognition

2010-05-13T18:25:00.006-04:00

Frank Harmon Architect PA continues to gain national recognition, this time appearing at number 13 on Architect Magazine's top 50, up from 26th last year. Congratulations to Frank Harmon and his staff for their efforts.

image from frankharmon.com 5/13/2010

From Frank Harmon Architect PA facebook page:

May 12, 2010 (RALEIGH, NC) – Frank Harmon Architect PA, a multi-award-winning firm based in Raleigh, NC and recognized nationally as a leader in innovative, modern, and regionally inspired “green” architecture, has placed 13th on Architect magazine’s 2010 list of the top firms in the nation, moving up from the 26th spot the firm held last year.

Frank Harmon Architect PA, founded by principal Frank Harmon, FAIA, in 1985, is the only firm in North Carolina to make the “Architect 50” this year. The Freelon Group in Durham placed 60th and Little in Charlotte placed 71st.

Unlike many other “top firms” lists, the “Architect 50” emphasizes ecological commitment and design quality as much as profitability as the editors determine the country’s very best firms. In fact, many firms ranking far lower than Harmon’s report revenues in the multiple millions.

Senior editor Amanda Kolson Hurley also notes, “Some commercially focused firms that were prominent last year have dropped off the list; conversely, this year’s biggest upward movers tend to be those with a bedrock of public-sector and infrastructural projects.”

Harmon’s firm has been working on and completing several “green” public-sector projects since the 2009 Architect 50, most of modest size and budget. They include Visitors Education Centers at Walnut Creek Urban Wetlands Park in Raleigh, the North Carolina Botanical Garden at UNC-Chapel Hill, Merchants Millpond State Park (recently featured in Architect magazine), and the N.C. Zoological Park (Children’s Nature Zoo). The firm is also working on oyster hatchery research facilities at UNC-Wilmington and in Northern Neck, Virginia, as well as a new Crafts Campus at UNC-Asheville.

Each of these projects embraces the principles of sustainability, both low-tech and high-tech, within regionally appropriate, modern designs. And each underscores the enjoyable aspects of energy conservation, such as natural light and ventilation; simple, familiar materials; and the use of deep porches for circulation and access to the outdoors.

In an introduction for Harmon at a North Carolina State University College of Design lecture, architecture Professor Paul Tesar stated:

“[Frank Harmon’s] buildings range from houses in the Bahamas to AIA Headquarters in Raleigh, from Eco-Stations to Parish Houses, from Iron Studios to Pottery Centers, and from Dog Boxes to Oyster Hatcheries – commissions, in other words, that most of us only can envy him for, because they somehow seem a little more inspiring than, say, 40,000 square feet of speculative office space next to a K-Mart parking lot.”

Of the higher ranking in this year’s “Architect 50,” Harmon said, “The usual rating of firms by gross billing, number of employees, etc., does not include our firm. But when we are rated on design recognition for our clients, sustainability, and financial performance, our firm shows up well.”

To see the entire 2010 Architect 50 list, go to www.architectmagazine.com.

For more information on Frank Harmon Architect PA, visit www.frankharmon.com.

CAM Groundbreaking Event at 5:00 p.m. TONIGHT (MAY 11)

2010-05-11T11:46:00.004-04:00

May 5, 2010

CAM ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING AND MUSEUM COMPLETION PLANS

Public invited to May 11, 2010, Groundbreaking Event at 5:00 p.m.

Raleigh, NC - Raleigh’s Contemporary Art Museum (“CAM”) will officially break ground at its future home, 409 W. Martin Street, on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. The renovated 20,000 sq. ft. historic warehouse-turned-museum will serve as the only non-collecting museum of contemporary art + design in North Carolina.

Jay Gates, CAM Interim Director, City of Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and Dean Marvin Malecha, NC State College of Design, will lead the ceremony. Predicts Mayor Meeker: “The opening of the Contemporary Art Museum will be key to the revitalization of Raleigh’s Warehouse District. Its location near the City’s Convention Center and planned Union Station Transit Center, in addition to its innovative art and design exhibitions, will make the new museum an important cultural destination for our region.”

The movement of the project from concept to reality has been made possible by many individuals, foundations and a special initiative launched last year to obtain valuable Historic and New Market Tax Credits for the museum’s redevelopment. The tax credit programs will provide a direct subsidy of more than $2 million for CAM, or about one half of the cost of the museum’s redevelopment.

The new museum will house three galleries as well as dedicated educational spaces. Additionally, it will host changing exhibitions and the critically acclaimed Design Camp for high school students, while expanding the existing, community-wide adult and youth art and design programming.

News Facts:

• The Contemporary Art Museum was established in 1983 in Raleigh as the City Gallery of Contemporary Art.

• In 2006, the museum merged with the NC State University College of Design, becoming an extension of the College’s “Art and Design in the Community” Initiative. The merger expands the College’s K-12 outreach and introduces students and the larger community to a broad range of new creative and learning opportunities.

• CAM is a non-collecting museum of contemporary art and design. Its exhibitions reflect the leading edge of visual arts and design practice, while its educational programs offer a unique perspective on the role of contemporary art and design in our everyday lives.

• The museum is eligible for Historic and New Market tax credits based on the historic nature of the warehouse building being rebuilt and on the demographics of the census tract in Raleigh where CAM is located. The same programs have been used in North Carolina recently at the Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro and at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham.

• The architectural team of Clearscapes and Pugh + Scarpa has overseen the design of the new museum. Raleigh-based Clearscapes is well known for its local projects, including the historically sensitive Exploris Museum, the new Raleigh Convention Center, and the mixed-used revitalization of Pine State Creamery. The 2010 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Firm Award winner, Pugh + Scarpa has offices in Santa Monica, CA, and Charlotte, NC.

• For more information, please visit the CAM Website: http://www.cam.ncsu.edu

NCSU/UNC students win Urban Land Institute competition

2010-04-10T12:35:00.012-04:00

Yesterday we received the news that the team comprised of NCSU/UNC students did in fact win the Urban Land Institute's Gerald D. Hines competition. Not only does that mean big things for the students -- $50,000 and great portfolio material, but it's also a big deal for both institutions as well. A huge congratulations to those guys.

Say it ain't so Raleigh.....

2010-04-06T23:49:00.019-04:00

Tuesday night I got the news... It's funny how the closing of a small upstairs restaurant can have such an effect on so many, but damn... it did. The Rockford was the scene for many of my most cherished memories over the past 15 years and it's hard to believe that it's really gone. It's the little things in life that truly make a difference and the Rockford was full of those. Whether it was the bartender who went out of her way to make a drink "right" for the pain-in-the-ass customer, the waitress who was seemingly always in a bad mood but yet somehow profoundly human, the "specials" menu dedicated to keeping music lovers entertained, or just the simple comfort of a meatloaf sandwich... The Rockford always just seemed right somehow and made me feel at home. I think an anonymous letter taped to the door sums it up best...

"Thanks for the good times, food, drinks, and friendship..."

Through the years we've lost our share of great places; the original Humble Pie, Vin & The Sting Ray to name a few. Hopefully the reopening of Kings will help bring us back to where we need to be. As things stand now though, Raleigh just got a lot less cool.

Vollis Simpson featured in the NY Times

2010-04-05T20:14:00.006-04:00

Local Folk Art legend Vollis Simpson featured in the New York Times

Link

NCSU/UNC Team Finalists for Gerald D. Hines Student Competition

2010-03-10T00:01:00.008-05:00

Last Week it was officially announced that a joint-team made up of NCSU Architecture/Landscape Architecture and UNC City and Regional Planning graduate students has been named one of four finalists in the Urban Land Institute's Gerald D. Hines Student Competition. This is the NCSU/UNC's first time entering and the fact that they have placed as a finalist is most certainly a very big deal. The 3 other finalist teams are from Harvard, UPENN, and the University of Maryland. Teams are now in the process of completing a second design problem which will ultimately decide the winner.

NCSU/UNC Team:

Maria Papiez, Master of Architecture

Daria Khramtsova, Master of City and Regional Planning

Rebecca Myers, Master of Landscape Architecture

Jeff Pleshek, Master of Architecture

Matt Tomasulo, Master of Landscape Architecture

LINK

Update regarding AIANC Center for Architecture and Design

2010-03-01T22:10:00.016-05:00

Ever since Frank Harmon won the competition for the AIANC Center for Architecture and Design in January 2008, not much had been made public about how the project was progressing. Even some of our sources close to the project seemed skeptical that the project would be built soon. Given the current state of the field and economy in general, it would have been understandable if the AIA had decided to put the project on hold. It might not have sent a positive message to its members, but understandable nevertheless.

Fortunately for us, that's not the case. Two weeks ago, in the annual Harwell Hamilton Harris Lecture, Frank Harmon showed images of the project (located on the corner of Peace and Wilmington at the end of Raleigh's government mall) after several years of design development with a large committee of designers. He went on to describe his "healthy urbanism" project in careful detail, including the original design concept, developments since the competition and a fairly thorough discussion of the building's intended purpose and sustainable features. He announced furthermore, that construction by Clancy & Theys should begin this May and that the building should be completed within 10 months.

We here at Raleigh Art, Architecture and Urbanism are excited to hear that this project is on track to be built so soon. More information has been released: a fairly thorough project booklet on AIA NC's website including plans, sections, materials, sustainable systems, salient diagrams, and cost estimates, and more information from WUNC's the State of Things (follow the link to listen to the audio) last Friday. Frank, Along with Scott Cutler of Clancy & Theys joined Laura Leslie to talk about the project's status.

We applaud AIA NC for pushing this project forward despite tough economic times, setting an example of responsible design not only in the Triangle or the State, but nationally as well. According to the audio North Carolina AIA will be the first chapter to design and construct their own building. If that's true, (we haven't had the chance to verify this so don't hold us to it), what does that say about the AIA itself? How could such a large professional body, which specializes in designing buildings, not have ever designed their own headquarters? This project has the opportunity to not only be a model for sustainable design, but also a center for outreach. All signs seem to point to the fact it will be a place for people to visit, hold activities and meetings, and most of all to open minds about the impact design has on our day to day lives and how truly important good design can be for our future.

NCSU Graduate wins Thomas Jefferson Award

2010-02-23T08:21:00.009-05:00

Curtis W. Fentress, FAIA, RIBA, is the Principal in Charge of Design and Co-Founder of Fentress Architects based in Denver, CO in 1980. He is also a North Carolina native and a graduate of NCSU's School of Architecture. Fentress continues to maintain ties with the COD by interviewing students each spring for potential jobs as well as lecturing frequently..

Image www.otto-otto.com

Fentress is well known for some of his more iconic designs including the Denver International Airport and the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, VA. His firm has also remained active locally by acting as lead designers on two large projects in the triangle: RDU Terminal 2 and Nature Research Center in Downtown Raleigh.

Fentress was recently recognized by the American Institute of Architects with the prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award. This award has only been awarded in the private sector architect category 8 times in 19 years according to the Denver Post.

Congratulations to Mr. Fentress for winning this high honor in recognition of your hard work.

Raleigh Institute of Contemporary Art

2010-02-10T16:59:00.010-05:00

While I was in Askew-Taylor today, I happened to see a flyer for the Raleigh Institute of Contemporary Art or RICA. Having never heard anything about it before I was intrigued enough to follow the link and learn more. RICA seems to be offering classes for students of all skill levels and interests as taught by a variety of local artists including such notables as Lope Max Diaz and Shaun Richards. The grand opening is listed as January 18th of this year, so it apparently just opened. Hopefully they'll be able to fill classes in a sluggish economy, and continue developing the art education opportunities in Raleigh.

The website provided all the basic information, but does anyone out there know more about RICA, and how it came into being, etc.?

Eduardo Catalano, the ending of an era...

2010-01-30T19:07:00.029-05:00

Two days ago (Jan 28) legendary architect and designer Eduardo Catalano passed away at the age of 92. Although I never knew the man, he certainly had a profound impact on my design sensibilities, my love of architecture, and thus both my education and career path. Surely there are many of us out there who can say the same. For us, and for all those affiliated with the local design community, this is not only a very sad day, but the end of an era.

As a kid, growing up in the area, I somehow stumbled upon the wreckage of the original Raleigh House, I think I was about 16 at the time. I remember standing in the woods with my high school girlfriend, the fragments of the house laid out before us, almost as if we had stumbled across some great ancient ruin... Vividly, I remember lighting up a cigarette and knowing my life would never be the same, as I had just been unwittingly ushered into the world of architecture. The years would pass by and subsequent visits would occur, although probably not quite as many as I would have liked. By the end it seemed like every visit would be the last, almost as if I was visiting someone who was terminally ill, and that in itself was more than a little unsettling. Ultimately the Raleigh House's fate was sealed, in that incarnation at least, and it was eventually leveled. By the end, we'd all come to expect it's inevitable demolition, some of us even came to accept it, but it never sat right with me that such an iconic structure would have ever been put in such a position in the first place.

There have been multiple attempts to revitalize the project in various locations around Raleigh but unfortunately none have come to fruition. The latest attempt, as reported here at Raleigh AAU, was to be constructed in the area of Dorthea Dix under the direction of the NCSU College of Design, in conjunction with Triangle Modernist Houses. However, it's become increasingly unclear as to the project's current status, considering the circumstances.

I am hopeful, although not overly confident, that we've learned our lesson considering our city's significant structures. Thankfully, due to various advocacy groups, there now seems to be a larger collective awareness about these issues, but only time will tell.

To read more on Edwardo Catalano please see his page on Triangle Modernist Houses

To learn more on the latest rebuilding efforts please see our earlier article (Aug 2009) Catalano House to be Rebuilt

Add one more to the lecture series

2010-01-29T19:13:00.005-05:00

The School of Architecture has added another speaker to the spring lecture series held jointly with the Triangle AIA. Kevin Harrington, Professor at IIT (Art and Architectural History) and noted Chicago architectural historian will be speaking Monday March 8th at 7pm in Burns Auditorium. He is also known for his interest in modern architecture, and among other interests has a particularly strong knowledge about the work of Mies van der Rohe. (Go figure he is in Chicago.) There is some talk that he may even talk about Mies' visit to NCSU.

As always all lectures are free and open to the public.

NCSU Landscape Architecture Lecture Series

2010-01-23T21:29:00.013-05:00

All lectures are free and open to the public. They are held Monday nights
at 7 pm in Burns Auditorium.

February 1st: Linda Jewell, Professor and Head of Landscape Architecture,
UC Berkeley
"Memorable Landscapes"

February 22nd: Juanite Shear-Swin, Triangle Transit,
"The Triangle Transit Project"

March 1st: Art Rice, NCSU Professor of Landscape Architecture/
Director of the PhD in Design Program/Associate Dean for Graduate
Studies Research and Extension
"Moskovskaya Straight Up:  Design as the Lubricant for Understanding,
Inspiration, and Transformation"

April 12th: Richard Hawks, Professor and Head of Landscape Architecture,
SUNY ESF
"Third Annual Charles V. Burger Memorial Lecture"

Phil Freelon named Tar Heel of the Year

2010-01-13T22:49:00.005-05:00

Durham-based architect Phil Freelon was named 2009's Tar Heel of the Year by the News & Observer. Freelon graduated from NC State in 1975 with a Bachelor's in Environmental Design with honors and later returned to the Triangle to open a practice as well as teach at his alma mater.

The article is one of the the better articles I have read from the N & O. It provides an in-depth look into not only his architecture, but also his personal life and background. It highlights two of his firm's latest projects, the Museum of African American History and Culture on the mall in Washington DC and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture in Charlotte.

Thanks to the N & O for recognizing Phil Freelon and his firm for the architectural tradition they are helping to continue in the Triangle.

NC State Spring Architecture Lecture Series

2010-01-08T16:12:00.006-05:00

NC State has finalized their spring lecture series, held jointly with AIA Triangle. All lectures are free and open to the public. They are held Monday nights at 7 pm in Burns Auditorium.

February 8th Dana Buntrock, Associate Professor of Architecture at UC Berkeley.

February 15th Frank Harmon, NC State Professor of Architecture and Raleigh-based architect will hold the annual Harwell Hamilton Harris lecture.

March 29th Will Bruder, Phoenix-based architect.

April 19th Thomas Barrie, NC State Professor of Architecture and architectural philosophy researcher and writer will be talking about his new book, The Sacred In-Between: The Mediating Roles of Architecture.

It should be an exciting set of of lecturers and most likely the auditorium will be full since there are only four dates on the calendar. Be there early to be sure you get a seat.

Raleigh's little-known connection to Make It Right

2010-01-03T20:21:00.006-05:00

While Cherokee’s history is fairly well-known in Raleigh, (primarily in development circles), the firm’s connection to the nationally recognized Make it Right foundation is not.

I recently had the good fortune to tour the offices of Cherokee on 111 East Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh. The opportunity arose through a personal contact, who, until the recent economic downturn, had been heavily involved with Cherokee’s non-profit arm, Cherokee Gives Back. It began with a simple conversation several months ago when my friend became pleasantly surprised by my interest in Cherokee and their brownfield redevelopment efforts. I had come to know Cherokee while studying urban planning several years ago, when the firm was being touted by a professor as one of the “good guys” in the development world. (I continue to hold the same opinion after coming to know the firm at a much more intimate level.)

A brief pause in the story to give a history of Cherokee and it’s development to become a cutting-edge, sustainable development firm. From Cherokee’s website:

In 1984, a group of investors including Tom Darden purchased four brick plants and merged them to form Cherokee Sanford Group (CSG), which grew to become the largest privately held brick manufacturer in North America. When we discovered petroleum-contaminated soil at one of the plant sites, the regulators suggested taking the impaired soil to a nearby landfill. As an alternative, CSG proposed mixing it with clean clay in the brick-making process. The combustion in the kilns burned up the fuel oil in the soil. From this beginning, CSG started a business of receiving contaminated clay from underground storage tank clean-ups. By 1990, CSG was the largest soil remediator in the mid-Atlantic region, eventually cleaning up nearly 15 million tons of contaminated material.

Tom Darden and John Mazzarino formed the predecessor company of Cherokee in 1993 to focus exclusively on environmentally impaired assets. In 1994 they organized a risk management advisory affiliate and then formed Cherokee's first institutional capital (Fund I) in 1996. Cherokee formed a $250 million private equity fund (Fund II) in 1998, a $620 million fund (Fund III) in 2002, and its current, $1.2 billion fund (Fund IV) in 2005.

Elsewhere on the firm’s website it states that the capital has now grown to nearly $2 billion under management in Fund IV. Make no mistake that Cherokee is in business to make a profit for their investors, but unlike many other developers, they are seeking to achieve that goal by developing sustainable properties, often on formerly contaminated soil.

Initial discussions with my friend gave way, to more serious, sit-down discussions about his previous role with Cherokee. Eventually he loaned me the book Architecture in Times of Need – Make It Right Rebuilding New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward. I read the entire book that day and learned that my friend, Samuel Whitt, was involved with Cherokee Gives Back such that he is currently the only board member of the Make It Right Foundation, although he later told me that they have one board member confirmed to soon join and several others in various stages of discussions.

After one of our discussions, Sam took me on a tour of Cherokee’s Offices in downtown Raleigh, where I met John Mazzarino and Tom Darden, both of whom were friendly and engaging. The real reason for the office visit was to show me Cherokees offices, where they retrofit (in conjunction with property owner Empire Hardhat), a 100 year old furniture store into one of the few Leed Platinum renovation projects in the US. The AIA wrote a fantastically detailed article about the renovation if you follow the link, so there is no need for me to go into detail, but please take a look. The project is very interesting and highlights many of the challenges posed when trying to upfit an old structure into a “green” office building.

Finally, the connection between Cherokee Gives Back and Make It Right goes all the way to the beginnings of MIR. I don’t know all the details, (although they can be found in the book which I referenced earlier), but my understanding is that sometime between late 2006 and early 2007, Tom Darden (CEO Cherokee), Samuel Whitt, William McDonough and others met with Brad Pitt to discuss his ideas to help out the residents of the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans. This was in response to Pitt’s widely publicized criticisms of the Federal Government’s slow response to help the residents of New Orleans. More detailed information about the mission and history of MIR can be at Make It Right.org.

Personal opinions vary widely on the success of the Make It Right Foundation. However, when many were sitting on their hands, they came in, and through donations, have almost met the original goal of 150 houses and continue to make home ownership (specifically for residents returning to rebuild in the Lower Ninth Ward) a viable option. I recognize that many of the houses are non-traditional, some seem too theoretical or idealistic, but in the end they will be safer, healthier (and hopefully) more affordable houses for the families living in them. More information about the goals for the houses and the homeowner process can again be found on MIR’s website.

This article was not so much about determining the values and successes of the Make It Right Foundation, so much as it was intended to publicize the crucial role that a local firm, Cherokee, played in helping get MIR up and running. Cherokee, through Cherokee Gives Back provided the manhours and expertise to get the ball rolling, by working with Brad Pitt and William McDonough + Partners among many others, including many New Orleans residents. Cherokee also provided the critical institutional infrastructure when the foundation was formed, donations began to roll in and administrative functions were needed. Very quietly, and from hundreds of miles away, a Raleigh firm played a big role in getting what has become a very nationally recognized foundation off the ground. And that’s just one aspect of what Cherokee Gives Back has been busy doing over the past few years.

Thoughts about another view of Raleigh's skyline

2009-12-18T13:41:00.007-05:00

Several months ago (it's been far too long since we paid the blog the attention it deserves) we wrote about some of the best views of Raleigh's skyline, including views from the Boylan Bridge and from McDowell Street. While they are very different views, each offer insights into the past, as well as the future, of the City of Oaks.

I recently discovered another view, from the 9th floor of the DH Hill library on NCSU's campus. It provides an interesting perspective on the discussion. The first thing evident in this view, is the linear, north-south orientation of Raleigh's downtown. The north end is comprised primarily of government buildings (City, County and State), while the south end is more business interests, as well as some residential. Also quickly evident is the overall flat terrain, with some rolling hills so common to the Piedmont region.

On the surface the image seems somewhat banal, with little information about Raleigh to share. For some reason, however the image kept returning to my mind. It felt like there was something there to discover, something to inform my understanding of the city. Going back to the image later in the day, my thoughts became somewhat more clear. Raleigh is not a city that was selected for its proximity to some predominant natural feature, such as a river or mountain. Nor is it a city that one thinks about as highly urbanized or dense. Yet in this image it appears to have a fairly urban core, with little visual evidence of urban sprawl.

The natural feature most prominent in Raleigh (clearly displayed in this image), is its densely-wooded nature, and subsequent tree canopy. The large population of Oak trees (for which the city receives its nickname, the City of Oaks), as well as other native species, provide a thick canopy over much of the city. This is true even in December, when most of the deciduous trees have shed their leaves. The canopy is so thick that it covers much of the lower density areas that prevail in Raleigh.

A trip up to the library wasn't necessary to glean this seemingly small observation, but maybe it caused me to think a little longer about the region as a whole (and the underlying disconnect between the various cities) than I otherwise would have. I began to think that maybe in this instance the lesson to be learned is less about what I do see, and more about what I don't see.

In the visually-biased and visually-dominated society that we live in, it makes sense to consider the role that visual connections play in our sense of belonging, especially to a particular area such as the triangle. For example, when entering the woods, one only needs to walk a short distance before a feeling of seclusion and isolation ensues, despite the short distance traveled. Maybe this lack of visual reciprocity is one small part of the explanation to why Raleigh struggles to claim its role as the capital city within the triangle, not to mention throughout the state. Or why people living outside the beltline describe going "downtown" like an all day event to some distant, foreign destination. Or why the region as a whole is often described as the triangle and rarely as the Raleigh metro area. Maybe this tells us something about how crucial the role of sight is in design of all sorts. Or, maybe it tells us nothing at all.

Raleigh being Raleigh...

2009-11-05T18:49:00.014-05:00

While I commend the City of Raleigh for holding the Moore Square re-design competition I have a hard time grasping exactly how the jury decided upon the winning submission. Recently I’ve spent quite a bit of time looking more in depth at many of the entrants and I have to wonder, am I missing something? I quite like the 3rd place entry by Stephen Stimson Associates (Falmouth, MA) as well as a number of the honorable mentions, specifically those done by Davin Hong, Tonic Design, and Lappas & Havener + Frank Harmon Architects and I fail to see how ANY of those could place behind what for all intents and purposes is a scheme that revolves around a manufactured "hill" along with extraordinarily cheap-looking playground equipment as two of it's primary design features. The images may have been "pretty" in the sense that they were well done technically, but the scheme overall feels like a space that could quite literally be ANYWHERE, USA. In addition, there's nothing remotely specific to the city of Raleigh or the surrounding site context within the scheme. All that was included in any of the renderings/plans was the square itself, with absolutely no mention, reference, or image reflecting the overall site. How could this happen? It must be said that while I personally know and highly respect more than a few members of the Jury, I find my faith in design, community design specifically, seriously shaken by this entire process. This competition was a golden opportunity for something extraordinary, not only for the City of Raleigh but for all of North Carolina as well. What we got could not have possibly been less exciting and I’m more than a little embarrassed for it. All in all, I guess its just business as usual and Raleigh just being Raleigh....

Monica Ponce de Leon lecture NEXT Monday (7PM, Nov 9)

2009-10-30T14:35:00.008-04:00

Next Monday night (Nov 9) there will be a fantastic, open to the public, lecture at NCSU's Burns Auditorium at 7 pm. Monica Ponce De Leon will be speaking about her work with Office DA (as co-founder and principal) and possibly some of her efforts as the new dean at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Design at the University of Michigan. Office DA does great work and we've heard that her lectures are not to be missed. Be there early if you want to get a good seat, it should be packed.

We're Back!!!! Our Moore Square Competition Entry

2009-10-12T16:14:00.013-04:00

Below are the images from the North Carolina Design CoOperative (NCDC) Moore Square entry. Although we got a good response, we unfortunately did not place. Everything's being kept pretty under wraps about the winners but it has come to our attention that both Kling Stubbins and Tonic Design (along with David Hill) received Honorable Mentions, congratulations to those guys. We'll have more on the competition/process later.

Blog Status Update

2009-09-22T17:56:00.003-04:00

For the past month or so Raleigh AAU has had to be set aside due to a variety of reasons. We will be finishing up our Moore Square entry this week and we hope to be back to the blog full force come October. After submissions are closed and the reviews take place we will be posting our entry to the blog as well as a lengthy article on the entire process. Also in the works is an article on the Szostak Design "New American House" project, which located in Raleigh and set to break ground within the next few months. We are very sorry for the lack of recent activity but we're excited about the future. See you soon....

N & O Home of the Month

2009-09-07T09:55:00.005-04:00

The News and Observer's August edition of the "Home of the Month" was just recently released. The "Home of the Month" is a collaborative initiative between N & O, and NCSU's College of Design, specifically through the Home Environments Design Initiative (HEDI). This month's article is written by current NCSU graduate student Virginia Alexander.

Transplanted Glory

Catalano House to be Rebuilt

2009-08-30T09:24:00.017-04:00

I was pleasantly surprised to hear, from a number of reliable sources, that the Eduardo Catalano house looks like it will FINALLY be re-built. The site is situated on a small plot of land close to Dorthea Dix which is currently owned by NCSU. This is the latest in the long line of attempts to rebuild the iconic/revolutionary mid-century house, with the others failing due to various reasons including, but not limited to; serious project mismanagement by the previous NCSU administration, the simple mindedness of a few misinformed students, and the selfishness of the NC Art Museum officials. With the possible exception of Dorton arena, the Catalano house is the finest example of architectural innovation to ever be seen in North Carolina. Hopefully this reconstruction attempt will fair better than those of the past.

Profile on Eduardo Catalano

NC State Announces Architecture Lecture Series

2009-08-23T09:44:00.003-04:00

This past week, NCSU's School of Architecture announced its 2009-2010 lecture series that it holds jointly with AIA Triangle. All lectures will be held Mondays nights at 7:00, in Burns Auditorium, and are free and open to the public. The College of Design is trying to have a lecture every Monday night, through one of the departments within the College. That way, people just get in the habit of attending the lectures.

There are some great lecturers coming in this year. Here's a look at the upcoming architecture lectures this fall. Rather than writing a lengthy bio on each, I've included a link to their websites.

August 31st Marlon Blackwell who has his own practice in addition to teaching full-time at University of Arkansas.

October 19th Martin Haas, partner at Behnisch Architekten, and I believe he has a background in film-making.

November 9th Monica Ponce de Leon, Principal at Office dA.

Five-Points Post Office "on the block"

2009-08-11T18:50:00.006-04:00

It has come to my attention that the Five-Points Post Office is under the very serious threat of closure and barring a miracle it is all but a certainty. The days of the neighborhood hardware store, Piggly Wiggly, and even the Hayes Barton Grill have long past but I still find myself yearning for them. Granted, I have somewhat of a skewed/nostalgic view of the area because I grew up there, on the little one-way stretch of White Oak. My experiences there would help shape and define my interests in both urban design and architecture and would help drive me to such ventures as my education, my career, and Raleigh AAU, among other things. As a designer, I am acutely aware that change is the nature of cities, but never did I think I'd see the Five-Points Post Office close down, that place was/is the heart and soul of the area. There are legitimate factors behind it all of course, the USPS is hemorrhaging money and it has to make its cuts somewhere. Unfortunately, for those of us that still enjoy our semi-regular trips, this is the harsh reality of the times. We've known the Postal Clerks for years, they've become integral parts of our lives, they know our families, watched us grow, and seen us at both our best and worst and we always thought they'd be there... When the doors close that final time on Fairview Rd. the end of an era will officially pass and the identity and sense of community among long-time residents will be seriously shaken... It breaks my heart.

If you have similar stories or just want your voice heard on the matter PLEASE WRITE:

Mr. Russell Gardner
USPS District Manager
P.O. Box 9900
Greensboro, NC
27498-9900

NC Senate Approves Mass Transit Bill

2009-08-11T17:47:00.002-04:00

While I'm cautiously optimistic, I'm still not holding my breath, as we've all been through this exact situation before. Here's hoping things turn out better this time...

Link

New House Tour Offerings by Triangle Modernist Houses

2009-08-03T14:37:00.001-04:00

Triangle Modernist Houses just opened sales for three tours this fall in Raleigh and Durham. The last tour sold out very quickly, so if you are interested you better sign up quickly.

From the TMH website:

Saturday, August 15, 10-1130 : Pullen Memorial Chapel in Raleigh, $5.95

Saturday, October 3, 1-3, Michael Coates Residence Durham, $5.95

Saturday, November 7, 1-4, Architects' Homes: Thomas Crowder, Brian Shawcroft and Raymond Sawyer, $9.95

Sense of Arrival in Raleigh

2009-08-02T21:49:00.006-04:00

When defining a city, the sense of arrival is crucial, not only does it signify the arrival itself but it defines the boundaries of a city. The first impression plays a significant role in shaping our opinions of each city as a place and helps to inform us about its identity. This is an analysis of the sense of arrival into downtown Raleigh from the southeast. (McDowell Street / NC Hwy 50).

The McDowell St. corridor offers us the signature view of the Raleigh skyline. While different than that from the Boylan bridge, it is unquestionably one of the City's best. The road, while busy, seems more like a parkway than a highway with it's winding path and well landscaped median. In the distance a city of Raleigh sign marks the arrival.

A wooded threshold clearly delineates the urban core boundary, rather than letting the development spill out. In many cities this threshold is a veritable no man's land, often heavily littered and marking a poor entry to downtown. The entry to Raleigh's urban core is well-maintained and deliberately designed to heighten the experience.

The Convention Center sits prominently at the crest of the hill and through it's placement, strongly anchors the southeast corner of downtown Raleigh. Designer's clearly understood the meaning of the site when planning for the convention center, the corner detail appropriately addresses the corner condition.

The "shimmer wall" on the west side of the convention center provides a positive face to the street. The building serves as both an iconic structure, which is well worth visiting, as well as the face of "New" Raleigh and therefore allows for a sense of intrigue among visitors, which every city needs.

Street trees and furniture serve as amenities in the pedestrian environment. While enhancing both beauty and safety they also significantly increase the walkability of downtown.

The vacant lot immediately west of the convention center, for which the city is generating plans for a park and outdoor amphitheater among other things. In the distance, the south side of a new Wake County public parking garage. This elevation, primarily clad in a brick veneer, cleverly disguises the fact that this is a parking garage, which is done successfully throughout the city. The perforations allow for natural ventilation through the garage, but also form an engaging facade to the street. This has got to be one of the best looking parking garage elevations around.

The east elevation is not nearly as successful as the southern elevation. Hopefully, there are future plans for some sort of cladding, or future development of this elevation. What I don't understand is why this elevation isn't designed similarly to the southern side of the building, allowing natural ventilation to pass through the entire structure. Where the southern elevation successfully addresses the street, this drab concrete wall acts as a black eye to what is otherwise a successful entrance to the city on the east side, as well as the north side.

If a street wall were a smile, the entrance into Raleigh is missing a few teeth. The undeveloped lot west of the convention center is unattractive, but hopefully that will soon be remedied. The underutilized Enterprise rental car office and adjacent enormous surface parking lot will need to be addressed, sooner rather than later. The east side of the public parking garage needs further development. However, what is in place is solid and provides a good foundation for future growth.

Overall Raleigh's downtown is clearly undergoing a major renaissance. Major changes are taking place, many for the good, which will be covered in future posts. The central business district is fairly well delineated and dense growth seems to be contained in the urban core. Clearly the triangle region as a whole is very decentralized, which is a major issue, but this is regarding the density immediately in and around downtown. Urban densities don't yet seem to be encroaching on residential neighborhoods. This isn't to say that all of neighborhoods adjacent to downtown are thriving because they aren't. However, the downtown is fairly well contained, meaning there isn't the typical ring of medium density commercial and industrial uses around the city, uncomfortably integrating with nearby urban neighborhoods. In Raleigh, a fairly distinct threshold delineates the urban core and nearby neighborhoods as distinct and congruous entities.

This entrance into the Capital City promises to have a bright future. The city has done its part in building the foundation, and setting the standard for further development of this important corridor into Raleigh.

Lecture on Wednesday Night at BBH Design

2009-07-27T17:03:00.000-04:00

(From the AIA website)

AIA Triangle is hosting its second free summer lecture on July 29 at 7 p.m. The lecture titled “Architecture Without Architects Clients” will be presented by Associate Professor Wendy Redfield and Assistant Professor David Hill at BBH DESIGN, 8208 Brownleigh Drive in Raleigh.

Please RSVP here.

Phil Freelon appears on North Carolina People

2009-07-26T10:38:00.000-04:00

North Carolina People featured Phil Freelon, of the Freelon Group, on Friday July 24. The interview will re-run Sunday, July 26 at 5:30 PM on UNC-TV

Phil Freelon Video

N & O Home of the Month

2009-07-25T11:07:00.000-04:00

The News and Observer's July edition of the "Home of the Month" was released today. The "Home of the Month" is a collaborative initiative between N & O, and NCSU's College of Design, specifically through the Home Environments Design Initiative (HEDI). This month's article is written by recent NCSU graduate Sarah Corbitt.

The house was designed by Brett Hautop who is a principal at Vernacular Studio and also an NCSU College of Design graduate. Vernacular Studio is located at 530 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh.

The 3,600 square foot Modern Victorian sits prominently on a hill just outside of downtown Raleigh, near historic Oakwood.

Edenton St. Residence

NCARB IDP Seminar

2009-07-23T22:20:00.000-04:00

Learn about all things related to the Intern Development Program (IDP) with NCARB's refreshed webinar, "Essential IDP." With the many changes to the program that are being implemented, it is important to have a clear understanding of all the IDP rules and requirements so your experience can be properly documented and counted.

Presented by NCARB's Assistant Directors of IDP, Nick Serfass, AIA, LEED AP, and Rachel Kros, AIA, this webinar will cover everything from important concepts like "direct supervision" to the Six-Month Rule.

Time: 1:00 p.m. EST

Date: 5 August 2009

Cost: Free

Link

Frank Harmon wins National AIA Honor Award

2009-07-23T10:24:00.000-04:00

This is old news (April 2009) but it doesn't seem like too many people realize that it happened. The house is featured again in the special awards section of this month's (Aug 2009) issue of Architectural Record.

Good write-up of the award announcement

Frank Harmon's project description

Weber House and others up for Historic Landmark

2009-07-22T13:04:00.000-04:00

Six potential historic landmarks will be considered by the Raleigh Historic Districts Commission and the City Council Tuesday August 4th at 7:00 pm. From the City's website:

The purpose of the public hearing is to solicit public comment on the historic landmark reports and proposed Raleigh Historic Landmark designations for the following properties:

The Bill and Betty Weber House (1953), located at 606 Transylvania Avenue, is an example of Modernist style as designed by local architect William Weber in collaboration with Modernist master George Matsumoto. The structure was built during the postwar period of rapid economic expansion in Raleigh;
The Dr. M.T. Pope House (1900), located at 511 S. Wilmington Street, illustrates the presence of a middle and professional class of African-American families along South Wilmington Street. A rare and early example of a front-gable structure of high-quality and stylish workmanship, the house is associated with Dr. M.T. Pope, an African-American physician, and his wife and daughters, each prominent and influential figures in North Carolina;
The Lemuel and Julia Delany House (1917), located at 210-212 North State Street in the Idlewild subdivision, is significant for its role in Raleigh's African-American community in the early- and mid-twentieth century. The Classic Revival and Craftsman-style house is associated with physician and business leader Lemuel Thackara Delany and his wife, St. Augustine’s College instructor Julia Amaza (Brown) Delany;
The Paul and Ellen Welles House (1956), located at 3227 Birnamwood Road, was designed by Durham architect Kenneth McCoy Scott and built by the Jim Edwards Company. A dramatic and intact example of the Modernist split-level, its design was influenced by the modern design theory taught by professors at North Carolina State University, School of Design;
Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church, (1923) is located at 520 Method Road in the Method neighborhood. The Gothic Revival brick church is an example of the stylish churches that anchored Raleigh’s African-American developed suburban communities from the end of the Civil War through the 1950s.; and,
The Truman and Annie Laurie Williams House (1939), located at 910 Harvey Street, is a rare example of the Norman French style in Raleigh and was designed by Jerome Robert Cerny, a noted architect of residential estate homes in the Chicago area. The landscape was designed by Charles F. Gillette, one of the most prominent twentieth century landscape architects of the Southeast.

Following the public hearing, the matter will be referred to the Raleigh Historic Districts Commission to consider final recommendations to the City Council. The City Council may adopt the historic designation at the Sept. 1 meeting.

A quick browse on the internet also produced The Weber House Landmark Application. This application is a very thorough look at the house, with some fantastic images not likely seen anywhere else except to those with access to the house. It's definitely worth a look.

We encourage you to learn more about these houses (search websites such as Triangle Modernist Houses and others), and attend the meeting and ensure the future of these important Raleigh houses.

Cassilhaus featured in NYT

2009-07-16T08:54:00.000-04:00

While not directly dealing with Raleigh, we have to tip our hat to Durham-based architect Ellen Cassilly, whose personal residence was recently featured in the New York Times. Cassilhaus (a combination of Ellen's last name Cassilly and her husband's last name Konhaus) is a modern house beautifully sited on a slope overlooking a creek on the edge of Duke Forest. However, the most intriguing aspect of the house is the way that it integrates a studio for a visiting artist, an art gallery, as well as the couple's personal residence. The house excels at addressing and integrating with the site, attention to detail, imaginative programmatic thinking and several fantastic moments as one moves through the carefully planned spaces. We eouncurage you to visit the links above and learn more about Cassilhaus.

Bugg House Tour

2009-07-13T18:00:00.000-04:00

Several weeks ago I attended a tour of the Bugg House over in Durham. The design is by Kenneth Hobgood Architects, and the construction is by Tonic (you will see Vinny in one of the images). The house responds to the site seamlessly, and will certainly be an impressive modern residence upon completion later this year. Thanks to the Young Architects Forum for organizing the tour.

View from inside the living to the creek behind the house

View from one of the wings into the central courtyard

Living room featuring clerestory

Screened porch for outdoor entertainment

Credit A. Cherry for the images.

What could this be?

2009-07-11T14:06:00.001-04:00

So I am heading downtown to Boylan Avenue and I happen upon this structure which is curiously all by itself in a field next to what appears to be an abandoned manufacturing facility.

Curious as always, I stop for a minute to inspect what it might be. Truthfully, I had no idea. My first thought was that it could be some kind of installation. My wife suggested that it might have some sort of relation to the nearby train tracks, maybe a conductor's office for example. After a few minutes, we had no idea so we got back in the car and continued on our way.

A short time later, I'm driving, still thinking about what the structure may have been and I notice a building that seems oddly familiar. It's the new Hue Condominium project. But why does look so familiar? Then it hits me, the small structure that we saw a few blocks back must be some sort of trial run or teaching tool for the contractors who would be installing the exterior of the building. By using the same materials and detailing, a small detail (or a very large study model) was likely as practice before finishing the actual project.

You'll notice the exact same materials and detailing used in both structures. The same color palette too. As for the project itself, I think the location is perfect for a mixed use building. The design is fairly interesting, but to me something seems to be lacking. However, I am all for the concept of urban living and mixed-use developments. Hopefully all the condos sell, but in my amateurish opinion, it seems like Raleigh's downtown is over-priced and over-built given the current housing market. I always want downtown developments to succeed to continue fueling the urban renaissance that taking place all across the country, of which downtown Raleigh is an excellent case study.

Obsessed with stairs?

2009-07-07T21:58:00.000-04:00

For all those stair lovers out there here is a website to feed your obsession...
and for those with a more casual interest, you might find something you like too. Completely unrelated to the Raleigh design scene I know, but this was just too good to pass up. A friend showed me this site the other day and I felt obliged to pass it on.

The stairs you see are my personal (most recent) favorites. They are by roedig.schop architekten of Berlin on their personal residence part of the Ten in One project.

Be on the lookout for upcoming articles about NCMA and The New American House Project.

Preservation

2009-06-19T02:46:00.002-04:00

How is it that we as a culture decide that certain buildings are worthy of preservation? Is it as simple as age or what is deemed to be some sort of "important" circumstances surrounding certain structures? It seems to be a fine line to walk. Where do we begin? If history itself is the primary criteria how can we sit idly by as many of our vernacular structures, such as the tobacco barns of my youth, fade forever from our landscape? If it is circumstance that becomes the main criteria, how is it that we decide which buildings are deserving? Who's history do we value and thus that of their buildings? Aside from the context of the southern plantation and their corresponding slave quarters we rarely see buildings that tie directly into the lives of African Americans. It must be assumed that many of these buildings were, more often than not, deemed to be less than important and therefore became easy targets for the wrecking ball (See Durham Freeway). It is important that we recognize our past transgressions and not allow what little that remains of various fragments of our culture to fall between the cracks (See Oberlin Village). Gone, hopefully, are the days when seemingly the only preservation that mattered was that of the extravagant homes of the wealthy and large public/corporate buildings. As Americans with comparatively so little tangible history, it seems as though we would be more all encompassing in our efforts.

I can not argue that all old buildings are worth saving, however I will always contend that future generations be afforded the opportunity to experience the many diverse aspects of our building culture and not just what is considered to be "important" today...

Moore Square Competition

2009-06-13T15:26:00.000-04:00

DESIGN IT, Shelter Competition

2009-06-13T13:31:00.001-04:00

Welcome...

2009-06-13T13:30:00.002-04:00

Here at Raleigh AAU our primary objectives are to inform, organize and engage the local design community. So many of our events and much of our news is spread so thin through the various media outlets that much of it gets lost in the shuffle. We all seem to have trouble getting a handle as to what is really going on in our community and therefore we have become observers and not the catalysts for change. It is our hope that this is indeed a small step in the right direction and that through our efforts; discussions are raised, awareness is heightened, and involvement is inspired. For better or worse.... Welcome to Raleigh AAU.