Triangle Modernist Houses

Compiled by George Smart, Jr.                                                          

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JOSEPH "JOE" RIVERS

Joe Rivers graduated from Clemson and worked at Durham's George Watts Carr Associates.  He worked on many large military projects on location at Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point, carving bases out of swamps.  Much of the work was accomplished on site setting up drafting tables in barrack type buildings. After WWII, Rivers moved to Durham and continued to practice with Carr on medical and hospital projects.  He retired to Morehead City, NC.

Approximately 1950 - 403 Carolina Circle, Durham, originally next door to George Watts Carr's son Robert Carr.  According to Edgar Carr [Robert's son and Joe's godson], Joe and his wife Sneed built this house on a very modest budget.  The house is now owned by Josh and Sarah Cohen.   The Rivers house consisted of an entry hall, a combination living/dining area with a sloped wood roof deck ceiling, a southern exposure through a large plate glass window sloped outward below overhang to avoid direct sun, a split level to accommodate two bedrooms above a work shop garage, and a kitchen adjacent to dining.  Interior photos by Josh Cohen.  Photos by Josh Cohen.