Triangle Modernist Houses

Compiled by George Smart, Jr.                                                          

 

KATHY CROOK (1950-2004)

 

Kathy Crook graduated from the NCSU School of Design in the early 1970’s.  Although she never got her architectural license, she did get a very willing first client.  Her mother , Edna Crook, purchased land next door to sister Margaret Dolan and commissioned Crook to design a retirement home.   Unfortunately, Dolan died during construction and Edna Crook changed her mind about living there.  It was decided that Kathy Crook would live there instead, which she did until her untimely death in a 2004 car accident.   In the early 1990's Crook remarried and with husband Jim Nestor had several children.  Meanwhile, Crook worked as a planner for the City of Durham.   According to Nestor, she designed two other houses, one located in Morehead City.  He is not sure of the second one.

 

 

1977 - The Kathy Crook Residence, 33 Mount Bolus Road, Chapel Hill.  3310 square feet, featuring an incredible round living room with a dome skylight in the center.  She served as the general contractor.  A small addition was put on in 1995 after Hurricane Fran.  There was also renovation from a small fire.  Crook so vividly loved the outdoors and the isolation that the surrounding woods provided that she refused to allow a driveway, instead parking on the street and walking 50 feet of stairs and decking to reach the front door.  The house was vacant for about two years.  Sold in May 2008 to current owners Arthur and Shaun Bruemmer who plan renovations and of course, a driveway. 

 

Sources:  Jim Nestor, Shaun Bruemmer, photos by Derek Mangum.