NCModernist Ellen Cassilly

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ELLEN CROZAT CASSILLY, FAIA (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.

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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.

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2001 - The Guillo Rodriguez and Jeffery Crawford Residence, aka the Weekend house, Fairview NC. Eight acres. Unbuilt.

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2004 - The Carolyn Adams and Melba (Sally) Schauman House, aka the Schauman-Adams House, 12582 NC Highway 86 North, Prospect Hill NC. Photos by Chris Ciccone.

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2008 - The Ellen Cassilly and Frank Konhaus house, aka Cassilhaus, aka Art House, aka Trapezoid House, aka 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.

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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.

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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.

2012 - The Susan Rosenthal and Michael Hershfield Renovation, 4019 Bristol Road, Durham NC.

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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.

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2014 - The Carol Hamlin House, 1410 Ward Street, Durham NC. Built by BuildSense.

2014 - The Rhonda Cohen and Jay Cunningham House, 1211 Bivins Street, Durham NC. Built by Leon Meyers.

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2015 - The Bruce Lamont House, 1406 Ward Street, Durham NC. Built by BuildSense.

2016 - The Marybeth Dugan and Kenny Dalsheimer Renovation, 1607 Hermitage Court, Durham NC.

2016 - The Louise Meintjes and Paul Berliner House, 809 Lancaster Street, Durham NC. Studio addition by Cassilly in 2018.

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2016 - The Ann Skye and Jami Norris House, 1402 Ward Street, Durham NC. Built by BuildSense.

2017 - 3546 Dixon Street, Durham NC. Sold to Paul Silverman and Doug Osborn. Sold in 2017 to Candra K. Wooten and Alonza B. Mumford. For sale in 2024.

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2017 - The Wellman Renovation, aka Timberly, aka Timbercrest, aka 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.

Blueprint page 1 / Blueprint page 2 / Blueprint page 3

Whoever they were, they were 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.

2018 - The Nonna Skumanich and Jeffrey Chase House, aka Ravine House, aka Still Hollow, 324 Reynolds Price Way, Durham NC. Built by Kevin Murphy of NewPhire Building Company. Photo by Iman woods. Designed to PassivHaus standards.

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