RICHTER-NORTON ARCHITECTURE - Key Persons
Barbara Richter, AIA established Richter-Norton Architecture, PLLC in January of 2009, which has focused primarily on residential renovation and additions. "Bloom where you're planted comes to mind when I think about renovation. In your home, you know how you live; you've placed your furniture and then you work around your house or work against your house. How your house could work much better for you is where your architect comes in. Architects are uniquely trained to translate design issues issues into form.
Perhaps you need more daylight or access to a view which is maybe obscured by a wall; (or maybe there is a view that you have that you don't want ...); a beautiful detail, a high ceiling at the entry or a place to play music, or where you want floors which feel lovely to bare feet, or room for a dining room table big enough to spread out and work as well as serve Thanksgiving Dinner for your extended family. You know your home and what you already do in it. What you want to do in it is where I come in." Barbara enjoys working with and getting to know her clients, listening to their concerns, thinking "outside the box" and working closely with the client and the contractor to create architectural solutions.
Recent projects include Triangle Modernist Home Renovation in Durham, NC, which was on the Triangle Modernist House Tour, the Modapalooza 2015 and an accessibility upgrade through the Veteran's Administration, both recently completed. After designing the renovation and addition for performing and rehearsing chamber music in Chapel Hill, NC, Ms. Richter has collaborated with Wes Lachot Design Group in acoustical analysis and design in production of Wes Lachot Design Group recording studios on a project by project basis.
Barbara has continued to work with Richard Duncan of RL Mace Universal Design Institute, where she contributed to Barrier-Free Washrooms, a Bobrick Product Design publication, showcasing the latest products in compliance with ADA2010 and ANSI117.2. Richard Duncan and Barbara Richter-Norton have completed several Accessibility Compliance Surveys in Greenville and Greensboro, NC. Ms. RIchter aided Universal Design Institute plan and prepare Universal Design Summit 5, (UDS5), a national conference showcasing the latest research and trends devoted to universal design, accessibility, aging in place with respect to the built environment and product design, a huge success.
Former Vice-President and longtime member of Durham Area Designers (DAD) (www.dadinc.org), Ms. Richter-Norton has helped conduct design charrettes surrounding urban issues. DAD co-founder, Dan Jewell, refers to the group of architects, landscape architects and design professionals as the "hired crayon" to facilitate authentic solutions together with the community. Projects in Durham include Ninth Street Form-Base Zoning, West Chapel Hill Street, Watts Montessori Edible Garden, Bull City Connector Art Bus Shelters, and Carrboro's Northwest Small Area Plan Visioning Project.
Barbara earned a Masters of Architecture from Virginia Tech in 1988. Offices she worked in the previous two decades are John Hawkins, AIA, Michael Hining Architects (now mha-works) in Chapel Hill, Jack Haggerty, Architect, Inc. in Carrboro doing institutional, educational, commercial and residential architecture. Barbara lives and works in Chapel Hill, NC, is mom to Genevieve, James and Frances (and Stanley, the mighty dog.)