Ellen Cassilly Architect Newsletter - Spring 2014

Iris in Duke Forest

Hamlin Residence on tour

The Hamlin Residence is really shaping up after our wet and snowy winter. After the super tight insulation was installed, then came the high SEER HVAC units and then drywall to make the home well sealed and very quiet. Now all of the finishes are in place - just in time for the Triangle Green Home Tour May 3-4 and 10-11. We'd love to show you around so please stop by.

Poland - DeFeo House also on tour

North Carolina Modernist Homes is organizing a tour on May 3rd. Ellen will be there from 12-1 to answer questions.

Rosenthal Hershfield addition and renovation

This project has actually been a trio of projects in series. We started with turning the screened porch into a sun room directly off of the main bedroom. Then we moved on to adding a hot yoga studio (105 degrees!) adjacent to the garden shed. It was no small task to regulate the heat and humidity. Thank you Jeff Daulton and Jeff Reilich for your HVAC expertise. And the final phase topped it off with an art gallery/living room addition. We were careful to try to add lots of wall space for art but still have plenty of natural light coming from all sides - now they have a wonderful space for their expanding art collection. Ed Hauser and his crew at Hauser Building Company got us through all three projects with tip top workmanship and attention to detail.

For the gallery addition, Jeremy Shaffer made all of the sound, electronics and lighting controls play well together. It's great to see the light-filled space adorned with so much lovely art from near and far. Nick Strange of The Century Guild worked closely with us to finely craft the window seat, two tables, two stools and even a shoe storage bench, out of bubinga, wenge and figured maple. Check out the cool shoe storage bench with roll top front. More photos in the next newsletter.

Primal Food and Spirits

We are so excited to be working with award wining chef Tim Lyons of Blu Seafood on his new farm-to-fork, gluten-free, Paleo inspired restaurant Primal Food and Spirits. It will have a wood-fired grill for the dining area and the bar will prepare signature cocktails. Jim Edney of Red Rhino Company has started the construction and we hope to be finished this summer. Just in time for a drink and kabob on the terrace!

Number of volunteer hours for 2013 by ECA staff: 120

We have donated our time to many worthwhile projects during 2013. A few of note are:

Durham Central Park remains near and dear to us. It is the heartbeat of the neighborhood and a nexus for community gatherings. We anticipate a flurry of construction activity between Mt. Merrill and replacing the Liberty warehouse. Also the Bull City Sculpture Show will have several pieces in and around the park, and at our office, going up in May. Our is by Gary Gresko site #1.

Downtown Durham Inc - Ellen continues on the executive committee and is the Vice chair of the board this year. It's exciting to see where Durham has come in the last twenty years and to anticipate an explosive amount of growth on the horizon.

The Art of Cool - This is the inaugural year for the Durham Art of Cool Music Festival. Think of it as a mini New Orlean Jazzfest mixed with Hopscotch. If you are a dyed-in-the-wool jazz head or simply jazz curious it it's worth checking out. It was this past weekend and it was fabulous. Don't miss it next year.

The Triangle AIA Board - The Triangle American Institute of Architects tirelessly works to promote good design in the area, through classes, public lectures and their fall home tour10-5 on October 11th. This is Ellen's second year serving on the board.

The City of Salisbury Plaza and Farmers' Market Design Charrette - Ellen teamed up with a group of citizens and the City of Salisbury, NC on a great revitalization effort for their downtown. A community plaza and farmers' market will be at the core. See Ellen's sketches below.

And a lovely spring to all.
Ellen, Keith, Meredith and Esther

Next newsletter we will have images of the NCSU students' summer Design/Build project in process. The project will be a produce processing pole barn for the Benevolence Farm - complete with barn raising!