First Beaverbrook

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11 Beaverbrook Comp

Sale Price: $617,500Size: 3115 SQFTFeatures: 4 Beds + 3.5 Baths + View Beaverbrook is a wonderful and wandering, hillside street on top of Lakeview Park. Developed in the 50's and 60's, there are significant ranch homes, a few seriously atomic, that offer simple living in a great location provided you have the right vision. Mike Barton saw that in expertly recreating this home for himself. From a 50's ranch he carved out a clean and light filled home with great volume and comfortable flow. From my experience, it is a house that steps back, opens up and let's you live your life the way you want to. It is not just sophisticated in its styling, but in the mindful editing to do more with less. Just the way I like it.A few details I liked most: The cool front door. The sleek kitchen cabinetry with quartz countertops. Large floor to ceiling pocket doors to every room. Room expanding private patios off bedrooms for California style living.  A well lit master closet where you can both view everything at your fingertips and can host a dance party.Listing agent, Clary McCall, describes it - "Totally remodeled contemporary home in desirable Lakeview Park. This 4/3.5 has a huge master bedroom suite and closet. Tons of updates to include all new Bosch chef's kitchen with quartz countertops, luxury baths, designer paints, hardwoods, porcelain tiles, etc. Other updates include total electrical, plumbing, roof, gutters, HVAC and more. Gas fireplace in living room. Great downstairs inlaw suite or office. Nice downtown views." For a more complete visual tour click here. I couldn't end without reminding you that simple and modern style living in Asheville can be accomplished by starting with one of our many ranch homes. There is an abundance in wonderful neighborhoods such as Lakeview Park waiting to fulfill their more modernist destiny with thoughtful design guidance. Take a drive and see for yourself or allow me to arrange a tour.

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Diag Comp

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Overall Comp

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“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. Take a look.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!Happy New Year to all!Article by Troy Winterrowd, most photos by David Dietrich

Appalachian State University's Prize Winner I came across this video searching for information on ASU's solar homestead project that they entered into the U.S.Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon. The team won the People's Choice award at the event. The project is a modern day version of a pioneer settler's home of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy! Buildapedia's Video of ASU's Solar Entryhttp://youtu.be/vyie7oTzUi0

A Season and Reason for Modernism The thanksgiving break allowed me the time to catch up on some modernist inspiration. Watching the film on Julius Shulman was first on the list. It was the kick in the pants I needed to start off a long winter season reflecting on my efforts here. The film captures a good portion of 20th century modernism in the states. Listening to these thoughtful architects reminded me of a recent conversation I had with local Siegman Associates and the thinking behind their latest construction on Town Mountain Rd. As a revival of modern thought and construction sweeps the world this home represents a foundation of site specific modern design that could take deeper root in Asheville and the region. If you haven't seen this film it is time to do so. Happy Holiday![youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6JzyCj-Pbk]

Midland Comp

Yesterday, I took a moment, along with Kelly, to tour a favorite mid-century home in Lakeview Park during a broker hosted open house. As I have written about this sophisticated home previously, I wanted to simply offer a few quick snaps for you. The home provides a great, open backdrop for the owner's art collection. Enjoy!

Bower House Overall Comp

Bower House Interiors Comp

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Sale Price: $1,610,000 Size: 3516 sqftAmenities: 4 Beds + 3.5 Baths + View Great to see that this house recently sold up at Ciel this year. Below is from a past article I had written on it in 2011.The Bower House The Bower House is in punch list phase of completion and I was fortunate enough to get a little tour yesterday from the listing agent. The 3516 sq/ft. home encompasses 4 bedrooms and 3.5 Baths and is currently listed at $1,595,000. Overall, the two things I like the most about this speculative designer home is the scale and the way it sits on the lot. Hunter Paul Coffey of Blowing Rock designed the contemporary home and is savvy to dramatic mountain settings. The house comfortably takes advantage of both the slope and the dramatic view, offering some indoor/outdoor living options including a retractable wall that slides open to allow for an additional outdoor living room with fireplace.Interior Designer, Talli Roberts, chose interior materials that warmly blended the mountain and modern aesthetic. Constructed by Cottonwood, it is a very solid, livable mountain home that blends with its mountain environment without overstating itself and wisely bucks the trend of massive living spaces. I think its a high quality home for this moment that will only get better with age and patina.

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Thanks to my friend and fellow mid-century enthusiast, Steven Chicurel, and his savvy scrapbooking skills I am recreating this article from the Asheville Citizen Times for their House of the Week. I immediately recognized the home as 4 Crowningway which I have toured. The plans and windows have been modified slightly from what was published. Notice the images from the original article in the 60's and a few of my photos from two years past when this cool pad was on the market. Following is the original article. Realtor's take note on some past room lingo! Angled Styling Features Raised Ranch The split entry or raised ranch is a favorite with architects and home buyers who like a style that permits considerable flexibility of design.Architect Rudolph A. Matern has utilized this available flexibility in his latest creation for House of the Week. Contemporary styling takes over in this unusual home, with the right side turned at an angle for dramatic effect, yet with no loss of practicality for gracious, large family living. It is impossible to view this house, either from the outside or the inside without being impressed by the striking placement of its components.Although its over-all dimensions are a modest 71' 2" by 36' 3", it is a five-bedroom, three bath house with an amazing 2977 square feet of living area, not including a spacious deck porch, two other porches and the two-car garage.  And because of the raised ranch design, the lower level -- with its huge family-recreation room, two bedrooms, a batha nd a laundry room -- is higher than a basement, has larger windows and gets more sunlight.The boldness of design applies to more than the angles plane. Note the impressive front entrance, with glass squares surrounding the door; the prow-shaped deck porch; the similarly-shaped living room with almost an entire wall of sliding glass; and the upper level reception hall, excellent as  a guest introduction area. And see how the garage is invisible from the front, its two windows blending in perfectly with the rest of the house. The circulation is good and well-controlled from the flag-stone foyer to either level. An open balcony at the stairs adds a touch of elegance. Besides the previously-mentioned 18 feet of sliding glass, the living room has a large fireplace just off the reception hall. From this area it is easy to move out to the large deck porch at the front or, through the dining room, to the smaller deck porch at the rear, also accessible through sliding glass doors. The living room ceiling is the cathedral type which follows the underside of the rafters.What lady could resist a kitchen 20 feet long, with every conceivable modern appliance? And there's a curved wall at the second stairs in the house around which another open balcony is designed. The master bedroom has a bath and shower, a walk-in closet, two other closets and a handy vanity section.  Another bath is conveniently located between to two other bedrooms.  There are two linen closets in the hall.Two more bedrooms are on the not-so-lower level, with a third bath nearby. The family that lives in this house will never lack for plenty of recreation space. Not only is the family-recreation room a whopping 26' by 19', but there is an additional relaxation or what-have-you area on the adjoining sunken porch. A large storage room also adjoins the recreation room.The two-car garage is wide enough to include a workshop and two separated storage areas. All in all, Design H-54 must be considered a house with plenty of space for a large family as as one with extra special styling.

Outside In House

R2S, a design collaboration of Asheville residents Peyton Shumate, Lindsey Rhoden and Thad Rhoden, submitted a 1600sf modern residence design named The Outside(In) House for the Who's Next 2.0 Design Competition. This competition is hosted by FreeGreen, an online business devoted to promoting more modern and energy efficient stock plans. Announced on Monday, The Outside(In) House placed in the top 50, of over 400+ design entries. If one of the top 3, R2S will be paid to complete the house plans that will then be available for purchase at www.freegreen.com.Peyton Shumate and Lindsey Rhoden work for PBC+L Architecture and Thad Rhoden works for Architectural Design Studio, both downtown firms. "Design competitions are fun. They allow the creative freedom that most client-based projects do not and also give the three of us an opportunity to work together. If we are able to make this project a reality, that's even better!", says Lindsey. The three architects were classmates at Clemson University.Architects of Western North Carolina have had luck with this competition in the past. In the spring of 2010, the Who's Next 1.0 Competition 1st Place winner was Asheville architect Daryl Rantis, and R2S (Rhoden, Rhoden & Shumate) placed in the top 12. The unique aspect about this competition is that the winners are determined by judging and also public vote.To see the design and vote, go to: http://www.freegreen.com/WhosNext/view/plan-general.aspx?id=639. Voting ends January 29, 2011. Please note: a confirmation link in an email will come from FreeGreen to validate your vote.For more on R2S - check out www.sparcdesign.wordpress.com

Leicester Comp 01

Liecester Comp 02

Leicester House by SPG ArchitectsThis hilltop residence, located at the edge of a wooded knoll in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Moutains, has expansive southern and western views.  Approaching through the woods, one arrives at a one-story facade of corten steel framed by wood.  A hint of the views is provided through the glass door, but it is not unitl the entry that the full impact of the hilltop views can be experienced.  The south and west glass walls open to rolling farmland velow and the mountains beyond.  The entry level serves as the primary living area, with a guest wing carved into the hilltop below.  The house is functional, energy efficient and visually inspiring.  The greening of the house complements its visual warmth, grounding the modern structure in its rural landscape.For more information and environmental details on this modern addition to the Asheville landscape please Click Here!Asheville Design Center Wednesday, Oct 13 at 6pm - "Eric Gartner of SPG Architects will discuss the firm's local work in green building.  Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with sweeping views across majestic landscape, SPG Architects' Leicester House serves both as a solitary retreat and a generous space for entertaining. SPG's work clearly presents a visual consistency based on human proportions, the exploration of light, and the judicious use of materials that provide singular tactile, visual, spatial and temporal experiences. Two external crises that unfolded during design and construction encouraged the client to turn Leicester House into a model of energy efficiency. In response to a severe drought, rainwater collection was incorporated along with geothermal energy use, energy efficient lighting, automatic sun shading and reclaimed furniture. When the economic crisis squeezed budgets and ruled out an infinity pool, plans were adapted to create a green 'infinity' roof instead."Text and Photos by SPG Architects

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Mark Allison comp

One of the things I feel strongly about is the need for interesting infill housing and mixed use buildings to better serve the residents of our community.  Mark Allison is always exploring these issues.  I was excited to see his design for this duplex/mixed use style dwelling.  As a realtor I have many clients looking for such properties to either lower their initial investment, to share common spaces and/or to gain some return on their investment.  Here is what Mark has to say about his design strategy."Infill housing strengthens the urban core so that we are not forced to use our cars to get from place to place. This 6,500 square foot prototype is shown on a ¼ acre semi-urban lot, but can be adapted for zero lot line situations. The front of the building can house a business or a cafe, enhancing the experience of the street. Automobile and bicycle storage is provided in the rear of the building. The two dwelling units feature open living, dining, and kitchen areas with a powder room on the middle level. Two bedrooms with private baths along with a private porch are located on the top level. Some other green features include solar water heating, rainwater collection, and energy efficient construction."Images courtesy of Mark Allison