Jefferson D. Brooks III (NC, 1926-2007), Maquette of a Mid-Century Summer Residence

1970, wood, metal, acrylic, and polychrome, scale model of a triple A frame design by Jefferson D. Brooks III, the engraved metal plaques affixed to the floor indicated the residence was designed for "Mr. and Mrs. Jess A. Sullins, Jr. (P.E)/ Colington Harbour, N.C."

14 x 22 x 22 in.

Jeff created this model around 1970 of a house for engineer Jess Sullins Jr., to be built in Colington Harbour, a newly created waterfront neighborhood in Kill Devil Hills NC. Sadly, the house was never built. Sullins remarried, and the model remained in storage until recently.

Jefferson D. Brooks III was educated in the District of Columbia, attended George Washington University, and worked for A.D. Ring and Associates, Consulting Engineers, prior to coming to Raleigh to attend North Carolina State University, School of Design. He also served honorably in the military service, and spent his second honorable enlistment in the military as an Officer in the Corps of Engineers.

Jefferson was a student of NC State School of Design's landmark inaugural class that would set the tone and reputation as an important rigorous design school. The 5-year program attracted visiting artists and architects such as as Frank Lloyd Wright, who spoke to Brooks and his classmates in 1950, and offered instruction from professors James Fitzgibbon, Edward Waugh, George Matsumoto and the husband-and-wife pair of Matthew and Stanislava Nowicki.

Like Brooks, many of his classmates were also veterans that served overseas in World War II, and it was this maturity that characterized the drive and dedication toward studies and projects under the leadership of Dean Henry Kamphoefner.

Jefferson was influenced by the work of R. Buckminister Fuller, and traveled abroad on several trips to supervise the erection of Fuller's Geodesic Domes for World Trade Fairs for the Department of Commerce. Records show that Jeff had copyrights on log house designs in the late 60's with W.D. Christian. Jeff was also taught as a drafting instructor at Wake Tech Community College for 25 years.

Surface staining; areas of wood losses and cracks to railing structures; steps detached.