Modern Architecture on Cox Avenue in Raleigh

Harwell Hamilton Harris Office / Residence

Addition to Pullen Memorial Baptist Church

Pullen Memorial Baptist Church Addition

The lighting was nice this evening so I got inspired to shoot some pictures of the modern architecture down the street from where I live. The LA transplant, apprentice of Neutra and Schlindler, admirer of Frank Lloyd Wright, and one time NCSU architecture professor, Architect Harwell Hamilton Harris built his office and residence on Cox Avenue across Pullen Park from the School of Design (now College of Design) at NC State, and lived there until his death. I toured the office back when structural engineer T.C. Howard worked out of the building with his firm Synergetics, Inc.. The old models of his collaborations with Buckminster Fuller were placed about, illustrating the tensegrity principles, and harkening back to an important time in Raleigh and North Carolina history where big structural ideas were the driving force behind the designs of  Fuller, Catalano, Nowicki, and others.It's been a few years since the Dixon Weinstein Architects addition was built along Cox Ave behind the Pullen Memorial Baptist Church which fronts Hillsborough Street. I'm a believer that there can be a dialogue between older building and newer; additions don't have to "blend in" by matching materials and details, but can rather work as complementary structures on many levels. I also like how the accessibility ramp is integrated as part of the side entry plaza of the site. I applaud the vision of the church congregation for supporting this addition and Dixon Weinstein Architects for realizing what is probably the boldest example of semi-public modern architecture in Raleigh in recent years.