Charlotte modernists - mod sub div on the way

A heads up to LiveModern members in Charlotte. An architect friend of mine tipped me that a modern subdivision he has been working on is heading towards realization. I'll feed images here when I've got his permission, but until then head down to your zoning office and ask to see the submitted plans for the modern subdivision.

Are you talking about the one through Dwellings Realty? I saw pamphlets about it during the Plaza Midwood Home Tour. Very interesting.

I believe that is the same - the developer's name is Modern Dwellings LLC.

Hi Greg,

I am truly glad that some modern progress is being made in Charlotte. I live in the mountains of Boone and am planning to build a modern home. I may be the only one but it is a start. I looked at the website that summarized the planning for the new community and hope that Modern Dwellings LLC can prove that it would be an asset (and not an eyesore as one person said) to the community. I noticed that Peter Wong is the architect in charge. Do you now if there is anywhere I could se some of his designs online? I'd love to have a look.

Since you know some of the folks involved in the project it would be great if you could post photo and progres reports as stated in your post.

Pete

Pete - Peter Wong is my friend that tipped me! I have asked him to feed me some images to post when he is ready, and I'll do so. I've posted one of his projects here on my blog -

http://members.livemodern.com/Members/lavardera/lamidesigndevblog/tippahhouse01

http://members.livemodern.com/Members/lavardera/lamidesigndevblog/tippahhouse02

I did a google search and came up with the project page on the Charlotte site:

http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Planning/Rezoning/Rezoning+Petitions/2006+Petitions/2006-077.htm

This is all public info from the application so I'm not letting anything out of the bag. There are PDF files with site plans there so you can take a look. Also very interesting is a set of meeting minutes from the community meeting held to present the development to the public. Sounds like the much of the usual rigamarole resisting the modern house. Houses look too modern, architect reassures them that they will be the same scale and compatible materials... Yikes. Sounds like they made it through though, zoning board voted unanimously for the project rezoning.

One interesting snippet from the minutes. One of the developers mentioned they expected great demand for these homes and cited a modern home in Hillsborough, North Carolina that attracted 3,000 people for an open house - no doubt the prefab Dwell Home by res4a. It is encouraging to see that - to see that the developer rolled out this otherwise obscure fact to justify what they wanted to do. It goes to show you that every modern project counts - each one is a small step towards getting a foothold in the market. Each one gives us something to build upon and makes the next one easier.

Hi Greg,

I took a look at the proposed plans. That is what prompted my last entry. I was interesting to see the reactions of the local people when seeing the home plans. I am about 100 minutes from Charlotte and travel there often. I will keep an eye on the development of this wonderful project if for nothing else, to see how it is done. I have never buit a hoe from sratch, especially a modern home that I far local contractors will be scratching their heads at.

I love your designs and wish you were in NC as I need to work closely with my architect. I have contacted a company in Chapel Hill www.dixonweinstein.com to start the ball rolling. On their website, check out The House at Wood's Edge. It is a spectacular example of a modern farm home. I have seen more pictures of the interior which is a marvel in itself.

pete

Watch the project and see how it comes along. Give Peter Wong a call and have a talk with him. He is a very thoughtful designer and his experience is built from being hands on with construction as well. Maybe he will show you his garage that he built behind his house - the one from my blog.

What a score for Modern Dwellings LLC. The mod development was approved yesterday. I can't wait to see it's progress!

That's great to hear. I hope more info comes out now that the project is approved.

Anything happening with this? I heard that the Dwellings partners have split.

Previously Gregory La Vardera wrote:

That's great to hear. I hope more info comes out now that the project is approved.

Previously Greg Flewelling wrote:

Anything happening with this? I heard that the Dwellings partners have split.

I have not heard anything, but I'll check in with Peter to see what is happening with the project.

Previously Greg Flewelling wrote:

Anything happening with this? I heard that the Dwellings partners have split.

That's great news. It will be so good to see more modern architecture in Charlotte. Thank you for checking.

Previously Gregory La Vardera wrote:

Peter wrote back to me and said that the lead partner from Dwellings is going to be moving the project forward. He reports that everything is going well and moving ahead.

The other partners are pursuing other things - sounds like the usual business shifts for small developers.

how is this project going? When is it expected to be done?

Hello all.  I'm new to the site.  Love that there is a place for MCM folk to get together.  My wife and I are just finishing an expansion of our MCM in the Cotswold area.  Next comes the yard.  Once it's finished it sure will be a site AND for sale.  We're just putting the word out that this incredible home will be for sale at some point.  We bought 3 years ago and have spent lots on getting it ready.  New baths, 1500 foot addition, etc.  Stay tuned.

Mike

Hello all,

I see that this forum has been inactive for awhile, but in case anyone in the Charlotte NC area is reading it now, the 2010 Southern Spring Home & Garden Show (coming up March 3rd through 7th, 2010) celebrates its 50th anniversary!

An Eichler-inspired MCM home designed by Ted Cleary, ASLA, of Studio Cleary Landscape Architecture will be featured in a garden display; the front yard appears just as it might have in 1960; as you move around to the back yard, it becomes evident that some young hipsters have moved into the same house fifty years later and created a contemporary take on a Modernist courtyard garden.

In addition, Cleary will be presenting a program entitled "Seamless: Lessons from the Mid-Century Modern Home and Its Garden" twice during the show's run....what defines it; how did it pull home & exterior spaces together so well; how can its principles be adapted for today's frugal economy?