The Natural Areas and Architectural Character

Yamato Philbeck Residence - Raleigh, NC

In Situ Studio

The Yamato Philbeck Residence is located at the edge of a deep ravine, between the forest and a suburban street. The curvaceous entry and stair spaces are accessed at the southeast corner of the plan and direct movement towards the open north wall of the main living space, an elevated deck and views of the forest and ravine. The boxy exterior of the house shrouds a voluptuous and porous interior.

716 Offices - Raleigh, NC

The Raleigh Architecture Company

Emphasis was placed on preserving a majority of the existing structure when converting a mechanic’s garage into commercial office space. Large steel plate wrappers with direct-set glazing and operable ventilation windows were added to consolidate existing garage bays, Where cars once entered, natural daylight is invited in and views out are unobstructed. 

Service program provides seperation between spaces while allowing the texture and rhythm of the existing double-tee roof structure to continue. To bolster community space and soften the pedestrian experience, a courtyard with shade trees replaced the previous parking lot between the sidewalk and building.

Edens Quad - Durham, NC

Clark Nexsen

Described as “fortress-like” by students, Edens Quad was the least desirable place to live on campus. A series of strategies were developed for reviving the quad, creating a vibrant residential community connected to and engaging with the greater campus. A new entry threshold punctures the fortress walls to extend an existing campus axis into the quad. Study and gaming areas surround the new gateway, providing unique campus amenities. Existing commons areas are transformed into “lanterns” that provide needed transparency, connecting interior and exterior spaces. Repurposed exterior spaces enhance the sense of community and further the connection between inside and out.

Durham Main Library - Durham, NC

Vines Architecture

The transofrmation of the new main library includes 65,000 SF of complete renovation and a significant addition of appromiately 19,800 SF. The original structure was very inwardly focused with limited natural light and connection to the community. The initial design objectives for the project are to foster greater connectivity with the building itself and the city and community beyond. The site is located at the edge of downtown Durham at a unique ‘seam’ between downtown businesses, a redveloping historic neighborhood and several existing city/county social services (Health and Human Services to Urban Ministries).

Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School Great Hall Renovation - Raleigh, NC

Tonic Design

Making the most of $150,000 Federal Grant and a construction timeframe of a six-weeks during summer break, this architectural renovation consists of subtle but impactful insertions and additions. The existing entry hall was poorly lit, dull and lacked spaces for students to sit, collaborate and congregate. Trophy cases, of relics long forgotten, lined the perimeter of the hall gathering dust and little attention. The principal had a vision for a GREAT HALL that would transform an image of athletic achievement into an image of collegiate collaboration. Now 1500 students have a comfortable place to sit, work, and exchange ideas. The new Great Hall at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School creates a sense of refuge and community for the 1500 students that use it each day.

Jubala Coffee - Raleigh, NC

In Situ Studio

Jubala Coffee Hillsborough is a downtown location for Raleigh’s favorite suburban coffee shop. The space was crafted in an empty shell on the ground floor of a hotel on NCSU’s main drag. It is visible from the street and accommodates arrivals from the sidewalk and the hotel lobby. The primary xshop feature is a barista area that is experienced in-the-round and offers two points of sale, one for “TAKE” and one for “STAY.” The kitchen is also visible. Limited SF and a strange array of columns in the space made for a very constrained design process.

Wake Tech General Admin Classroom Building - Research Triangle Park, NC

Perkins+Will

The new General Administration and Classroom Building is the first building for Wake Tech Community College’s new Research Triangle Park Campus. As the first campus building, the 110,000 sf, three story form defines the future campus geometry and architectural character. The building design is conceived as a ‘campus in one’ with all necessary programs to support the new campus. The exterior of its ‘U’ shaped massing serves as a sound buffer to busy highway and railroad traffic. To the interior, the massing defines three sides of a more intimate courtyard that anchors one end of a future academic quadrangle.

Kimball Residence - Raleigh, NC

In Situ Studio

The Kimball Residence is located on one of the smallest buildable lots in downtown Raleigh. The form of the house perfectly mimes the maximum building envelope allowed by local building code. The house program is tightly packed, and openings are carefully located and oriented to edit the tight surrounding context. Elevated exterior spaces are carved from the volume of the house and a rear courtyard provides a garden refuge in the city. A steel and oak stair, visible from the street, ascends through a program that is “upside down” the main living spaces are on the top floor.

Willowtree - Durham, NC

Gensler

Searching for a space to expand in Durham led app development company, WillowTree to a beautiful old mill building whose third floor provides the perfect place to grow. The design team was engaged to design a workplace that balances focus and collaborative spaces to optimize team flow and productivity. They reached a cultural vision for a “walk through the woods;” a design concept crafted to make employees feel grounded in their environment, inspired to grow, and rejuvinated when they leave. The forest theme also resonates with the repetition in the original structure and employees; love for connecting with the outdoors.

Ocotea Renovation - Raleigh, NC

In Situ Studio

The existing house was a well-loved, 1960s ranch with a full basement. Over the years, piecemeal renovation had compromised the original clarity of the house the basement was reconfigured, and a flimsy sunroom had been tacked on the right side. We removed these distractions to uncover the original form, added a carport, site walls, and porches and completely refinished the interior. The house is now re-established in it’s mid-century neighborhood, a stark alternative to the method of buy, bulldoze, buildout that currently plagues Raleigh’s first-ring suburbs.

Wake Tech Community College Building Parking Deck 2 - Raleigh, NC

Clark Nexsen

Located at Wake Tech’s northern campus, the 776-space deck is enclosed in custom fabricated stainless-steel panels. Designed for an efficient use of material, the panels also employ a unique cross section that allows for a high degree of visual variability and interest from a single panel type. The highly polished surface reflects the colors of the sky and surrounding trees. The panels create enclosure on the east, south, and west, but open to the north to provide expansive views of a natural buffer area. Stair towers are conveived as light lanterns that float above the ground plane.

Lafera-Wilson Residence -Varina, NC

The Raleigh Architecture Company

Perched above steep slopes under the shade canopy of towering hardwoods sits the LaFera-Wilson Residence. Opposing shed roofs cover adjoining public and private wings, each appearing “flat” from the street to satisfy the Owner’s request for flat roofs and the Design Covenant’s required sloping roofs. A shift in plan informs entry and circulation along a spine of continuous walnut casework. Roof extensions force the inside out and provide exterior shelter above the forest floor. Floor-to-ceiling glazing alternates with solid wall panel to differentiate the public pavilion from the more secluded private areas.

Pine Valley Branch Library - Wilmington, NC

Vines Architecture

Located behind a single- story shopping center, the 20,000 sf Pine Valley Library transforms what could be considered an undesirable site, into a vibrant community destination. The raised corner announces the building’s presence as a contrast to the long horizontal shopping center, and once inside a large opening refocuses patrons towards the lush surrounding natural areas. Programmatic elements include active library program rooms, distinct children, adult, and teen areas, and a dedicated quiet reading space. Each key space is partnered with an outdoor program area, allowing the entire site to be activated.

Bioprocess Innovation Center - Research Triangle Park, NC

Clark Nexsen

Located in a dense hilly forest on a narrow peninsula of land, the Bioprocess Innovation Center responds to the rich topography as it weaves together building and landscape. The existing landforms are preserved and reinforced through terraced parking with a public path that steps down the hillside. The design organizes along the path and is comprised of a series of sliding tubes that float above the forest floor as they frame views into the landscape and connect the occupants with nature. The design fosters collaboration as the path transitions into a collaborative walkway inside the multiple types of gathering spaces.

Vescom North American Hq - Henderson, NC

Hobgood Architects

When Vescom, an international textile company based in the Netherlands, was looking to expand their North American facilities the options were to either expand their warehouse, or to construct a new working environment for their administrative and design staff. Vescom’s CEO Philippe van Esch opted for the latter. “We could have erected a generic box in front of the original building but we wanted it to be so much more than that. If the building is going to bear the Vescom name it needs to be a piece of modern architecture that reflects our core values and beliefs.”

Rogallo Museum Of Low-Speed Flight - Nags Head, NC

Evoke Studio Architecture

The history of aviation is embedded into the Outer Banks’ fabric, from the Wright brothers’ first flight to the Rogallo Flexi-Flyer. Emerging from the brush at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, this museum uses the experience and thrill of flying as the medium for showcasing pioneering achievements in and the adventure of low-speed flight. A soaring canopy welcomes visitors in preparation for a gradually ascending, immersive journey celebrating the Rogallo’s inventions and other aerodonetic triumphs. The ramped experience culminates in an expansive overlook connecting visitors to the park’s unique natural setting and the hang gliders taking flight on the dunes beyond.

Share :