For the rehabilitation of and addition to the Fadum House, 3056 Granville Drive, Raleigh
Designed and built for Ralph and Nancy Fadum in 1949-50, 3056 Granville Drive, better known as the Fadum House, is one of several Modernist houses built in Raleigh from the 1940s to the 1960s. These houses were the manifestation of architectural concepts embraced by the faculty of the School of Design, established in 1948 at North Carolina State College (now North Carolina State University). James Fitzgibbons, one of the initial faculty members at the newly formed school, designed the house for the Fadums.
The Fadum House embodies the concept of Usonian architecture developed by iconic American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Usonian design is 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 property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a Raleigh Historic Landmark.
Raleigh’s mid-century Modernist structures are severely threatened as a result of increasing property values and recent trends towards larger-sized residences. Recognizing the threat to the house, Nick and Julia Fountain purchased the house from NC State University in 2004. The Fountains selected the noted Modernist architect and former NCSU School of Design faculty member, Brian Shawcroft, AIA, for the design of an addition. Shawcroft had known the architect Fitzgibbons and had admired the house since first arriving in Raleigh.
Renovations began in 2005 with rewiring and general repairs. In 2006 a major addition was carried out; in order to meet the city’s design guidelines for historic landmark properties, it was necessary for the addition to be both distinct and respectful to the original house. To this end, the addition utilizes a similar rectangular form topped by a sloping single-plane roof. The addition is turned at a 90-degree angle from the original house to avoid impacting its principal views. A simple single-story hyphen connects the old and new wings.
The Board of Directors of Capital Area Preservation, Inc. is pleased to present a 2009 Anthemion Award to Nick and Julia Fountain, Brian Shawcroft, AIA, and The Splinter Group, Inc. for the rehabilitation of and addition to the Fadum House, 3056 Granville Drive, Raleigh.