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

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George Smart

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.

About Triangle Modernist Houses:

Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH) is a 501C3 nonprofit organization established in 2007 and dedicated to documenting, preserving, and promoting Modernist residential architecture. The award-winning website is now the largest educational and historical archive for Modernist residential design in America. TMH also hosts popular Modernist house tours several times a year, giving the public access to the Triangle’s most exciting residential architecture, past and present. These tours and a host of other TMH-sponsored events raise awareness and help preserve these “livable works of art” for future generations. Visit the website at www.trianglemodernisthouses.com. TMH also has an active community on Facebook.

Chatham Community Library To Host “Mayberry Modernism”

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Triangle Modernist Houses’ George Smart will discuss the state’s Modernist legacy.

April 30, 2012 (Pittsboro, NC) — George Smart, founder and director of the award-winning non-profit Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH), will present his signature talk “Mayberry Modernism: North Carolina’s Modernist Legacy” at the Chatham Community Library in Pittsboro, NC, on Wednesday, May 9, beginning at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

“Mayberry Modernism” showcases North Carolina’s surprisingly large collection of Modernist residences from the 1950s through today, particularly those in the Triangle region. Many of these houses are in good shape, some are endangered, and many have been destroyed.

“Most people, even architects, are surprised that the Triangle has the third largest number of Modernist houses in America,” Smart says. “Through ‘Mayberry Modernism,’ I discuss why we have so many and share photographs of over 50 eye-popping, award-winning Modernist houses in the region from mid-century to new construction.”

Smart’s discovery of the Triangle’s large number of “livable works of art” in 2007 led him to found Triangle Modernist Houses.com. Today, the TMH website is the largest single archive of Modernist residential architecture and architects, in the nation.

According to Jennifer Gillis, branch manager of the Chatham Community Library, architecture is a subject of interest in Chatham County. “Especially with regard to ‘green’ construction,” she said. “Our library, which was designed by [architect] Louis Cherry, serves not only as a public library, but also as the library for Central Carolina Community College, which has a strong program in sustainability.

“One of the aspects of Modernist architecture that should resonate with people at this time is its emphasis on practicality and economy of space,” she continued. “Because of the rural nature of the area, these homes are hidden gems—for example, a Lustron home that is in walking distance from our library. I think people will be surprised to hear how many modernist homes are located in Chatham and Lee counties.”

The Chatham County Library is located at 197 NC Hwy 87 North, Pittsboro NC 27312 (919-545-8084). For directions and more information about the library, go to http://www.chathamnc.org/Index.aspx?page=304.

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

Raleigh’s Pecha Kucha Night To Feature “Mayberry Modernism”

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George Smart of Triangle Modernist Houses to present the 7-minute version of his popular presentation.

February 14, 2012 (Raleigh, NC) – Triangle Modernist Houses’ founder George Smart will be one of the rapid-fire presenters at Pecha Kucha Night in Raleigh on Wednesday, February 22, presenting “Mayberry Modernism: Why North Carolina Is America’s Hotspot For Way Cool Houses.”

Pecha Kucha is the Japanese word for “chit-chat.” Participants share ideas in a fast-paced, high-energy manner in no more than six minutes and 40 seconds.

Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH) is an award-winning, non-profit organization Smart founded in 2007 to document, preserve, and promote modernist residential design. “Mayberry Modernism” spotlights many of North Carolina’s modernist houses from the 1950s to today. TMH draws over 50,000 hits a month to its vast digital archives, with nearly 15,000 photos.

The theme for this year’s Pecha Kucha Night in Raleigh is “Love of Community,” which segues perfectly with “Mayberry Modernism,” according to Smart.

“I’ll share how – and why – I and so many people have come together around a love of North Carolina Modernist houses,” he said.

Smart has presented Mayberry Modernism to Pecha Kucha events in Raleigh and Charlotte. He also regularly presents a speech-length version, “Mayberry Modernism: North Carolina’s Modernist Legacy,” across North Carolina to preservation groups, sections of the American Institute of Architecture, and professional realtors’ associations, among others.

Pecha Kucha Night will take place at The Union Tavern in downtown Raleigh, 327 West Davie Street, #114. Doors open at 5:40 p.m. The event is free, but space is very limited and sells out, so audience members are encouraged to get their free tickets early at http://pknraleigh.com/register/.

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

Triangle Modernist Houses Announces 2012 “Appetite 4 Architecture” Dinners

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Giving the public access to some of the best architects in the Triangle.

(Raleigh, NC) – Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH) has announced its third “Appetite4Architecture” series of dinners that give the public the chance to enjoy relaxed, informal discussions in an upscale dining environment, where dinners have direct access to some of the area’s best residential architects and professionals.

TMH is an award-winning, non-profit organization dedicated to documenting, preserving and promoting Modernist residential design.

“Dreaming of a new Modernist house? Long admired the work of a local architect or designer? Thinking about architecture as a career? Appetite4Architecture offers a chance to break bread with prominent members of the Triangle’s design community in an intimate, affordable small group setting,” said TMH founder and board chair George Smart. “There are no presentations or PowerPoint slides — just great conversations with award-winning cuisine.”

The schedule and special guests for the 2012 A4A dinners:

Tuesday, January 31: Frank Harmon FAIA, Ellen Cassilly,AIA, and Randy Lanou.
Tuesday, February 21: Kenneth Hobgood, FAIA, Erin Sterling Lewis, AIA, and Brian Shawcroft, AIA.
Tuesday, March 6: Vinny Petrarca and Phil Szostak, FAIA.

Again this year, the “A4A” dinners will be held at 18 Seaboard in Raleigh and begin at 6:30 p.m. The dinners include three courses from a pre-selected menu (vegetarian options are available) plus coffee, water, tea, tax, and gratuity. Price per person is $53. Tickets are available at www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/a4a.

TMH requires a minimum of 10 participants per event (maximum 17). Otherwise the event will be cancelled with full refunds. If someone purchases a ticket but then can’t attend, substitutions are allowed. Payments are nonrefundable except for event cancellation. All proceeds benefit TMH’s ongoing documentation, preservation, and house tour programs. For more information call George Smart, 919-740-8407.

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

About Triangle Modernist Houses:

Triangle Modernist Houses was established in 2007 to document, preserve, and promote Modernist residential design. The award-winning website is now the largest educational and historical archive for Modernist residential design in America. TMH also hosts Modernist house tours several times a year. These tours raise awareness and help preserve these “livable works of art” for future generations. Visit www.trianglemodernisthouses.com. TMH also has an active community on Facebook.

Triangle Modernist Houses’ Founder Addresses NCSU Class

Categories: architecture, historic preservation, mid-century architecture, modern architecture, people
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George Smart will present talk, house tour for College of Design Students

July 4, 2011 (Raleigh, NC) – George Smart, founder and director of the award-winning non-profit organization Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH), will be a guest lecturer for a summer class in the NC State University College of Design on July 5^th.

On July 6^th, Smart will take the same class on a tour of Modernist houses in Raleigh from 4-8 p.m.

Architect and Professor in Practice Frank Harmon, FAIA, is teaching the class, along with School of Architecture Professor Margret Kentgens-Craig, PhD. Harmon and Kentgens-Craig invited Smart to give his signature presentation, “Mayberry Modernism,” to their class and to conduct the tour of Modernist homes in the Raleigh area.

“No one has done more to promote and celebrate modernism in North Carolina than George Smart,” said Frank Harmon. “He is a treasure.”

Launched in 2007, Triangle Modernist Houses is dedicated to documenting, preserving and promoting modernist residential design. Through Smart’s direction and research, TMH’s website is now the largest single archive of modernist residential design in the nation. TMH also conducts a host of activities around modernist houses including single- and multi-home tours throughout the year.

“NCSU’s College of Design has been a partner in building the TMH archives since day one,” Smart said, “so I’m honored to give back by speaking and helping to arrange a house tour for the students.”

Among other accolades, Smart recently received a 2011 Preservation Durham Advocacy Award Advocacy Award.

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

George Smart Receives 2011 Preservation Durham Advocacy Award

Categories: architecture, historic preservation, mid-century architecture, modern architecture, news, non-profit, people, vintage
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Triangle Modernist Houses’ founder and director praised at awards

TMH's George Smart

ceremony.

June 20, 2011 (Durham, NC) — George Smart, founder and director of Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH), a non-profit organization dedicated to documenting, preserving and promoting modernist residential design, is a 2011 recipient of Preservation Durham’s Advocacy Award for individual effort.

The 2011 Preservation Awards were announced during Preservation Durham’s Annual Meeting on June 15.

“George’s labor of love has turned, in a few short years, into the country’s largest online archive for modern architecture and modernism,” Preservation Durham announced during the awards presentation. “George has made it his personal mission to actively promote the value of modern architecture in our daily lives and in our architectural heritage – from mid-century/1950s houses to new construction – as well as the architects who design them.”

The award presentation cited Smart’s ongoing effort to archive and promote historic preservation “by cataloging the disappearing mid-century modern homes and commercial structures throughout the Triangle region and state, many of which we have lost and, sadly, many of which are currently at-risk.”

The presentation also cited TMH’s weekly newsletter and free listing of modernist houses for sale that helps realtors find buyers for those houses, especially those in danger of being demolished.

“But George’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to historic preservation is illustrated by more than a single website,” the announcement continued, pointing out TMH’s many house tours, dinners, tours outside the state, annual architecture movie series, and other educational programs.

“Educating the public about the importance of preserving the architectural treasures of the recent past is always a challenge for local and regional non-profits,” the announcement concluded. “The Triangle is fortunate and we are grateful to have such a staunch advocate, volunteer, and crusader in George Smart.”

Smart expressed his gratitude for the award: “Durham has an amazing range of Modernist houses, many of which are approaching 50 years old. Now is the time for the community to recognize these houses as the next generation of Durham’s history. TMH is proud to help Durham cherish that legacy through our online archive. We are honored to receive this award.

This marks the fourth public accolade Smart and TMH have received. In 2008, TMH received an Award of Merit from the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill and a Gertrude S. Carraway Award from Preservation North Carolina. In 2009, TMH received the Paul E. Buchanan Award from the Vernacular Architecture Forum and a Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance from the City of Raleigh.

For more information on Preservation Durham and its awards program, visit www.preservationdurham.org.

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

About George Smart:

A Raleigh native, George Smart became interested in architecture through his father, the late George Smart Sr. The latter was a local architect for over 40 years and, like many in his generation, admired Frank Lloyd Wright’s modernist style. Although the son’s career has little in common with architecture (he is a business consultant through his firm Strategic Development, Inc.), George can’t deny genetics. Modernist design is irrevocably embedded in his DNA. Even his mother, Ann Seltman Smart, a WPTF radio personality at one time, produced a documentary during the 1960s called “A is for Architecture.” In 2007, George created the website www.trianglemodernisthouses.com. Recognizing increasing threats to the region’s modernist inventory, George set out to document every structure that could be identified, from existing neighborhood icons to those already lost to demolition or decay. George lives with his wife, Eleanor Stell, in their award-winning modernist house on a lakefront in Durham.

Triangle Modernist Houses Takes Its Message To Real Estate Agents

Categories: architecture, business, education, events, historic preservation, modern architecture, news, non-profit
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Founder George Smart Addresses the Durham Regional Association of Realtors.

June 8, 2011 (Durham, NC) — George Smart, founder and director of the award-winning non-profit Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH), will present “Mayberry

George Smart, founder/director, Triangle Modernist Houses

Modernism: North Carolina’s Modernist Legacy” to a meeting of the Durham Regional Association of REALTORS® on Thursday, June 23, at 2 p.m.

“Mayberry Modernism” showcases the state’s surprisingly large collection of Modernist residences from the 1950s through today, particularly those in the Triangle region. The Triangle has the third largest concentration of Modernist houses in the nation, bested only by Los Angeles and Chicago. Smart’s presentation includes photographs over 50 award-winning homes from the 1935 Gamble House in Durham designed by Green and Rogers to the 2010 Bugg House, also in Durham, designed by Kenneth Hobgood, FAIA.

To help preserve all of these homes, Smart’s nonprofit maintains the state’s only list of Modernist houses on the market. “To preserve the unique architecture, we assist realtors to find caring owners for Modernist houses,” said Smart. “Multiple-listing systems cannot distinguish between contemporary and Modernist construction, so TMH provides this service without charge for agents, buyers, and sellers alike.”

“The design and legacy of Modernist homes will acquaint REALTORS® with these hidden treasurers in our market place,” said Shelia Willis, CEO of the
Durham Regional Association of REALTORS®. “We look forward to this exciting and informative program.”

Because of rising land values, many mid-century Modernist houses are in danger of destruction. “When bulldozers are on the way, people tend to blame developers, which is unfair,” Smart said. “Developers typically come only after many opportunities to save a house have been missed. The real enemies are vacancy and time. When homes are vacant, they decay faster and they are more susceptible to weather and vandalism since no one is around to take care of them.”

Part of the TMH core mission is keeping these Modernist gems occupied by reducing time on the market. TMH also advises real estate agents on how to sell modernist houses in a declining market.

“The secret,” says Smart, “is to market such houses completely differently. What you’re selling is not a house, it’s livable art.”

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

About Triangle Modernist Houses

Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH) is a 501C3 nonprofit established in 2007 to restoring and growing modernist architecture in the Triangle. The award-winning website, now the largest educational and historical archive for modernist residential design in America, continues to catalog, preserve, and advocate for North Carolina modernism. TMH also hosts popular modernist house tours several times a year, giving the public access to the Triangle’s most exciting residential architecture, past and present. These tours raise awareness and help preserve these “livable works of art” for future generations. Visit the website at www.trianglemodernisthouses.com. TMH also has an active community on Facebook.

Triangle Modernist Houses.com Debunks Modernist Houses Myths

Categories: architecture, green architecture, historic preservation, Interior Design, landscape architecture, mid-century architecture, modern architecture
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Founder/director George Smart counters “flat-roof” prejudice.

The Strickland-Ferris House by Frank Harmon, FAIA

May 12, 2011 (Durham, NC) – George Smart of Durham, NC, has spent the past four years working to document, preserve, and promote Modernist residential design through his award-winning website Triangle Modernist Houses.com. Modernist residential design typically features open plans, extensive use of glass to blur the line between outdoors and indoors, flat or low-pitched roofs, and aesthetic geometric forms.

The son of a Raleigh architect, Smart believes Modernist houses are “sculpture for living.” He is disturbed by the number of Modernist houses being destroyed in the wake of rising land values.

“The key,” said Smart, “is keeping these houses occupied and in the hands of appreciative owners, but there are several myths about Modernist houses that keep buyers away.”

Smart recently noted five primary myths about Modernist houses.

Myth #1: Modernist houses leak.

Reality: “Mid-century modern architecture often exceeded what materials science could support, creating houses with all sorts of problems, usually involving water and buckets,” Smart said. “By the time those problems were resolved, the word on the street was ‘don’t buy a flat-roofed house.’ Today, materials science is so advanced that you can build anything with confidence. Keep in mind that most of America’s office buildings have flat roofs. Like the brontosaurus, leaks in new construction are virtually extinct.”

Myth #2: Modernist houses are hard to sell.

The Smart-Stell House by Tonic Design

Reality: “This is true for any house larger than 3000 square feet or $600,000 in the current economy,” Smart said. “However, if a Modernist house is small, well-designed, kept in good condition, and features up-to-date kitchen and bathrooms, it should resell comparably to traditional homes. We do our best to publicize these houses to readers looking for Modernist houses.”

Myth #3: Modernist houses lower surrounding property values.

Reality: “Translated: This means your neighbors don’t share your design tastes,” Smart said. “Unless the house is falling down or you plan to paint it purple, your Modernist house will, if anything, raise property values.”

Myth #4: Modernist houses are cold and sterile.

The Crowder House by Thomas Crowder, AIA

Reality: “Modernist houses, like ice cream, come in many different flavors,” Smart said. “Some Modernist houses can feel intimidating, almost clinical. Others are warm and inviting. The use of color and texture and different building materials, especially woods, tend to warm up even the coolest geometries.”

Myth #5: Modernist houses are expensive, and getting an architect just pumps up the cost even more.

Reality: “Any contractor can build a nice house, but getting an architect often means getting a house you’ll dearly love,” Smart said. “Architects are trained to efficiently use 3D volumes, not just 2D square footage, in ways that can make a 2400-square-foot house live like a 3000-square-foot house. That can result in significant cost-savings, or more money for furnishings. And through green, sustainable design features, architects can reduce your gas, electric, and water costs.”

Triangle Modernist Houses.com features the largest archive of Modernist houses in America, including profiles of their architects. It also offers an exclusive, free listing of Modernist houses for sale or rent throughout North Carolina. For more information, visit www.trianglemodernisthouses.com.

About Triangle Modernist Houses:

Cameron Village Library To Host “Mayberry Modernism”

Categories: architecture, downtown Raleigh, education, events, historic preservation, mid-century architecture, modern architecture, news, non-profit
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Triangle Modernist Houses’ George Smart will discuss NC’s modernist legacy.

George Smart of Triangle Modernist Houses

March 10, 2011 (Raleigh, NC) — George Smart, founder and director of the award-winning non-profit Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH), will present his signature talk “Mayberry Modernism: North Carolina’s Modernist Legacy” at the Cameron Village Library in Raleigh on Thursday, March 31, from 7-9 p.m.

“Most people, even architects, are surprised that the Triangle has the third largest number of Modernist houses in America,” Smart said. “Mayberry Modernism discusses why we have so many and shares photographs of over 50 eye-popping houses from past and the present.”

Smart’s presentation showcases the state’s surprisingly large collection of Modernist residences from the 1950s through today, particularly those in the Triangle region. Many of these houses are in great shape, but some are endangered and many have been destroyed.

Smart’s discovery of the Triangle’s large number of “livable works of art” led to the creation of a non-profit, Triangle Modernist Houses.com, in 2007. Today, the TMH website is the largest single archive of Modernist residential architecture in the nation.

Smart is a passionate advocate for Modernist architecture. He continues to facilitate the public’s discovery of the state’s architectural legacy through TMH’s extensive website, public house tours, architecture trips outside the region, dinners with residential architects, and many other events. TMH also actively preserves existing Modernist houses by maintaining the state’s largest list of Modernist properties for sale.

“Mayberry Modernism” is free and open to the public. Cameron Village Regional Library is located in the Cameron Village Shopping Center at 1930 Clark Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27605. For more information, please call 856-6703 or email Patti.Huopana@wakegov.com.

For more information on George Smart and TMH, visit www.trianglemodernisthouses.com.

About Triangle Modernist Houses

SAVED: National Alert Saves Endangered NC Modernist House

Categories: architecture, mid-century architecture, modern architecture
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The Carr House, 1958.

February 7, 2010 (DURHAM, NC) – Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH), a non-profit organization dedicated to archiving and preserving modernist residential design, is pleased to announce that the endangered 1958 Carr House has been sold to new, appreciative owners. This masterpiece of mid-century modern architecture was originally designed by architect Kenneth Scott AIA, for John and Binford Carr.

When the 2337-square-foot house went on the market last fall, TMH founder and director George Smart issued a national alert to find a buyer who wouldn’t tear it down.

“Immediately I knew this house was a prime target for the bulldozer,” Smart said. “It was an older house on a large lot on a golf course, coupled with an empty lot next door – the perfect storm for a McMansion and a tragedy for a uniquely beautiful house in near-perfect shape.”

The hidden terrace

TMH issues alerts when a potentially endangered house goes on the market rather than wait while it sits empty – sometimes for months or years. “By doing so, we gain critical time,” Smart noted, “time that dramatically increases the chances of finding a buyer who wants the house, not just the property.”

Smart describes the house as “straight from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian playbook. From the carport, a door opens onto an enclosed, private terrace and garden. Sliding glass doors open to the interior where large windows at the back of the living space overlook the golf course. A hall leading to the bedrooms also features a glass wall with exterior views.”

Natural wood and brick walls throughout the house “exemplify master builder Frank Walser’s work, adding warmth to the modern lines and volumes of the interior,” Smart said.

Besides its architectural significance, the house’s private garden and surrounding property still feature the work of master landscape architect Lewis Clarke, FASLA, who taught at the NCSU School of Design under Dean Henry Kamphoefner.

Interior view

The Carrs, the only owners of the house, listed the property with Susan Peak of Peak, Swirles & Cavallito of Durham last fall. Smart and Peak immediately collaborated on local publicity, held an open house for TMH supporters, linked the home’s MLS listing to TMH, and posted a collection of black-and-white images from the late 1950s. The next step was a national news release on the house’s availability, including to the Recent Past Preservation Network.

Smart hoped a buyer who truly appreciated the beauty and historic importance of Kenneth Scott’s design would come forward before a developer grabbed the land and discarded the house. Six months later, he got his wish.

“The new owners love what they’ve bought,” he said. “They split ownership of the adjacent empty lot with a neighbor, so that will never be built on. And they plan a small but respectful addition in the coming year. This preservation story couldn’t have ended better.”

Smart also noted that the new owners have expressed interest in getting the house listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information on the Carr House and architect Kenneth Scott, go to www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/scott.htm.

For more information on TMH and to see other modernist houses for sale in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill region of North Carolina, visit www.trianglemodernisthouses.com.

About Triangle Modernist Houses

Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH) is a 501C3 nonprofit established in 2007 to restoring and growing modernist architecture in the Triangle. The award-winning website, now the largest educational and historical archive for modernist residential design in America, continues to catalog, preserve, and advocate for North Carolina modernism. TMH also hosts popular modernist house tours several times a year, giving the public access to the Triangle’s most exciting residential architecture, past and present. These tours raise awareness and help preserve these “works of art” for future generations. Visit the website at www.trianglemodernisthouses.com. TMH is also available on Facebook.

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