500 Blount Street

The Fallen Zero

I decided to take a walk throughout downtown Raleigh since the winter weather is melting away and the days are lasting longer. My favorite part of downtown is the series of historic houses located along Blount Street.   Once the place of admired residential architecture is now a series of blurs to the cars that zip past them on the way to a hip bar or restaurant further down the road.  However, this residential area is a place to enjoy leisurely because of its overflowing whimsical character that shines through a coat of chipping paint.

Approach from Blount Street

My post, today, focuses on a charming, white house located in the corner of Polk St and Blount. These old bones date back to 1875 and were built for Senator August Merrimon in a Victorian Italianate style.   The delicate details in the facade are what attracted me to the structure. A curved pattern seems to be lightly hanging between the supporting members of the porch, emphasizing horizontality.   It's trabeated porches creates a sense of depth and allows for a place to rest during a hot North Carolina summer day.  The use of two porches within the home creates a dynamic composition on each side of the structure.  A deep cornice crowns the tops of the porches, making the architecture weighty and grounding down the lower level.  Despite it's delicate ornamentations, 500 Blount street also has strong tectonic qualities.  

Side Porch Bolt Detail

The architect does not hide the structural components of the house.  Large bolts, gears, and rivets are evidence of the construction techniques.  This architecture is not ashamed to conceal the structural parts, it in fact incorporates it into the ornamentation of the porch.  Making it a part of the house's architectural aesthetic.