Hi Folks! We are only a few days away from our 2nd Annual Modern Home Tour. If you haven't purchased your tickets please go here. You can, also, come to our social the night before and we will help you get tickets. In the meantime here is a quick peek at what is in store for you. You don't want to miss it. Cheers!
The Barnard house by Form and Function Architecture captures the expansive views of the Blue Ridge Parkway to the north and creates a secluded rear buffer. The house is a modern example of a traditional southern archetype of the dog-trot, with the primary sleeping and living areas divided by an entry vestibule.
The Butler Mountain home by Wilson Architects was conceived as an “L” shaped plan that hides the three car garage and defines the entrance courtyard. Landscaping and a fountain frame the entry path which leads to an all glass foyer. The foyer immediately highlights the mountains beyond and is equipped with pocketing doors that open to a gathering porch. All of the interior living spaces were designed to open to the exterior with large expanses of sliding glass. In the living room, doors fully pocket behind the fireplace to give an unobstructed view, and in the kitchen, doors open to a covered cooking and dining porch. The program required two main level master bedroom suites which are situated at either end of this central living and kitchen area.
The Nantahala Mountain home by Bach Design Studio is a mix of minimalistic detailing juxtaposing raw wood, against white walls with tall glass panes, and simple furnishings gives this rustic contemporary home its character. Terraces which surround it create a platform for multiple outdoor leisure spaces sheltered from the weather and with gorgeous views. The spaces weave in and out, framing panoramic views of the mountains and lake to blur the boundaries between inside and outside. This unique house brings back memories of the owners’ home living in Denmark and Atlanta by joining two living and building traditions into an experience.
The Dunkirk residence by Wilson Architects was built on a steep infill lot in the Kenilworth neighborhood of Asheville. The slope was circumvented with a 9’ wide pedestrian bridge that accesses the entrance. Glass entry doors open to the living space and double height windows frame the view of the trees behind the house. Additional bedrooms and living space are on the lower level, which walks out to wooded trails to the south of the home. The exterior is clad in stucco with shiplap wood siding accents around the entry. The steel floor framing is exposed throughout the main level, giving the home a slight industrial feel. The white oak floors were made from trees on the site along with several of the wood counters.
The Merrill's Cove by John McDermott features a light space with a floor of polished concrete that sets the stage for gallery style living while absorbing the sun to keep the cool space warm. Rich handcrafted details of ash and oak are used sparingly with plenty of white space to keep the eye uncluttered. The natural beauty of the home veils the mechanics making it near Net Zero in efficiency using both passive and active solar for energy and heating. Further heating and cooling are supported by geothermal heat pump and a wood stove.
Perdue Place by Rusafova-Markulis Architects was design in direct response to site constraints — the home's footprint is restrained by the site's set backs and the windows are carefully placed to frame views of the beautiful city forest. Inside, the home feels like a tree house as the trees around it are just a foot away and the large windows create a powerful connection between exterior and interior. Outside, the rich patina of the corten steel veneer panels blends the house into the lush green of the trees.
The West Chapel by Brickstack Architects was, also, designed in direct response to the extreme conditions imposed by the site. In an effort to both mitigate disturbance to the site as well as create a house that lives primarily on one level, and is easily accessible to the street, the house is entered via a timber and steel bridge. The main body of the house makes generous use of structural steel that cantilevers the structure out over the landscape, allowing the natural site to run freely below the house. Large expanses of glass blur the line between interior space and the tree canopies seemingly mere feet away. To take full advantage of the beautiful natural setting, the house features a dynamic outdoor living porch that is cantilevered 16’ beyond the main living space and 30’ above the landscape. The structural steel is a celebrated and expressive element of the design.