BuildSense in Durham Hosts “Thirst4Architecture” Happy Hour April 25

 

 

April 9, 2013 (Durham, NC) – BuildSense/Studio B Architecture, a design/build firm in Durham, will host Triangle Modernist Houses’ (TMH) popular “Thirst4Architecture” happy hour event on Thursday, April 25, from 6-8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

 

Thirst4Architecture events are casual gathering opportunities for anyone interested in architecture and design.  The host business provides refreshments.

 

“We welcome Modernist homeowners, architects, artists, designers, realtors, engineers, contractors, property investors, building managers, Modernist homeowners, materials and furniture dealers, and anyone else with a huge crush on great architecture,” said TMH founder and director George Smart. “T4A events focus on building relationships, generating passion about good design, creating strategic alliances, and connecting people to each other.”

 

BuildSense/Studio B Architecture building.

BuildSense/Studio B’s Randy Lanou and Erik Mehlman will open their sustainable offices for April’s T4A. The building is an old Tire King location that the partners transformed into an exemplary “green” commercial structure complete with wind power, solar power, sustainable materials, and a charging station for electric cars. The building utilizes about 35 percent of the energy required to power a typical building of the same size and use. As a result, it was named Triangle Business Journal’s Green Commercial Project of the Year in 2012.

 

Build Sense/Studio B shares the building at 502 Riggsbee Avenue, Durham, with ClearVue Glass and a yoga studio. For more information and directions, visit www.buildsense.com.

 

For more information on Triangle Modernist Houses and other T4A events, go to www.trianglemodernisthouses.com.

 

 

 

Leland Little Auction Gallery To Host “Thirst4Architecture” Happy Hour

The first 2013 T4A networking event sponsored by Triangle Modernist Houses

February 14, 2013 (Hillsborough, NC) — Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., a premier North Carolina auction gallery in Hillsborough NC, will host Triangle Modernist Houses’ (TMH) popular “Thirst4Architecture” happy hour event on Thursday, March 14, from 6-8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

This will be the first of the 2013 spring/summer TMH Thirst4Architecture events, which serve as networking opportunities for anyone interested in architecture and design, including architects and designers. The host business or organization provides refreshments.

“We welcome Modernist homeowners, architects, artists, designers, realtors, engineers, contractors, property investors, building managers, Modernist homeowners, materials and furniture dealers, and anyone else with a huge crush on great architecture,” said TMH founder and director George Smart. “T4A events focus on building relationships, generating passion about good design, creating strategic alliances, and connecting people to each other.”

This will also be the first time Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales (LLAES, Ltd.) has hosted a T4A event.

“We aim to introduce our auctions to local and regional Modernist aficionados and collectors,” said Leland Little, auctioneer and founder. “We applaud what Mr. Smart has developed with TMH — an effective and energetic group of Modernist supporters — and we appreciate the opportunity to serve this cause by opening our gallery doors wide for the first T4A event of 2013.”

The LLAES, Ltd. auction gallery is located at 620 Cornerstone Ct, Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919-644-1243). For directions and more information, visit www.llauctions.com.

Triangle Modernist Houses is an award-winning, non-profit organization dedicated to documenting, preserving and promoting Modernist residential design from the 1950s to today. Future T4A events will be held at BuildSense in Durham (April 18), in situ studio in Raleigh (May 16), Byrd Tile in Raleigh (June 20), the AIA NC Center for Architecture & Design in Raleigh (July 18), and TRIG Modern in Raleigh (August 15). For more information on TMH and the T4A events, visit www.trianglemodernisthouses.com.

About Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.:

LLAES, Ltd. specializes in consigning and auctioning estates and collections including, but not limited to, mid-century modern design, furniture, fine wine, collectible cars, militaria, silver, fine art, Asian art, pottery, porcelain, and jewelry. Our fine offerings represent various styles, cultures, and histories.

 

Preservation Greensboro Inc. To Host “Mayberry Modernism”

 

George Smart

Triangle Modernist Houses’ founder will present his signature talk on North Carolina’s Modernist legacy.

February 4, 2013 (Greensboro, NC) –Preservation Greensboro, Inc. and Triangle Modernist Houses’ founder and director George Smart will present “Mayberry Modernism: North Carolina’s Modernist Legacy” on Wednesday, March 6, at 6 p.m. in the Elon School of Law building at 201 North Greene Street, room 207. The event is free and open to the public and seating is limited.

“Mayberry Modernism” showcases the state’s surprising collection of Modernist residences from the 1950s through today, many in great shape but some endangered or even destroyed. In 2007, Smart discovered that many of the state’s “livable works of art” are endangered or have already been destroyed.

“Most people, even architects, are surprised by the number of Modernist houses in the state,” Smart said. “ ‘Mayberry Modernism’ discusses the history of Modernist houses in North Carolina and showcases multiple photographs of these terrific houses — from both the past and the present.”

Benjamin Briggs, executive director for Preservation Greensboro, Inc., expressed his interest in partnering with TMH for this presentation:

“There is a growing awareness and appreciation of Modern architecture in Greensboro, especially among young people. Whether it is our Walter Gropius-designed factory, Edward Jenkins’ gymnasium at Dudley High School, or Eduardo Catalano’s Government Center – people are interested to learn more about this period of history that is so important to our city as a whole.”

Founded in 1966, Preservation Greensboro, Inc. (PGI) is Greensboro’s only citywide nonprofit membership organization that encourages the conservation of Greensboro’s architectural history by preserving or helping to preserve such sites as Blandwood Mansion, the Troy-Bumpass House, Dudley High School, Blue Bell Manufacturing Company, Lindley Park, and the UNCG Chancellor’s House. For more information, visit www.preservationgreensboro.org.

Since its start-up in 2007, Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH) has become the largest archive of Modernist residential architecture in the nation. The award winning non-profit continues to facilitate public discovery of the state’s architectural legacy through its website, awww.trianglemodernisthouses.com, through multiple and single house tours, through trips in and outside the state, and other events. TMH also actively works to preserve Modernist houses by maintaining free, exclusive For Sale listing on the nonprofit’s website.

For more information on “Mayberry Modernism: North Carolina’s Modernist Legacy,” go to www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/presentations.htm.

About Preservation Greensboro Inc.:

PGI is a dynamic and resourceful organization that contributes a key role in the growth of Greensboro’s economy. With such diverse initiatives as Architectural Salvage of Greensboro, the Blandwood Museum, the Preservation Greensboro Development Fund, informative meetings, seminars, and special events, Preservation Greensboro is a constant voice within the community for revitalization efforts, improved quality of life, and conservation of historic resources for future generations. For more information: www.preservationgreensboro.org. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Preservation-Greensboro.

 

Triangle Modernist Houses Announces 2013 Appetite 4 Architecture Series

 

Vinny Petrarca of Tonic Design will attend the January 15 A4A Dinner.
(Photo by Allen Weiss)

Informal dinners connect noted local Modernist house architects with the public.

January 2, 2013 (Raleigh, NC) — For anyone dreaming of a new Modernist house, or interested in  the work of a local architect or designer, or perhaps thinking about architecture as a career, Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH) offers them public the opportunity to enjoy dinners with prominent members of the Triangle’s design community in a casual, small-group setting during the nonprofit organization’s annual “Appetite 4 Architecture” (A4A) series.

“A4A offers the public a unique opportunity to enjoy easy, informal discussions in an upscale dining environment with direct access to some of the area’s best residential architects and designers,” said TMH founder and director George Smart. “Participants are welcome to discuss anything they want with an array of award-winning professionals. They can discuss architecture, homebuilding, furnishings, real estate, or anything else. There are no presentations or PowerPoint slides, just great conversations.”

Each A4A dinner will be held at 18 Seaboard Contemporary American Grill in Raleigh and begin at 7 p.m.  The dinners include three courses (appetizer, entree, dessert) from a pre-selected menu, plus coffee/water/tea, tax, and gratuity. Vegetarian options are available and alcoholic beverages are available separately.

Matsumoto Award First Prize winner will also attend the Jan. 15th dinner.

The architects and designers on tap for this year’s series of A4A dinners are:

January 15:  The winners of the 2012 juried Matsumoto Prize for North Carolina Modernist residential architecture: John Reese, Mike Rantilla, and Vinny Petrarca. (Sponsored by VMZINC)

January 22: The “People’s Choice” winners of the 2012 Matsumoto Prize: Adam Sebastian, Will Alphin, and Scott Ogden. (Sponsored by VMZINC)

January 29:  architects Ellen Cassilly and Phil Freelon, along with jazz singer Nneena Freelon. Cassilly designed the Freelons’ 2200-square-foot penthouse condominium in downtown Durham’s Kress building. (Sponsored by Steelcase)

Tickets are $59 per dinner and are available at www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/a4a. A4A dinners tend to sell out far in advance, Smart said, so he encourages those interested to reserve their tickets soon. The deadline for reserving a seat at each dinner is one week prior.

All proceeds benefit TMH’s ongoing mission to document, preserve, and promote Modernist residential design. For more information and to reserve A4A tickets, go to www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/a4a.htm.

 

TMH Director George Smart To Appear On VoiceAmerica Radio Show

 

George Smart

Smart will join host Steven Clipp on “Winning The Dream Home Race.”

December 3, 2012 (Chapel Hill, NC) – George Smart, founder and director of the award-winning non-profit organization Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH), will appear live on the Voice America radio show “Winning The Dream Home Race” with host Steven Clipp at 10 a.m. Friday, December 7.

Clipp, principal of Steven Clipp Architecture in Chapel Hill and Blowing Rock, NC, podcasts his show every Friday morning. Its purpose is to help listeners understand what a “dream home” really is and how they can achieve the goal of creating their own while also maximizing their investment.

Smart’s segment of the show is entitled “Modern Homes For A Modern World.” According to Steven Clipp, Smart “will enlighten us on what is the Modern Style, what is Mid-Century Modern,and how is it different from Contemporary.”

Smart founded Triangle Modernist Houses in 2007. Since then, the organization has grown to include the largest single archive of modernist houses and the architects who design them in the nation. TMH is also known statewide for its popular modernist homes tours, its annual architecture movie series and “Thirst4Architecture” happy hour networking events, and a host of other events and efforts designed to raise awareness of modernist houses, especially mid-century houses that are endanger of demolition.

“Winning The Dream Home Race” is podcast on the VoiceAmerica Variety Channel. For more information, go to www.voiceamerica.com/channel/246.

For more information on George Smart and Triangle Modernist Houses, visit www.trianglemodernisthouses.com.

Wilmington Star News: “Modern-style houses make a comeback across nation – and in Wilmington”

By George Smart
Special to the StarNews

Friday, September 28, 2012

The John and Toni Cornelius House off Summer Rest Road near Wrightsville Beach was designed by local architect Scott Ogden. Modernist design is rare in any housing market but especially in the traditional South.

Modernist architecture came to America in the 1920s and blossomed in North Carolina in the early 1950s. Although the heyday lasted until the late 1960s, Modernist buildings, especially houses, continue to be built and are on the rise across the United States.

Modernist houses, those flat-roofed, unconventional homes you’ve remarked about while driving by, are actually an art form from the 1950s worth saving. Seeing these beautiful houses destroyed or deteriorating in the Triangle area, I started a website five years ago dedicated to preserving this unusual style. The website, Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH), has won seven historic preservation awards and gets up to 60,000 hits a month. The organization is a surprising success, despite the fact Modernist fans are vastly outnumbered in this state roughly 1,000:1. READ MORE…

INHABITAT.com: “2012 George Matsumoto Prize Announces North Carolina’s Best In Modernist Design”

8/23/12

By Al Bredenberg

The George Matsumoto Prize for North Carolina Modernist residential design recently announced its 2012 winners. North Carolina, and particularly the Triangle region (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill), has become known as an epicenter of modernist architecture in part because of the influence of the North Carolina State University College of Design. READ MORE…

DURHAM HERALD-SUN: “‘Modernism in Duke Forest’ tour to be in September”

August 18, 2012

DURHAM — Triangle Modernist Houses and Preservation Durham have announced “Modernism In Duke Forest,” a tour of six modernist houses in Durham’s Duke Forest neighborhood, will be September 15 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Duke University originally developed the Duke Forest neighborhood, just south of Duke University’s campus, for faculty and staff. Many homes are still owned by their original occupants.

While Duke Forest includes a mix of architectural styles, there are more mid-century modern homes in the neighborhood than anywhere else in Durham, according to local Realtors.

Triangle Modernist Houses, an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to documenting, preserving and promoting modernist residential design, has teamed with Preservation Durham, a non-profit organization that promotes the restoration of historic homes and commercial properties, to present the September tour. READ MORE..

AIA Eastern To Host “Mayberry Modernism: NC’s Modernist Legacy”

Triangle Modernist Houses’ George Smart to speak in New Bern.

May 17, 2012 (New Bern, NC) — Triangle Modernist Houses’ founder and director George Smart will present his popular talk “Mayberry Modernism: North Carolina’s Modernist Legacy” to the Eastern NC section of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Eastern) on Tuesday, May 29, beginning at 7 p.m.

Free and open to the public, the presentation will take place in the Chance-Kemp Orientation Theatre at the Tryon Palace History Center in New Bern.

“Mayberry Modernism” showcases North Carolina’s surprisingly large collection of Modernist residences from the 1950s through today. “Most people, even architects, are surprised that North Carolina has the third largest number of Modernist houses in America,” Smart says.

Smart’s discovery of the Triangle’s large number of “livable works of art” in 2007 led him to start TriangleModernistHouses.com, now the largest single archive of Modernist residential architecture and architects in the nation.

Since 2010, George Smart has taken “Mayberry Modernism” on the road to over 25 AIA NC sections, preservation organizations, realtors associations, and other groups across the state.

The AIA Eastern Section is composed of AIA members spanning eastern North Carolina from Rockingham to Kitty Hawk. The section includes 65 architects, 17 associate members, and 20 emeritus members.

A representative of Andersen Windows will make a presentation prior to Smart’s talk.

For more information on TMH, visit www.trianglemodernisthouses.com

TMH Announces The George Matsumoto Prize – Calls For Entries

Unique Modernist architecture competition features blue-ribbon jury, public voting, and $6000 in honors.

May 10, 2012 (Durham, NC) – George Smart, Executive Director of Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH), today

George Matsumoto, FAIA

announced the inaugural George Matsumoto Prize, a unique architecture competition to recognize recent achievement in North Carolina Modernist residential design. TMH is an award-winning, non-profit organization dedicated to documenting, preserving and promoting Modernist architecture.

The Prize is named for George Matsumoto, FAIA, one of the founding faculty members of the North Carolina State University School of Design (now College of Design), internationally known for his mid-century Modernist houses in North Carolina and elsewhere. Matsumoto will serve as Honorary Chair on the jury of well-recognized architects, including Frank Harmon, FAIA, (Chair), MarlonBlackwell, FAIA, David Jameson, FAIA, Tom Kundig, FAIA, and Larry Scarpa, FAIA.

“George Matsumoto was the preeminent Modernist designer in North Carolina in the 1950s,” said jury chair Frank Harmon. “As he made a lasting impression through his buildings and his influence on a generation of students, it is appropriate to honor him through this design awards program as a means of continuing his legacy of good modern design.”

The George Matsumoto Prize is unique among design competitions for four reasons:

1.     The Matsumoto Prize is open to both architects and designers anywhere in the world who have designed houses built in North Carolina since 2006.

2.     To encourage participation while recognizing the expense of preparing submissions, winners of the Matsumoto Prize receive honors of $3000, $2000, and $1000, respectively.

3.     For the first time ever in a North Carolina design competition, the public will participate as a juror, voting for their favorite houses. The public’s three favorites will receive a special certificate.

4.     The Matsumoto Prize is transparent – submitters identify themselves and their firms.

TMH’s objectives in creating the Matsumoto Prize are “to expand the public’s awareness about the great inventory of North Carolina Modernist houses, to showcase the skills of the North Carolina residential design community, and to inform the public that great design can be well within a homebuyer’s reach,” said George Smart.

“These entries will inspire people dreaming of a Modernist house to know Modernist design is affordable, efficient, sustainable, and most importantly, a house their families will love decades,” he added. “By using an architect or designer, you can have a house, or you can have a great house, for the same budget.”

Competition rules, submission procedures, and deadlines are available online at www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/prize.htm.