Triangle Modernist Houses

Compiled by George Smart, Jr.                                                          

FRED CARTER WILLIAMS, FAIA
(1913-2000)

Over a 40-year span, Carter Williams' firm gave shape to more than 600 projects throughout the state, including the N.C. Department of Archives Library on Jones Street, buildings at East Carolina University, the renovation of the Governor's Mansion, and Raleigh's City Hall Complex. From 1939 to 1941 he was an assistant professor at the NCSU School of Design. In 1954, Williams, Macon Smith, and George Matsumoto designed Brooks Hall, home of the NCSU School of Design.  The firm's office was located at 2806 Hillsborough Street in the Wardlaw Building, built in 1962 in the International Style that he probably designed.  Since 1955, he was joined at the firm by his brother Turner Garwood Williams (1923-1981).

Each year AIANC awards the F. Carter Williams Gold Medal, their highest honor, to an individual in recognition of a distinguished career or extraordinary accomplishments as an architect.   

1941 - He designed this for himself at 809 Gardner Avenue, Raleigh.  Bought in 1977 by current owner James Clark.  Williams' future partner Macon Smith lived in the basement for 18 months.

1950 - The Robert Mayne and Frances Albright Residence, 3078 Granville Drive, Raleigh.  Albright (above) was a student body president at UNC and later a candidate for Governor in 1948.  For years he was the attorney for the AIANC for which he was granted honorary membership in the national AIA.  He sold the house in 1991 to trustee James Seay who sold it to William and Larose Spooner later that year.  They sold it the next day to John Edgar Weems.  Weems sold it in 1997 to Walter G. Davis, the current owner. 

1951 - The W. Carey and Evelyn Parker House, 2106 Banbury, Raleigh.  Turner Williams was the primary architect and Macon Smith did the checking (see plan).  Sold in May 2006 to Stephen Kicklighter and William Madison.  Originally 2400 square feet.  Subsequent renovations by architect Perry Cox.  Winner of the 2007 Sir Walter Raleigh Preservation award.   Renovations include a gourmet kitchen, granite and travertine counters, a new rose garden and heated salt water pool, and of course more square footage.  The house is now 4310 square feet.  Bought in 2008 by Brooke and Jes Bell.   

1955 - The Elmo and Alice Williams Residence, 714 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh. 
Bought in 1967 by current owner Gilbert Slack.

1955 - The George Vallas Residence, 5008 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh.  The Vallas family ran National Art Interiors on Glenwood Avenue for decades. The original built in cabinets and drawers (example above) are in exceptional condition.  The Vallas' invested well, buying dozens of surrounding acres north of Crabtree Valley, an area that would become valuable in the 1970's.  Their generous gift of land established the Greek Orthodox Church next door.  According to Macon Smith, an architect who worked on this house, Alvis George did most of the design.  Photos by George Smart.

1959 - Williams designed his own 5000 square foot house on six acres at 6612 Rest Haven Drive, Raleigh, Sold to Sam and Lynn Harris in 2000.  Sold to current owner Jill Maurer in 2005. 

1960 - The Dewey and Elma Arndt Residence, 1428 Canterbury Road, Raleigh. 
Sold in 1988 to current owners Henry and Joy Hartzog.

The Karl Hudson Residence.  511 Lakestone Drive, Raleigh.  Addition designed by Macon Smith.  This address may not be accurate, verification pending.

1962 - The John S. Rhodes Residence, 6616 Rest Haven, Raleigh.  Sold to his son, John Flint Rhodes and wife Ruth in 1980.  There was a fire in 1995 in the bedroom wing.  Architect Carl Gaskins designed the restoration as well as a kitchen renovation.  
They still live there.

Other Raleigh houses include:  Hirschberg-Cate, Dickson (1948), Kinney (1949), Green (1950), Poteat (1951), Branaman, Brafford (1952), Bolus, Hudson (1956),  Jones (1964)  No photos.  Do you have any?