NCModernist Architecture You Love

Enjoy browsing, but unless otherwise noted, these houses are private property and closed to the public — so don’t go tromping around uninvited! Ctrl-F to search within page.

Ellen Crozat
CassillyFAIA

(1960– )

Cassilly holds a 1983 Bachelor of Environmental Design degree from Texas A & M University and a 1998 Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She worked in Paris with Christian DePortzamarc, winner of the Pritzker Prize, from 1988-1992. After a six-week internship with Arata Isotaki in Tokyo, she worked for Lucy Carol Davis and Frank Harmon. At the latter, she did projects such as the North Carolina Museum of Art Amphitheater. Cassilly started her own firm, Ellen Cassilly Architect, in 1999. She and husband Frank Konhaus are extensively involved in the Durham arts scene, especially known for the spectacular Rousse Project. Each summer, she teaches the Design/Build Studio at the NCSU College of Design. She was featured in Drawing from Practice: Architects and the Meaning of Freehand and in 2021 renovated an Abie Harris house.

Cassilly is most widely known for designing her personal residence, Cassilhaus, featuring unique living, creative, and gallery space for their very own artists-in-residence. 2013 Oxford American interview. Additional video.

Ellen Crozat Cassilly Ellen Crozat Cassilly Ellen Crozat Cassilly Ellen Crozat Cassilly Ellen Crozat Cassilly Ellen Crozat Cassilly
2001

The Guillo Rodriguez and Jeffery Crawford Residenceaka The Weekend house

Fairview NC

Eight acres. Unbuilt.

The Guillo Rodriguez and Jeffery Crawford Residence The Guillo Rodriguez and Jeffery Crawford Residence
2004

The Carolyn Adams and Melba (Sally) Schauman Houseaka The Schauman-Adams House

12582 NC Highway 86 North, Prospect Hill NC

Photos by Chris Ciccone.

The Carolyn Adams and Melba (Sally) Schauman House The Carolyn Adams and Melba (Sally) Schauman House The Carolyn Adams and Melba (Sally) Schauman House The Carolyn Adams and Melba (Sally) Schauman House
2008

The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus houseaka Cassilhaus · Art House · Trapezoid House · Tree House

6301 Mimosa Drive, Chapel Hill NC

The stunning residence of Cassilly and her husband Frank Konhaus. Construction by LE Meyers Builders. Cassilhaus uses three trapezoidal volumes across a steep and densely forested site affording breathtaking views of Duke Forest and New Hope Creek. Two living "pods," a multi-level main house and a self-contained guest house are joined by a long bridging structure and master suite — all of which is encircled by a clerestory. Outdoor spaces include a roof terrace with outdoor shower, a screened porch, multiple decks, and an at-grade terrace. Top seven photos by James West; remaining photos by Frank Konhaus. Additional resources: ECA-Cassilhaus page, Cassilhaus blog. NBC17 video (unaired). In July 2009 the house was featured in the New York Times.

The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house
2011

The Phil and Nneena Freelon Residence Renovation, penthouse condo in the Kress Building

103 West Main Street, Durham NC

2200 sf. The 1933 building is one of the largest and most elaborately decorated Art Deco buildings in North Carolina and was the site of lunch counter civil rights sit-ins during the 1960s.

The Phil and Nneena Freelon Residence Renovation, penthouse condo in the Kress Building The Phil and Nneena Freelon Residence Renovation, penthouse condo in the Kress Building The Phil and Nneena Freelon Residence Renovation, penthouse condo in the Kress Building The Phil and Nneena Freelon Residence Renovation, penthouse condo in the Kress Building The Phil and Nneena Freelon Residence Renovation, penthouse condo in the Kress Building The Phil and Nneena Freelon Residence Renovation, penthouse condo in the Kress Building
2012

The John and Amy Chute Renovation

3534 Rugby Road, Durham NC

Ralph Coonrad admired a planbook house of a friend in Pine Bluff AR, the Dunklin family, and when it came time to build in Durham that architect (whom Coonrad does not recall) sent them a set of plans. The original house was built by Ned Newsome. The Chutes purchased the 1959 house from Coonrad in 2010. Renovations by Cassilly, bottom three photos, built by Ryan Johnson. Sold in 2014 to Kaija and Clayton W. Beard.

The John and Amy Chute Renovation The John and Amy Chute Renovation The John and Amy Chute Renovation The John and Amy Chute Renovation
2012

The Susan Rosenthal and Michael Hershfield Renovation

4019 Bristol Road, Durham NC

The Susan Rosenthal and Michael Hershfield Renovation The Susan Rosenthal and Michael Hershfield Renovation The Susan Rosenthal and Michael Hershfield Renovation
2013

The James A. Umbanhowar and Nichola J. Lowe Renovation

1402 Virginia Avenue, Durham NC

The 1940 colonial-style house, bottom photo, was totally transformed. Built by BuildSense.

The James A. Umbanhowar and Nichola J. Lowe Renovation The James A. Umbanhowar and Nichola J. Lowe Renovation The James A. Umbanhowar and Nichola J. Lowe Renovation The James A. Umbanhowar and Nichola J. Lowe Renovation
2014

The Rhonda Cohen and Jay Cunningham House

1211 Bivins Street, Durham NC

Built by Leon Meyers.

The Rhonda Cohen and Jay Cunningham House
2016

The Louise Meintjes and Paul Berliner House

809 Lancaster Street, Durham NC

Studio addition by Cassilly in 2018.

The Louise Meintjes and Paul Berliner House The Louise Meintjes and Paul Berliner House The Louise Meintjes and Paul Berliner House
2016

The Ann Skye and Jami Norris House

1402 Ward Street, Durham NC

Built by BuildSense.

The Ann Skye and Jami Norris House The Ann Skye and Jami Norris House
2017

The Candra K. Wooten and Alonza B. Mumford House

3546 Dixon Street, Durham NC

Sold to Paul Silverman and Doug Osborn. For sale in 2024.

The Candra K. Wooten and Alonza B. Mumford House The Candra K. Wooten and Alonza B. Mumford House The Candra K. Wooten and Alonza B. Mumford House The Candra K. Wooten and Alonza B. Mumford House
2017

The Wellman Renovationaka Timberly · Timbercrest · Hearth House

4911 Timberly Drive, Durham NC

Located in Orange County. Original house built in 1960 by James McDonald Field. The original architect is unknown but possibly was from California. The house has an exceptionally elaborate and Modernist multi-level fireplace. The architect was exceptionally talented to create this elaborate fireplace. In early 1962, the house went into foreclosure and was sold to Jack G. and Catherine Murtha Robbins who finished the interior and lived there for decades. Deeded to their children, Stephen (Steve) Robbins and Sharron Atkinson. Sold in 2016 to the Wellmans who hired Cassilly for the renovation. Project architect, Megan Patnaik; photos, Frank Konhaus. Blueprint page 1 / Blueprint page 2 / Blueprint page 3

The Wellman Renovation The Wellman Renovation The Wellman Renovation The Wellman Renovation The Wellman Renovation The Wellman Renovation
2018

The Nonna Skumanich and Jeffrey Chase Houseaka Ravine House · Still Hollow

324 Reynolds Price Way, Durham NC

Built by Kevin Murphy of NewPhire Building Company. Photo by Iman woods. Designed to PassivHaus standards.

The Nonna Skumanich and Jeffrey Chase House
2018

The Patterson Studio

Hillsborough NC

The Patterson Studio The Patterson Studio The Patterson Studio The Patterson Studio The Patterson Studio
2020

The Terry Blanken House and Dennis Schwartzlanderaka Casablanken

Pittsboro NC

Project architect, Megan Patnaik.

The Terry Blanken House and Dennis Schwartzlander The Terry Blanken House and Dennis Schwartzlander
2021

The Celeste Richie and Jason Arrol House

924 Old Oxford Road, Durham NC

Built by BuildSense.

The Celeste Richie and Jason Arrol House The Celeste Richie and Jason Arrol House
2021

The Ellen Pizer Remodel

Lamond Avenue, Durham NC

Project architect, Megan Patnaik.

The Ellen Pizer Remodel The Ellen Pizer Remodel
2021

The O'Malley Remodel

Rainbow Drive, Chapel Hill NC

Project architect, Megan Patnaik.

The O'Malley Remodel The O'Malley Remodel
2021

Beverly Addition

Beverly Drive, Durham NC

Beverly Addition
2022

Trent Woods House

Trent Woods NC

Built by Bruin Builders.

Trent Woods House Trent Woods House
2026

The Rebecca Balter Island Houses 1 and 2, 263-

265 Paces Mill Trail, Pittsboro NC

Two houses on the opposite ends of an island in the Haw River. Designed with Megan Patnaik. Built by Kevin Murphy/Newphire.

The Rebecca Balter Island Houses 1 and 2, 263- The Rebecca Balter Island Houses 1 and 2, 263-
2025

Bahama Modern

Bahama NC

4 acres. Built by Trinity Design Build. Project architect, Amanda Isnard.

Bahama Modern Bahama Modern Bahama Modern
2026

The Hunter Garrison House.

2026

The Flythe House.

Sources include: Frank Konhaus; Ellen Cassilly Architect.