The August House

THE AUGUST HOUSE

RESIDENTIAL

The August House is a modernist gem nestled in Raleigh’s Village District that has already become an architectural landmark in Raleigh’s thriving modernist scene.

The house was born both in concept and construction just prior to, and during, the Covid pandemic. Though the dream and conceptual development began before the pandemic, construction took place primarily during the height of the shutdown. The pause placed on some of our other projects gave us the ability to dedicate manpower and time to the house. This pivot proved to make a lot of sense for our business. It allowed for efficiencies with our resources during an uncertain time and it let us parlay our years of commercial construction experience into the nuances of a modernist build. The methods for commercial building and modernist residential work overlap quite a bit and our familiarity with reinforced concrete, huge plated glass panels and steel framing proved to be invaluable during construction.

Ambitious in size and scope, the August House was designed with every effort to compliment the land it rests on. For instance, the elevation allowed three floors of living space to be built on a large scale without resulting in an overpowering structure. And details such as the floor to ceiling windows lining the back of the home took advantage of the land’s slope to provide stunning, unobstructed views. With the many details of the residence that come together to make such a powerful visual experience, perhaps none is as impactful as the 20 x 12’ cantilever on the rear of the home. The cantilever is a spectacular engineering statement and necessitated steel framing to support its weight. Our team anchored seven feet wide steel footings into the ground to provide a sturdy framework for the 5,200 square foot home and expansive glass plates were reinforced and installed just as they would be in a commercial build, adding to its durability. Fixtures and materials were carefully chosen to seamlessly combine the industrial nature of the base materials with thoughtful finishes that have created a welcoming, inviting home. Bespoke marble, stone and tilework installations are throughout. From the oversized front door to the meticulous landscaping, no detail has been overlooked.

Careful consideration has also been given to the environmental impacts and long-term sustainability of the home and surrounding property. Over 50 solar panels were installed on the two roof levels and 5,000-gallon cistern was incorporated into the landscaping in an effort to reduce the burden on the present water system and self-sufficiently care for the garden. Additionally, the landscape design relies on indigenous plantings that thrive in the North Carolinian climate and are resistant to drought conditions. Collectively, these steps ensure a certain level of sustainability and efficiency for the August House.

The August House has been featured in Triangle Home Design & Decor magazine (see pages 11-13 of linked PDF) and was included in the Triangle’s 2021 Parade of Homes.