Hi Folks! Here is a peek at where we will be today and tomorrow at the AHBA Parade of Homes. Stop by and see Amanda, Brandon, Kelly and myself to learn more about this home by Red Tree Builders and others we have coming. Cheers!
Daily we receive inspirational feeds from various design and quality lifestyle sources. Here is something from our dezeen online feed that we particularly enjoyed. We found great integrity in how the designer chose to work with simple forms and play off context. Enjoy the article here. Cheers!
"Omar Gandhi Architect just completed its latest house, which sits on Nova Scotia's rugged coastline. We've therefore rounded up five of the Canadian firm's residential projects, all designed to maximize their dramatic settings and create cosy escapes from harsh weather."
One of our favorite more recently designed and built homes is the one above by our friends at Samsel Architects. We love seeing WNC homes getting national design attention along with everything else we have to offer. Check out the online article HERE from our dezeen feed. Congrats!
— Kelly and Troy
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.
Jean Prouve | The Pioneer of Prefabrication
Jean Prouvé’s house in Nancy is a simple structure that the architect (1901 – 1984) built for his family. A self-taught engineer and architect — nicknamed “the archetypal builder” by Le Corbusier — Prouvé was constantly attracted to innovative materials. It was his fascination with cars, planes and rockets that pushed Prouvé to manufacture houses in such a technical and rational way, as one would for industrial products. In his designs, the economy of space, work and materials is continuously maximized to find quick and affordable shelter and housing solutions.
For the rest of the article and the 24 minute video go here. Happy Sunday!
Here is a progress peek at Roost's latest project under construction near UNCA where infill lots have been snatched up over the past year. We love how the opposing wood and metal volumes define interior and exterior living spaces much like the lower level parking court is carved out of the earth and defined by concrete.
Looking forward to a more detailed tour soon. Nice job David!
Having just completed the foundation topped by finished concrete floors, builder Greg McGuffey sent us this photo of the framing going up today on his latest modern, shed style home under construction in West Asheville.
We are excited to watch the progress on this cool and quality home having brought builder and buyer together.
Cheers!
— Kelly and Troy
Kelly and I toured this 70's contemporary home on Saturday with a couple of our modern clients. It has long been one of our favorites sitting just out of reach in the hills north of Grove Park Inn. The efficient home didn't disappoint given it's layered, experiential layout connecting private gardens, to living spaces to treetops and the Asheville city view beyond.
The architect, William Moore, originally built the home for himself and his wife in 1973. It was then constructed for $42,000. Moore was the designer for the Unitarian Church on Charlotte St near the Grove Park Inn.Southern Living Magazine originally published the design and plans of the home. 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.
Recently Published on Dwell Online
Once again I found more quality Asheville design work featured in DWELL online. Just recently there was a brief on the Aleph house by SAI Design. To see the recent post go here. Browsing through it reminded me of the personal tour that Kelly and I went on with designers Michael and Elihu back in late 2011. It inspired me review the article I had first featured on the home and decided to reshare today. Enjoy it and enjoy your beautiful Sunday. Cheers!
January 2012 Article on Modern Asheville
“The only place on earth where all places are --- seen from every angle, each standing clear, without any confusion or blending”
The above quote was written by Jorge Luis Borges regarding the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and is our starting point in viewing the development of this thoughtful new home resting just below Town Mountain Road co-created by SAI Design and the adventurous owners. While there are many grounded realities that go into a sophisticated construction as this, equally, there are abstract notions that layer in meaning and spirit that give this home a rich, rooted history long before moving day arrives.
The Aleph is a silent letter quietly representing strength, humility, creation and the first breath. Placed on the site it represents where the topographical elevations of the earth meets the air coming up the hill. It is the point where the two distinctly marry.
The owners, a married couple, also bring together the two distinct elements of wood and clay. Both craftsmen, one is a woodworker while the other a potter. Wood and earth are mixed in and help shape the spatial organization of this home. The upper volume contains the more public “living” spaces is light, clad in wood and adjusts its angles to the views and to embrace the energy of the sun. Dramatically, it cantilevers out into space supported by the lower volume that hugs tightly to the earth. This volume clad in stucco and cement board houses the “private” spaces including studios and bedrooms. As you walk around the house, Jorge’s notion of the Aleph becomes clear. This was a place on earth where all places are represented, seen from every angle and remain clear of confusion.
This artful, architectural stew was expertly guided and stirred over a period of two years by Michael Silverman and Elihu Siegman of SAI Design. Given plenty of simmer time, the rich design evolved organically working back and forth from client to architect and from careful thought and functionality to artistic intuition. While your average builder might look at the specific site, common to Asheville, and see its limitations and standard outcome this team saw it as a creative springboard for achieving something unique. The home is a balance of being nestled into the hillside to minimize the visual impact while cantilevered to minimize the impact on the ground. Trees from the site were recycled into the house mill work and floors, not uncommon to resource minded mountain dwellers of Asheville. For me, part of the strength of the home lies in its founding design principles of being site specific in both layout and materials. The notion is explained above, however you simply have to experience the house to know that it just feels right.
The home is 3100 sq.ft with three bedrooms (one bunk room for multiple guests) and three baths. Both the private and public entry is on the main level anchored by a generous storage, utility and laundry area. Beyond is the great room which is dramatic and simple featuring custom crafted details in wood and concrete.
My favorite spot is standing at the top of the stairs where you can view the entire restful and rhythmic living space while at the same time uncover clues about the rest of the house thru inviting views down corridors in two directions and down the Escher-like stairs to the lower level. The generous landing area on the lower level neighbors a media room with built-ins flanked by the owners studios with indoor-outdoor work spaces at either end.
Overall, the Aleph House makes sense with its carefully crafted and functional layout. Like the Aleph, it has a humility in its simple, shaker-like utility. Yet, it is layered with quiet sophistication that makes it rich without ever having to know why. The quality home will undoubtedly endure generations of both well grounded and inspired inhabitants and Asheville will benefit from a richer compost of thoughtful modern design. Great job guys!
Photos by David Dietrich
I happened to be showing a property to one of our clients yesterday when I found myself in front of this beauty in the Grovewood Park neighborhood of Asheville. It is one of our team's favorites, but I don't often get to drive by it. NC Modernist Homes confirms it is a Bert King designed home. It is a few blocks away from Bert's own 1950's home on Country Club drive. Tax records show this one was built in 1954 for Ray and Francella Poston. The home is approximately 1958 sqft with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths with a rare flat roof. The home's original landscape was designed by Doan Ogden.
Cheers!