University of North Carolina at Asheville
D. Hiden Ramsey Library
Special Collections/University Archives

Oral History Register
for

William (Bill) Moore

OH-VOA M66 Wi

Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection
D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA

Title

Creator

Dorothy Joynes for Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection

Subject

LCSH:
Moore, William (Bill)
Asheville (N.C.) -- History
Architecture -- North Carolina -- Asheville
City Planning -- North Carolina -- Asheville

Subject

Keyword: Blue Ridge Parkway ; Unitarian Church ; S&W ; Grove Arcade ; Pack Place ; Montford

Description

Abstract: Moore discusses his education and experience with architecture and city planning.  He describes his work achievements, citing Model City plans, public housing, and his involvement with the Blue Ridge Parkway.  He describes his interest in a modern architectural movement that seeks to produce structures that are in harmony with nature, citing Frank Lloyd Wright as one of his major influences.  He discusses Asheville's downtown, noting problems that he sees with its revitalization, as well as potential sources of improvement.  He describes changes over the years, discussing the Grove Arcade, Pack Place and the S&W Cafeteria.  He also discusses many of the old homes in Montford that are being restored by the Preservation Society.  He describes his involvement as architect of the Unitarian Church on Charlotte Street.

Publisher

D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, NC, 28804

Contributor

Date

Electronic Record Issued: 2002-05-23

Type

Sound ; Text ; Image

Format

Physical Description: 9-page abstract ; 1 90-minute audiocassette and 1 copy ; 2 color photographs ; newspaper articles and brochures

Identifier

Source

OH-VOA M66 Wi

Language

English

Relation

References: VOA Robert and Ann MacPherson Oral History ; VOA Anthony Lord Oral History ; VOA Larry Holt Oral History

Coverage

Acquisition

Donor number: 146 ;  Date of acquisition: 1998

Processed By

Dorothy Joynes, Ruth Beard and staff

Interview Date

Interview Location

Biography

List of names

[1/50] Barber, Bob
[1/332] [1/409] Ellington, Douglas
[2/482] Gaines, Charles
[1/500] [2/411] Holt, Larry
[1/357] Hoyle, James "Red"
[2/162] Jefferson, Thomas
[1/101] Kahn, Louis
[1/147] King, Bertram "Bert"
[1/151] [1/425] Lord, Anthony " Tony"
[2/411] MacPherson, Ann
[2/411] MacPherson, Robert
[1/50] Mathews, Dean
[1/455] Mathews, Richard
[1/278] McGuire, Roger
[1/455] Parker, Mary
[2/549] Reed, Helen
[1/315] Rogers, John
[1/147] Sappenfield, Charles "Charlie"
[1/357] Sherrill, Mr.
[1/101] [1/409] [2/162] Wright, Frank Lloyd

Side 1:

[8] He had always wanted to come to Asheville to live. Came in 1963 from a small town 144 miles away after graduating from Chapel Hill and being employed in City Planning.

[22] There had been no growth in Asheville for the prior decade and he took a calculated risk as an architect.

[30] He cooperated with city planners on the Model City plans without charge and the work was not valued. He later did additional planning and worked on public housing, working with the Mountainside Apartments.

[50] He worked on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the bathhouse at Sliding Rock.  [Bob Barber, Dean Mathews]

[75] Even prior to the Civil War people came to the mountains from Florida and are still coming, though air conditioning in the South has made this less of a necessity.

[80] His favorite kind of work is with clients who appreciate architecture as an art. With a group project he looks for a common ground.

[101] He considers himself part of the organic architectural movement where structures are in harmony with nature. The Unitarian Universalist Church is his favorite construction. [Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Kahn]

[134] He was given the Environmental Award for his house and the AIA Honors Award for the rest area on the Biltmore Estate.

[147] He worked with several other architects until 1965 when he opened on his own. [Charles "Charlie" Sappenfield, J. Bertram "Bert" King]

[151] The busses may be moved from Pritchard Park to Aston Park. He likes the activity outside his office and appreciates the trees. [Tony Lord]

[162] He considers the setback on the National Bank "user friendly."

[172] In Italy he studied public spaces and hopes that downtown Asheville will be lively again. Pack Place is a big plus. He was chairman of a task force prior to 1976 where a group of architects worked with city planning to improve downtown. Forward '76 adopted the plans when Federal and local funds became available.

[230] He feels we should stop thinking "bigger is better." Downtown is the heart of the city and will remain so, despite the malls.

[253] The Grove Arcade could make a comeback as a Public Market. If there is a demand for parking, space appears.

[278] Pack Place was funded by both private and public finances. He has not worked directly with McGuire but considers him very capable and a tremendous asset to the city. [Roger McGuire]

[315] The Haywood Park Hotel renovation was a tremendous success. The atrium of the hotel is an enclosed mall. [John Rogers]

[332] He hated to see the S & W close. He misses the food and admires the architecture. He discusses Ellington's house - a log cabin, English cottage and salvaged material from City Hall - all with an art deco flavor. [Douglas Ellington]

[357] There have been several plans for renovating the S & W. Many organizations were "born" there. [Mr. Sherrill, James "Red" Hoyle]

[409] He discusses Ellington's work. Many renderings were not realized. Only 500 of the 1000 designs by Wright were built. The Depression stopped construction. [Douglas Ellington, Frank Lloyd Wright]

[425] He has seen a strong and widespread interest in the quality of life in the city. [Tony Lord]

[440] The Depression was the greatest factor in saving old buildings. They were used, recycled and reused.

[455] Many old buildings in Montford are being restored and the Preservation Society is actively working throughout the city. Richmond Hill was moved and restored. The old Patton House (95 Chestnut St.) was out in the country when built. There is an ongoing controversy in Montford regarding the need for shops and services, in the area. [Richard Mathews, Mary Parker]

[500] Land is being acquired in Montford and offered to private developers. He designed the recreation center and said that "a gym is a big elephant to hide." He discusses his treatment of wood and cement. [Larry Holt]

[583] He would like to write a book about the traces of a regional style in the city.

Side 2:

[2/7] There is an integrity in the community. In the 20's brick, which was local and economical, came from the same source which gave the city a unity. He designed the Givens Estate and applied the sense of unity in the cottages.

[2/54] He served on the Planning and Zoning board that preceded the 2010 plan. The Downtown Commission, appointed by the city council, reviews plans, and gives advice but has no authority.

[2/74] Grove Park Inn (the original part) is a fine architectural example, along with Seeley's Castle and Zealandia. There are some "gems" and some "semi-precious" examples.

[2/116] He would like to see terraces and retaining walls integrated with the land, cluster housing with parkland and trees surrounding. He favors native material - wood, stone and plaster.

Re: Unitarianism-

[2/162] He was brought up a Methodist and, when he lived in Raleigh, attended a Baptist church but dropped out. When he discovered his two heroes were Unitarian he wanted to know more about it. This led him to the Unitarian church in 1963 on Vermont Ave. where 30-50 adults were meeting and talking about building a church. [Frank Lloyd Wright, Thomas Jefferson]

[2/211] Sometimes clients and architects can be adversarial but this was no problem. Everyone assumed he would do the job. Many hours were spent in projecting future needs. How can 30-40 people build a church for 100-200? (there are 450 now).

[2/231] There were fund drives and a piece of land was donated. In 1971 the first phase was finished and the adult attendance jumped to 200. The building was instrumental in contributing to the growth. He considers this one of the best groups he has ever worked with.

[2/288] The church was built in stages. Originally a spiral stair from the Religious Education department to the social hall was planned but it was decided that parents should go to their children rather than have young ones in and out.

[2/313] One member wanted a "conventional" church and called a special meeting at his house - he had seen the model and said the roof had a "sawtooth, unsightly cupola" but no one agreed with him.

[2/411] He describes the plans for expansion and the model shown to the congregation. [Ann and Robert MacPherson, Larry Holt]

[2/464] He considers the location is good as it extends into the community, is very visible and is used by many groups. There is parking on a lot across the street which the owner has given him permission to use.  Most people do not know this.

[2/482] A visiting representative from the Boston headquarters urged the congregation to adopt two services and/or start another church. This is being discussed. [Charles Gaines]

[2/549] The interior color scheme decision is discussed. [Helen Reed]

Thanks.

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