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You may be able to find what you are looking for (at least an architect) through the Triangle Modernist Archive. Their website has an abundance of information including modernist homes for sale in the triangle. At one time, there was a new home community of modernist homes planned for some land near the intersection of Trailwood and Avent Ferry; not sure of the status. Triangle Modernist Houses - Documenting, Preserving, Promoting Residential Modern Architecture
Chapel Hill and Durham have a much broader selection of mid century modern homes than the Raleigh area. Any in Raleigh, will be in pricey "inside the beltline" neighborhoods, and you're going to pay well over $200 a sq ft. There are contemporary ranches scattered all over, especially in neighborhoods built in the 70s and 80s. And again, but more ultra modern, Chapel Hill is the place to be. In Raleigh, modern and contemporary homes from previous eras are frequently razed and replaced with McMansions.
We like the pictured style, as well! Modern houses are often especially stunning inside. But we would not want a flat roof, where there is a chance of more than an inch of snow.
One feature of today's houses I've truly learned to dislike is the "pretend gable," where a plain roofline is broken up by several wooden triangles that serve no purpose - except they have to be painted or aluminum-clad, to keep them from rotting out. Another horrid feature is the garage that sticks out in front of the house - the result of placing the house on a too-small lot.
It's a dream of mine to one day, build a development, maybe 6-8 houses to begin, in the traditional 40s-50s mid-century modern style...all the way down to landscaping, etc.
I guess I disagree about resale issues with modern houses, but to each his own. We LOVE modern houses and, as the OP is doing, looked for one. And then used one of the local modern architects for renovation (we found with a previous house that you really need to use a architect AND a builder that are very experienced in modern houses to be able to speak the same language and get what you want.)
And I third the Triangle Modernist Houses site. Great list of triangle area modern houses and architects, as well as the history of NCSU Design School which was once a center for modern architecture, which is very evident in our neighborhood, which is full of modern houses from that era.
Chapel Hill and Durham have a much broader selection of mid century modern homes than the Raleigh area. Any in Raleigh, will be in pricey "inside the beltline" neighborhoods, and you're going to pay well over $200 a sq ft. There are contemporary ranches scattered all over, especially in neighborhoods built in the 70s and 80s. And again, but more ultra modern, Chapel Hill is the place to be. In Raleigh, modern and contemporary homes from previous eras are frequently razed and replaced with McMansions.
You claim Raleigh's stock is "pricey" yet you suggest Chapel Hill? Seriously?
With existing stock, I agree that Durham will probably be cheaper but new construction will probably only differ on the cost of the land.
While homes are certainly razed from time to time, I think it's an exageration to claim that Raleigh's stock is frequently razed.
I guess I disagree about resale issues with modern houses, but to each his own. We LOVE modern houses and, as the OP is doing, looked for one. And then used one of the local modern architects for renovation (we found with a previous house that you really need to use a architect AND a builder that are very experienced in modern houses to be able to speak the same language and get what you want.)
And I third the Triangle Modernist Houses site. Great list of triangle area modern houses and architects, as well as the history of NCSU Design School which was once a center for modern architecture, which is very evident in our neighborhood, which is full of modern houses from that era.
And my house is on Triangle Modernist Houses!
there's one neighborhood I know of in Orange County that was built as a commune-like existence that is all modern/contemporary architecture.
As noted, Triangle Modernist is the definitive site for this style of architecture.
There are two areas in Wake County/Raleigh with reasonable numbers of contemporaries: Cameron Village & Country Club Hills. One will run you 300-500K, and the other will be $500K+. There are homes available right now in each.
As noted, Chapel Hill has the same, a few areas where professors (typically) had architectural wonders constructed in the late 60's and 70's. They're generally south of campus.
In Durham, a few homes in Hope Valley are contemporaries. Then, in the Duke Forest area, and areas towards Chapel Hill from 15-501, you'll find some more in what was a very rural area when they were built.
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