Jon A. Condoret

Jon Andre Condoret passed away on Sunday, August 8, 2010, in Fearrington Village near Pittsboro.
Jon was born in Algiers, Algeria on September 5, 1934. Jon studied in Paris at l’Ecole Speciale d’Architecture, where he finished second in a national contest for architecture students. In 1956 he met the love of his life, Joany Earle, an American studying art at the Sorbonne. They married in 1957, and moved to Chapel Hill in 1962.
Despite knowing little English, Jon passed the difficult architecture licensing exam on the first try. He also proudly achieved American citizenship. He began working with Archie Royal Davis in Durham, and later worked with Don Stewart at City Planning and Architectural Associates in Chapel Hill before starting his own practice. His years on Chapel Hill’s Appearance Commission helped protect the town’s beauty and charm from over-commercialization.
Jon was a brilliant architect who drew beautifully. He could sketch perspectives upside down for clients sitting across the table—a feat that amazed many. Jon was remarkably versatile. Known for his striking modernist houses, he also excelled in many other styles. His motto was, “You must give the clients what they want.” The phrase “a Jon Condoret-designed home” is still prized in the Triangle housing market.
He worked for many years as Chief Architect of Fearrington Village for his dear friend R.B. Fitch, and his designs for the village and neighborhoods drew national acclaim.
Jon’s talent, his obvious dedication to overachieving for his clients, and his delightful personality and charming accent, all resulted in a highly appreciative clientele.
Kindly, cultured and humorous, Jon was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. He mentored his daughter Arielle (also an architect), flew to Denver to help design his nephew Chris’ house renovation, and hand made wooden furniture and toys for his grandchildren in his workshop. He was an excellent cook who treated his family to a true Algerian couscous feast every Easter.
Jon loved working to the music of Billie Holiday and Mozart. He relaxed by watching football, NASCAR, The New Yankee Workshop, or This Old House. When the Condorets lived on a 140-acre farm near Siler City, Jon enjoyed tending a flock of heirloom chickens. Most of all, harking back to his childhood pleasure of fishing every day in the Mediterranean Sea, Jon enjoyed fishing off the North Carolina coast.
Remarkably generous, Jon (with Joany) donated 84 acres of their farmland to the Triangle Land Conservancy before they moved into a home of Jon’s design in Fearrington Village.
Jon is survived by Joany, his beloved wife of 53 years; his daughters, Arielle Schechter of Chapel Hill, NC,; mother Lucienne Condoret of Vernon, France; brother Jacques Condoret of Pittsboro, NC; brother Pierre Condoret of Vernon, France; brother Claude Condoret of Nice, France; son-in-law Arnold Schechter, whom he considered a true son; niece Nathalie Condoret of Pittsboro, NC, who was of special help during his illness; and many other beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He leaves a tremendous void that will never be filled.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Jon’s honor be made to protect the North Carolina coast that Jon treasured. Please give to the NC Coastal Federation, 3609 Highway 24 (Ocean), Newport, NC 28570, or at www.nccoast.org.
A memorial service will be announced this fall.