Inside the Studio

Summer is heating up, and so are we. Hopefully, this summer can find you catching a Durham Bulls game, gathering with friends for backyard/screened porch cookouts, and escaping to the mountains or the coast. As we dive into some fun we'd like to take a moment to catch you up on what's been happening around the studio this summer.

Project Highlight: Bahama Modern

August 4

A modern family home thoughtfully nestled on four wooded acres, this new home is designed to embrace the natural landscape while creating spaces for gathering, creativity, and quiet retreat. Make sure to take a look at the video tour below.

The project includes a light-filled, net-zero-ready residence, a detached garage with a dedicated craft studio, and plans for future gardens and outdoor gathering spaces. Expansive windows, clean lines, and a strong indoor-outdoor connection celebrate the beauty of the site while supporting sustainable living. Project Manager Amanda Isnard and Builder: Trinity Design Build

Our client requested a minimalist design, and Amanda delivered by creating a home defined by clean lines, expansive windows, natural materials, and thoughtfully designed spaces that soften the boundary between indoors and out.

Great design isn't just about how a home looks. It's about how it feels to live in. Tilt and turn windows are European-style windows that operate in two ways using a single handle: they tilt inward at the top for secure, draft-free ventilation, or turn inward like a door for maximum airflow and easy cleaning. They offer superior energy efficiency and multi-point locking for heightened home security.

For us, it's another example of how thoughtful design decisions can create homes that are not only beautiful, but healthier, quieter, and more enjoyable to live in every day.

Natural Light, Natural Materials

Spacious and functional kitchen packed with storage!

Who doesn't need practical storage? Thoughtfully integrated throughout the kitchen, maximizing function without compromising design.

A hallway really brightens up when it gets natural daylight. Skylights catch your eye and make you look up, bringing in nice light and shadows that add warmth, depth, and a sense of calm to everyday life at home.

As always, it is a pleasure working with Trinity Design Build. They executed the plans beautifully, and we look forward to our next collaboration with them.

Meet Our New Intern

Brittany Fountain

Architectural Intern

­Brittany earned her degree in Interior Architecture from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and will begin pursuing her Master of Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte this fall while continuing to work part-time with the ECA team.

She is passionate about thoughtful, human-centered design and enjoys creating spaces that foster connection and enrich everyday life. Brittany looks forward to growing as a designer through hands-on project experience, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Outside the office, Brittany enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves taking weekend trips, exploring new cities, and attending concerts and theater performances.

Sneak Peek: A Taste of What's Coming

One of the things we're most excited about right now is the opportunity to design a new restaurant space in Durham.

Husband-and-wife team Alex Catotti and Erin Kobler will showcase their cuisine and craft by opening Restaurant Cornelia and The Vintner and The Baker in Durham in Fall 2026.

Restaurant Cornelia and its sister concept, The Vintner and The Baker, will bring refined, approachable dining to the Triangle, celebrating the flavors of the American South through seasonal ingredients, sustainability, and artisanal craftsmanship.

We love renderings; they play an important role in bringing projects like these to life long before construction begins. They allow us to explore materials, light, scale, and atmosphere, giving clients the confidence to make thoughtful decisions before construction starts. They also spark valuable conversations, uncover new opportunities, and help ensure that everyone from the owners to the contractor is working toward the same vision.

We can't wait to share this project as it progresses and are thrilled to be part of creating places our community will gather in and enjoy for years to come.

Recognition That Inspires Us

We're honored to share two exciting milestones. Ellen Cassilly Architects has been voted Best Architect by Durham Magazine, a recognition that means so much because it comes from the community we proudly serve.

We're also thrilled that three of our projects were recognized with George Matsumoto Awards, North Carolina's highest honor for Modernist residential architecture presented by NC Modernist. These awards celebrate thoughtful, innovative design, and we're grateful to our incredible clients and collaborators for trusting us to bring these homes to life.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our work. We're excited to continue designing places that enrich lives and strengthen our community.

Durham Tree House

Carter

Rumsey

­As always, thank you for being part of the ECA community. We're grateful for the trust our clients place in us and for the opportunity to create spaces that support everyday life. We hope you're finding ways to stay cool, enjoy a summer getaway (or at least a little homemade ice cream), catch a baseball game, and make the most of the season.

We look forward to sharing more with you this fall.