Henry L. Kamphoefner House
Encyclopedia
The Henry L. Kamphoefner House was the first Modernist
house built in Raleigh
, North Carolina
. During the mid-20th century, faculty members from the School of Design located at North Carolina State College (now known as North Carolina State University
) designed and built several modernist houses in Raleigh for themselves, other faculty, and a few clients. Henry L. Kamphoefner
, originally the head of Oklahoma State University's architecture
program, became the first dean
of the college's School of Design. Kamphoefner was awarded the North Carolina Award
for Fine Arts in 1978 for his work and encouragement of other Modernists to build and design homes in the state. In 1977 he was awarded the Topaz Medallion for Lifelong Achievement in Architecture by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
. The Kamphoefner House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1996 and is designated a Raleigh Historic Landmark.
George Matsumoto
, architect of the Ritcher House
, and Kamphoefner designed the Kamphoefner House in 1948. The home was constructed in 1950. It is an example of Frank Lloyd Wright's
Usonia
n mode of design, characterized by small scale, affordable construction, open plan interiors, integration of interior and exterior spaces, flat roof and large glazed areas such as windows and doors. The house is oriented around a large, central brick chimney. The rear of the house features large insulated windows, the first of its kind in Raleigh. These windows face a large open terrace and offer a view of the nearby golf course. The front of the house contains no windows, allowing privacy to the occupants.
Modernism
Modernism, in its broadest definition, is modern thought, character, or practice. More specifically, the term describes the modernist movement, its set of cultural tendencies and array of associated cultural movements, originally arising from wide-scale and far-reaching changes to Western society...
house built in Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. During the mid-20th century, faculty members from the School of Design located at North Carolina State College (now known as North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
) designed and built several modernist houses in Raleigh for themselves, other faculty, and a few clients. Henry L. Kamphoefner
Henry L. Kamphoefner
Henry Leveke Kamphoefner was a champion of Modernist architecture and is most well known for bringing modern architecture to the southern United States and North Carolina in particular, as the first Dean of the School of Design at North Carolina State University.- Biography :Henry Leveke...
, originally the head of Oklahoma State University's architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
program, became the first dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the college's School of Design. Kamphoefner was awarded the North Carolina Award
North Carolina Award
The North Carolina Award is the highest civilian award bestowed by the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is awarded in the four fields of science, literature, the fine arts, and public service....
for Fine Arts in 1978 for his work and encouragement of other Modernists to build and design homes in the state. In 1977 he was awarded the Topaz Medallion for Lifelong Achievement in Architecture by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
American Institute of Architecture Students
The American Institute of Architecture Students is an international organization for college-level students of architecture. It is the primary membership and advocacy organization for architecture students in the United States. It is modeled roughly on the professional association called the...
. The Kamphoefner House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1996 and is designated a Raleigh Historic Landmark.
George Matsumoto
George Matsumoto
George Matsumoto is an American architect and educator who is known for his Modernist designs.George Matsumoto was born in 1922 in San Francisco, California...
, architect of the Ritcher House
Ritcher House
The Ritcher House is considered to be one of the best examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian mode of design in North Carolina. Located near downtown Raleigh, the house is one of many Modernist houses that were built in the city during the mid-20th century. Most of these homes were designed by...
, and Kamphoefner designed the Kamphoefner House in 1948. The home was constructed in 1950. It is an example of Frank Lloyd Wright's
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
Usonia
Usonia
Usonia was a word used by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright to refer to his vision for the landscape of the United States, including the planning of cities and the architecture of buildings...
n mode of design, characterized by small scale, affordable construction, open plan interiors, integration of interior and exterior spaces, flat roof and large glazed areas such as windows and doors. The house is oriented around a large, central brick chimney. The rear of the house features large insulated windows, the first of its kind in Raleigh. These windows face a large open terrace and offer a view of the nearby golf course. The front of the house contains no windows, allowing privacy to the occupants.