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HENRY WOOD JOHNSTON, AIA (1939-2024)

Johnston was born in Greensboro. He attended the Curie School which was a part of Woman's College (now UNC-Greensboro) and worked as a print boy for architect Ed Loewenstein. He wanted to attend Black Mountain College but it shut down before he could go.  Johnston instead attended the NCSU School of Design, where after criticizing a studio led by Harwell Hamilton Harris (who tended to go on tangents about detailing) and telling Dean Henry Kamphoefner to "grow up," Johnston was dismissed by Kamphoefner from the school. The dismissal lasted only a few days and Johnston was re-admitted. Johnston interned for Terry Waugh and graduated from NCSU in 1964. Next, Johnston worked with Waugh at the NCSU Planning Office along with Charlie Woodall. He worked for Owen Smith in 1965, shifting to Ballard McKim and Sawyer in Wilmington in 1967 where he became a partner in 1970. In 1971, he moved back to Raleigh to partner with Ligon Flynn. They moved to Wilmington in 1973 to design many houses at Figure Eight Island. Their partnership ended in 1976. Johnston and Kamphoefner eventually reconciled and Johnston was instrumental in setting up rules for the Kamphoefner Prize. In 2002, his son Ian Johnston joined Johnston's firm. Johnston retired in 2013 and lives in Wilmington NC.

Johnston Project List (Excel).


2019 Interview on the Chiles House Origins


1970 - The Horace King House, 20 Beach Road South, Figure Eight Island, Wilmington NC.


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1974 - The Phillips-Corpening House, aka Tree House, 275 Beach Road North, Figure Eight Island, Wilmington NC. Original owners were Stanley and Katherine Phillips and John and Susan Corpening. An elevator was added at some point. Sold in 1980 to Ralph Benz. Sold in 1987 to Richard Howard. Sold in 2001 to Kathryn and Earl Congdon. Sold in 2003 to Jasie Barringer. Sold in 2005 to Stec No 05 2130 LLC. Sold later in 2005 to David and Agnes (Bunny) Bachman. Sold in 2014 to 275 BRN LLC, a Bachman company. Available for rental. Bottom photo provided by Steve Arnaudin.


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1975 - The Charles (Chuck) H. Jr. and Diane (Candy) H. Flynt / David Flynt House, 289 Beach Road North, Figure Eight Island, Wilmington NC. Built by J. Fred Murray Construction. Designed for two brothers and their families. Won a 1979 AIANC Honor Award. Sold 2002 to Ellen C. and Andrew J. Schindler. Sold in 2005 to the Ellen Nelson Schlindler Trust. Renovation and addition by Michael Ross Kersting.


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1976 - The Thomas M. Stanback House, 240 Beach Road North, Figure Eight Island, Wilmington NC. Deeded in 2008 to Thomas M. Stanback Jr. Sold in 2014 to Nancy B. and Kevin J. Schimelfenig. Destroyed in 2015. A new house by Michael Ross Kersting was built on the site.


1980 - The Henry and Lorene Johnston House, 1401 Airlie Road, Wilmington NC. Sold in 1987 to Margaret D. and Thomas H. Dyer. Sold in 1992 to John A. Elmore II.


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1980 - The Murray and Barbara Fishman House, 316 Beach Road North, Figure Eight Island, Wilmington NC. Project associate, John Stirewalt. Johnston also designed a house for the Fishmans in the Bahamas, unbuilt. Destroyed. New house on the site as of 2017, designed by John Stirewalt.


1982 - The Paul S. and Mary W. Monroe House, 6 Beach Bay Lane East, Wilmington NC. Deeded in 2003 to John Alan Monroe. Sold in 2019 to Margaret P. Dickens.


1986 - The Bob and Rochelle Grubb House, aka the Grubb/Sorsby House, 11 Surf Court, Figure Eight Island, Wilmington NC. Built by Murray Construction. Sold to the Sorsbys.


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1987 - 188 Beach Road South, Wilmington NC. Needs verification as a Johnston design. Land owned by J.P. Goforth Companies. Trustee transferred to lender in 1991. Sold later in 1991 to Rommel Realty. Sold in 1995 to Pablo Eguia and Sons Inc. who had an addition and renovation done by Henry Johnston. Deeded in 2005 to Margarita M. Eguia. Sold in 2020 to Landon G. Zimmer.


1987 - The Bernie Mann House, 224 Beach Road North, Figure Eight Island, Wilmington NC. Deeded in 2012 to 224 Beach Road, LLC.


1988 - The T. Stewart House, 1723 Galaxy Court, Wilmington NC. Built by Murray Construction.


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1989 - 1421 Landfall Drive, Wilmington NC. Sold to Norman and Edna Mason. Renovated in 2000 by Michael Ross Kersting. Deeded to heirs. Sold in 2013 to Tom and Sabine Verellen. Sold in 2021 to Point Dume, LLC.


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1989 - The Henry and Lorene Johnston House, 8005 Bald Eagle Lane, Wilmington NC. Built by Murray Construction. Landscape design by H. Burkert. Interior design by Lorene Johnston. Appeared in NC Architect Magazine. Sold in 2015 to John C. Norwood.


1990 - The H. Pitt House, 314 Beach Road North, Figure Eight Island, Wilmington NC. Built by Murray Construction.


1992 - The J. Fields House, 2 Comber Road, Figure Eight Island, Wilmington NC. Built by Murray Construction.


1993 - The M. Whatmore House, 214 Beach Road North, Figure Eight Island, Wilmington NC. Built by Murray Construction. Sold.


1993 - The W. Armfield House, 2 Beach Road South, Figure Eight Island, Wilmington NC.


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1998 - The Nichole and Henri W. Van Dierdonck House, 1009 Turnberry Place, Wilmington NC. Sold in 2007 to the VD Family Partnership. Sold in 2014 to Grey Shrimp, LLC. Sold in 2018 to Jacquelyn Glenn Henshaw.


2004 - The Grant Renovation, 8224 Bald Eagle Lane, Wilmington NC.


2011 - The Frank and Julia Daniels House, 5 Banks Road, Figure Eight Island, Wilmington NC. Built by Murray Construction.


Sources include: Henry Johnston; Wrightsville Beach Magazine