We have been discussing this type of home for years given the need for smaller, smarter homes that live like a loft for both retirees and other couples living smaller. People are living differently and Asheville, for the most part, doesn't have the homes that meet those needs. We would say the home featured in this article and video successfully captures what many people are looking for today.

Susan and Charles Elder’s roots run deep in their neighborhood outside of downtown Houston. They moved into a starter house there in 1981, just six houses around the corner from the house Susan grew up in. Now after raising their kids and retiring they've built this amazing dream home.

tn

tn-1

A budget-conscious, urban home in Asheville designed by architect Daryl Rantis will be featured in the October/November issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine.The home in the Chicken Hill neighborhood west of downtown was designed with a strict budget to meet the needs of downsized, contemporary lifestyles. The article about the home, “Small & Tall,” shows that despite a tiny lot and a tight budget, the little house can rise to the occasion. The urban feel of the vertical home was specifically designed to appeal to a modern sensibility and fit on a small lot, according to Rantis, the Director of Design at Green Hammer in Portland, Ore., a design/build construction company. Rantis took the position in July after practicing seven years in Asheville. He is still connected to Western North Carolina through an association with Alembic Studio.The style of the house is a fusion of modern and Craftsman, reflecting the contemporary lifestyles of city dwellers while paying respect to the architecture and cultural heritage of Asheville with its rich tradition of highly detailed architecture. Details of the home are more typical of Craftsman-style houses, which are traditionally known for their intricate finishes.The Fine Homebuilding article focuses on the home’s small footprint. The three-story design uses less foundation (concrete) and less roofing (metal), two materials used for their longevity but which are also carbon intensive. The small footprint of the building still allows a reasonable amount of square footage, about 1,500. The interior is appointed with minimalist trim details and modern cabinetry that breaks from the traditional Craftsman. Wood beams and floors in the living areas give it a clean, yet warm interior. Interiors were styled by Asheville artist Denise Legendre of Denuci Design. The skin of the building, made from cement fiber panels, reduces the amount of wood and maintenance. It is contrasted with the use of locally harvested cypress for its warmth and beauty.The neighborhood’s proximity to downtown, the River Arts District and public transportation allows private, detached home ownership in an urban area. A family could live in the home with less dependence on a car. Built and developed by Bill MacCurdy of Sun Construction in 2009, it is designed to be part of a six-building cluster.Photos by J. Weiland Photography

North Griffing Interior Photo

W. Moore - Cont. Cabin

A Minimal Home for a Local Architect Southern Living Magazine published the design and plans of this home designed by local architect William O. Moore.  The house was originally constructed for him and his wife on North Griffing Blvd. in 1973 and was constructed for $42,000. Following, publication he sold plans to many others who wanted to create this simple living space for themselves. The home showcases one of his signature design features of a dominate roof. He told me, "Roofs are traditionally cheaper to maintain and replace." So he dedicates maximum square footage to the roof in containing interior spaces.More information on the history and designs of Bill Moore coming in the future.

Sevier Ext. Comp

This clever new infill house near UNCA is a 4 bedroom and 3 bath home efficiently tucked into 1600 sq/ft of living space. While the interior is very smooth and light the exterior is skinned with heavy rough hewn wood and steel.  If you want a house with a low maintenance exterior this modernist cabin is bound to provide generations of easy living here in the mountains.  It has everything, but a pair of antlers hanging on the front!  The house is listed for $315,000.