What a busy winter at in situ studio! Here’s a glimpse of what we’ve been up to:
Morgan Creek House
We’ve completed construction documents for the renovation of a significant modernist property in Chapel Hill. The existing house is incredible – designed by Matsumoto and Latimer and perched over twenty four acres of North Carolina hillside. We are working with a couple from New York to renovate the house and an adjacent guest house, add a pool and pool house, and repair a landscape that has suffered from years of neglect. We are working with Gregg Bleam Landscape Architect and Greg Paul Builders. Demolition is complete, and construction should begin in the next month. Future phases include a gallery for our clients’ significant art collection and another house. This is a very special property, and we are excited to share updates as we make progress!
Other New Work
We are in the final stages of design for several other projects and can’t wait to break ground! First, House BC is a brick courtyard house in East Raleigh that has a large second-level deck with views of the Raleigh skyline over Oakwood Cemetery. Kemp Harris has returned from retirement to build the house. Second, we are narrowing in on a design for Luna Lodge in Highlands, North Carolina – a series of six tiny homes that will be available for rent. Finally, the Heywick House is in Chapel Hill on a gently sloping wooded site. The house is a single-level meandering plan, with a broad roof spanning public spaces, courtyards, and private spaces. Build Sense has been a huge help preparing the project for the gauntlet of Chapel Hill permitting and will oversee construction. Stay tuned for construction progress updates on these projects via Instagram and Facebook.
Sarasota Modernism
Matt had the opportunity to visit his family in Sarasota, Florida last week. Legendary American architect Paul Rudolph started his career there, designing several houses and a handful of public buildings, including the Riverview Highschool (demolished) and an addition to Sarasota Highschool. The architectural highlight of the trip was dropping by the 1962 Hiss Studio by Edward J. Seibert and the 1953 Umbrella House by Paul Rudolph, both in Lido Shores. Right next to each other, these are two of the best midcentury houses in the country. Matt stood in the street and wept.
nc Unsung – Van Loi II
It is impossible to overstate the significance of Van Loi II in the story of in situ studio. Many people think that Van Loi II prepares the best Vietnamese food in the state. We agree. The space is in an obscure strip mall off West Gate City Boulevard in Greensboro. The standard fare Pho and Vermicelli bowls are spectacular. We’ve been known to roll in on the way home from site visits in Charlotte, order our favorite dishes, douse them in chili oil, and scarf. Eating here is a full-blown flavor emergency. Stop by on your next trip to western NC!
Song of the Month – “Dancing in the Dark”
Perfect Storm! “Dancing in the Dark” is a Hot Chip cover of Bruce Springsteeen’s seminal hit of the same name that features a sample of LCD Soundsystem’s “All My Friends.” This masterpiece builds and builds to a cacophony of sound that will make you want to cry out with joy. We typically unleash this anthem at the end of a great day. If you’ve had a great day, please queue this one up and enjoy!
Stay tuned for an update in March from our friends with Readings on Race, who are finalizing several 2019 events.
Best.
in situ studio