Triangle Modernist Houses

Compiled by George Smart, Jr.                                                          

Do you have one?

JOHN D. LATIMER, AIA (1916-1996)

Latimer studied Architectural Design at MIT and earned a BS in Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. He relocated to North Carolina in 1950 from Nova Scotia and began his practice in Durham, a business that would last more than forty years. He was the owner and developer of Cedar Terrace Office Plaza in Durham, for which he received an AIA design award.  With AIANC, he served on many committees and boards and was appointed by Governor Scott to the NC Board of Architects, subsequently serving as president.  He received the Randolph Dumont Design Award in 1961. He retired to Cape Cod where he practiced architecture with his son-in-law Tom as Latimer Lawson, no longer in business.

If you know a phone number for Latimer's daughter Kathy or son-in-law Tom Lawson in Cape Cod, please e-mail.

1952 - Dr. Isaac M. Taylor Residence, 618 Morgan Creek Road, Chapel Hill, the house on 28 acres where musician James Taylor grew up along with three brothers and one sister.  George Matsumoto began the project but found it difficult to work with Mrs. Taylor.  In fact, he swore off home design, “not wanting to work with the wives.”  Mrs. Taylor lost no time in hiring Latimer to finish it up.  The lower floor contains the children’s bedrooms, the upper floor a master bedroom and living room.  The kitchen and dining are on the mezzanine level, left above.  The Taylors divorced and moved out by 1972.  The house was rented for a few years then current owners Jim and Pat Johnston bought it in 1974.  The steel beam construction tends to bring in the cold and condensation during the winter but otherwise the house is in excellent condition.  Photos by George Smart.

1953 - The Tilley House, 420 Raleigh Street, Fuquay-Varina. Roy and Geraldine Tilley built it in 1953.  Sold to Donald and Janet Allen in 1970.  Sold to Ann and George Kemp 1973.  Sold to Charles and Ginger Cates in 1978.  Sold to Hugh and Ruby Rogers in 1984. Sold to Cornerstone Trading Company in summer 2001. Sold to Timothy and Debora McKinney in fall 2001.  Sold to current owner Robert Volpe in 2007. 

Here's their 2007 Christmas card.

1955 - The James Kenan Beck and Nina Beck Residence, 300 Monticello, Durham.  The house was renovated once, also by Latimer.  Now owned by their son, James Kenan "Kenny" Beck. 

Around 1968 - His own house at 4907 Garrett Road, Durham, designed with his son-in-law Tom.  Latimer and his wife Helen lived there until he moved to Cape Cod MA.  The site was purchased around 1985 by the Eno River Unitarian Univeralist Fellowship (ERUUF).  They preserved the house for many years but eventually destroyed it to build a beautiful church sanctuary, above, in 2000.   The architect was Dixon Weinstein.  Previous to this location, Latimer lived in a farmhouse in Chapel Hill until he sold the land to Blue Cross for their trapezoidal headquarters.

Around 1985 - Next door to his home on Garrett Road, Latimer designed a house for a Robert and Nancy Lincoln, 5003 Garrett Road, Durham.