WILLIAM (WILL) JACKSON ALPHIN, JR.(1966-)

Will Alphin is one of a new breed of talented architect/builders in the Triangle.  Since 1995, his firm Alphin Design Build, Inc. has won awards for his exceptional craftsmanship in residential remodeling and new home construction.  Alphin, a licensed contractor, has a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from NCSU's College of Design.  Alphin's wife Kay is an interior designer who redesigned the Helios Cafe in 2008.

 1999 - His own house at 915 Tower Street, Raleigh. With wife Kay, Alphin took an old cinderblock preschool (bottom photo) with high ceilings and concrete floors and turned it into a modern marvel.  The kitchen, dining and living areas occupy what used to be classrooms. The former nursery and lunchroom are now a home office, bedroom and a bath. A master suite loft was added to the existing roofline, allowing a lot of extra space. 

2004 - The Dawn Leonard Residence, 909 Tower Street, Raleigh.  Alphin's first house designed from the ground up.  The owner is a hairdresser and works from the front room.  According to Alphin, "the house is two stories plus a full basement, just over 2000 feet heated, 1100 feet of basement, and 200 feet of porches, one in front and a screened in the rear.  The upstairs and downstairs are essentially completely open with two vertical ‘cores’ serving to separate the uses of their otherwise open plans.  For greater privacy there are two large panels that can be rotated into place to close off the salon." 

2008 - The Zachary (Bo) and Heather Herring Taylor House, 816 Graham Street, Raleigh, on the site of a ranch house (bottom photo).  Heather is the daughter of the late Troy Herring, a noted Raleigh architect. The house is chock full of exquisite cabinetry custom built by owner Bo Taylor.  Tile by Elegant Stone and Tile.  Counters by Brazeal Stone.  Custom metal work by Ben Galata.  Solar and radiant by Home Energy.  Windows and siding doors by Henselstone.  Bamboo floors by Sedaris Hardwood Floors.  The second floor terraces feature a really simple and elegant rainwater harvesting system by Rainwater Solutions.  Glass and mirrors by Carolina Glass and Mirror.  Zinc roofing by VM Zinc installed by CDN Roofing.   Photos by George Smart.