Happy New Year from in situ studio!
The first month of the year has been extremely productive, with several new projects in schematic design and numerous others still in construction. We also have big news about our studio team!
Thank you for your continuing support!
Project Updates
The design for the Orange County Residence continues, with our first round of cost estimates and scope revisions currently in progress. This is our first project to implement a geothermal heat pump, which uses the ground’s moderate temperature as a resource to cool or heat the house. The Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit will reduce the cost of this system by 30%, enabling it to cost less than a standard HVAC system.
The Staton Simmons Residence is almost complete! The design added a new master bathroom, and much-needed storage to a historic home in Boylan Heights. The Staton Simmons have easily earned “Most Patient and Tolerant Client of the Year” for having lived in the house during the renovation work – with two small kids! See images of the completed project here.
We visited Carpenter Park this month and plan to move forward with the Master Plan design in the next several weeks in collaboration with DHM Design. See pictures of the park’s surrounding site and learn more about this project here.
Our First Full-Time Employee
We our ecstatic to announce that Nicole has been hired full-time at in situ studio after tirelessly claiming the exclusive honor of “Intern of the Month” for the past 10 months! Nicole brings amazing design sensitivity to the table, as well as critical feedback on the business aspect of the office, thanks to her degree in Global Innovation Management. Through her thesis, she focused on improving in situ studio’s online communication and presence, specifically through this newsletter and the website. As a second topic to her thesis, she researched accessory dwellings, or backyard apartments, and will soon launch a blog to document the ongoing progress of this research. Her personal website showcases her architecture, photography, and gnome-making skills.
Where We Live
You can learn a lot about architects and designers by observing where they live. As a mini-series in our newsletters, we’ll be sharing “Where We Live” by highlighting one of our places each month. All three of us reside within a three mile radius of the studio, supporting our mission of building community in downtown Raleigh. This month, we begin with Matt’s house.
Matt lives with his wife, Ashley, and their three kids 3 miles from our studio, in East Raleigh. His mid-century modern house, designed by August Lewis Polier in 1954, is sensitively nestled in the woods along Longview Lake Drive. Learn more about Matt’s home and why he lives there by visiting our website.
Book of the Month
Pairing well with last month’s book In Praise of Shadows, Thermal Delight in Architecture by Lisa Heschong looks at the potential of designing for thermal quality. The two books are similar in their petite size, but also in the way the authors explore an intangible element of design that has been displaced by modern technology. With a solid foundation of the history of specific cultures and their respective climates, this book is both insightful and inspiring.
Detail of the Month
Insulated Slab Edge Detail at the Goodman Residence.
Working In Our Community
The Exploris Middle School Bus Bench dedication this month was a grand success! Taking place at the AIA NC CfAD, the space was full of students, local supporters, Raleigh’s Mayor Pro Tem, and two other City Council members. Presenters included in situ studio, Exploris teachers and students, and esteemed guest speaker Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton. See local press coverage from News 14 Carolina and pictures of the event on our website.
Raleigh City Farm hosted an open house to introduce the crew of founders, supporters, and designers collaborating to make Raleigh’s first urban farm a reality. The community provided feedback and invaluable support. Learn more about our involvement and see pictures of the event here.
We’re avid supporters of CityFabric‘s new project: Walk-Raleigh. On these oddly warm winter days, try taking a walk around town to find these signs and imagine a more walkable future.
Next month, Erin, along side local architects Kenneth Hobgood and Brian Shawcroft, will be a guest of honor at the Triangle Modernist Houses event Appetite for Architecture. It is a dinner for the public to meet and converse with architects. Registration deadline is February 14 and seats are limited!
Please contact us if there is anyway we can help you.
Best!
in situ studio
919 397 3949
www.insitustudio.us