ELLEN CROZAT CASSILLY, AIA (1960-)

Ellen 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 locally 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 her husband Frank Konhaus (below) are extensively involved in the Durham arts scene, especially the spectacular Rousse Project.  Their recently completed personal residence, called Cassilhaus, features unique living, creative, and gallery space for their very own artist-in-residence.

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

1954 - The Dr. George W. Poland House, originally located at 3129 Arrow Road, Raleigh, above Crabtree Valley.  Over the years, the house became surrounded by commercial buildings and a giant mall. Built by Frank Walser.  After his death in 2001, Poland's family donated the house to Preservation North Carolina.  PNC put it on the market and imposed a buyer requirement to move the house to a suitable lot. Buyer Don DeFeo moved it to his 23 acres at 502 John Jones Road in Bahama, NC in 2002.  The move and simultaneous downstairs addition was designed by Cassilly.  Walser's son Bern was involved in the move.  Photo of lower level by Sally Greene. 

2004 - The Adams/Schauman House, Highway 86,
Caswell County NC.  Photos by Chris Ciccone.

 2008 - Cassilhaus, aka Art House, is the stunning residence of Cassilly and her husband Frank Konhaus.  6301 Mimosa Drive, in Orange County outside of Chapel Hill. Construction by LE Meyers Builders.  Alternately called “The Trapezoid House” or “The Tree House,” 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.  Featured on the TMH February 2009 Tour.  Additional resources:  ECA-Cassilhaus page, Cassilhaus blog, steel going up.  Top seven photos by James West. Remaining photos by Frank Konhaus.  In July 2009 the house was featured in the New York Times.

2011 - The Phil and Nneena Freelon Residence, creation of a residential penthouse condo in the Kress Building, Durham.  2200 sf.  The 1933 building is one of the largest and most elaborately decorated Art Deco buildings in North Carolina.  The building was the site of lunch counter civil rights sit-ins during the 1960's.

Estimated 2011 - The John and Amy Chute Renovation, 3534 Rugby Road, Durham.  The Chutes purchased the 1959 house from Ralph Coonrad, the original owner, in 2010.  The Coonrads admired a planbook house of a friend in Pine Bluff AR, 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.

Sources include:  Frank Konhaus, Ralph Coonrad, Ellen Cassilly, Ellen Cassilly Architect.