2011 started out similar to the previous few years, but quietly came roaring to life as it nudged into 2012. A few realtor friends said it was one of their better years, but they had to work  extra, extra, extra hard for it. As far as contemporary homes are concerned we had a few special ones swap owners this year. Here is a brief look at some notable ones.

In general, all shapes and sizes of homes found new owners in 2011 while some still remain on the market or have been pulled. The issue for the modern to contemporary home buyer in Asheville is lack of inventory. A good, open, one-level contemporary home of modest size with a view isn’t around every corner as seen in my version of heaven. Kelly Erin-Spinney, realtor for Real Living, knows having previously worked real estate in both Florida and California that today’s homebuyer is looking for less – not more. She states, “They are looking for their open and zen mountain retreat which opposes what builders were building in the past ten years. Times have changed.” I know from my own clients that if I could find spaces that live like an urban loft, but exist privately in nature I might have a chance of retiring.

This January seems to be one of the most active on record in our own office. Kelly and I have witnessed a few contemporary’s being snatched up just before showings. Specializing in Modern, we have a back order of simple and clean buyers looking for the same polished diamond among the rustic.

This vintage gem near Biltmore Lake was on the market for five months and just went under contract to the disappointment of our buyers. A 1972 contemporary with 3 Beds + 2.5 Baths listed for $349,000. Sweet!

Buyers- you may have to be patient or creative (ranch remodel?) to find or create the one, but don’t expect bargains. The interesting tidbit for all bargain hunters out there waiting to make half price offers: on average these homes sold for 94.7% of listing price. Yes, you heard me! I did the math myself and admit it put a crack in my jaded shell. Which means – it is time to make that deal and get on with your life here in Asheville.

Here is a sweet, little mid-century built in 1965 on 2 acres in Fairview. Currently, listed for $295,000 it has 3 Beds + 2.5 Baths in over 2600 sqft with an extra workshop building.

Sellers – get your homes to 2012 standards. Even with little inventory buyers still want something up-to-date or a clear understanding of what it will take to get there. Make it easy for them. We all know buyers have been nervous about the unknown future which means they don’t care to add on the unknown expenses of bringing a home up to date at this stage in life. Sure – buyers like charm. But you can sit there on your charm as it often comes via Home Depot into inadequate spaces with lots of fresh air (drafts). Do something. Bring in an expert, listen and follow through. [ I often bring in Katie Rice from Bellwether Builders for both my buyer and seller clients. Having built contemporary homes, remodeled ranches she can provide some consulting from a range of $85 to $250 to look at a home and give you some ideas and costs. I know many architects, including Mark Allison offer consultations. ]

Yes, it’s been a rough few years. But as predicted by the Mayans, 2012 is shaking and speeding things up. So, let’s all soften into our yoga matts (insert uji breath), ease our resistance and drive one-handed into our Subaru future. Isn’t that why we are here — in Asheville?

After World War II, The US Government had an interest in creating new housing for returning servicemen. Carl Strandlund obtained a government loan to produce homes of steel with porcelain coated exterior panels, steel framing and steel interior walls and ceiling. He founded the Lustron Corporation and built approximately 2,498 Lustron Homes in a former  aircraft plant in Columbus OHIO.

The Lustron homes were designed to be maintenance free, cost approximately $7,000, and were produced in 1949 and 1950.  These homes were considered to be three times stronger than a traditional stick built home and were advertised as being rodent proof, fire proof , lightening proof, and rustproof.

Tomorrow, I am touring this charming home. It is located in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Beverly Hills, and listed for $150,000. I hope to encourage a fan to buy and preserve this unique home.

Here is how the listing agent describes it. “Retro fans – this is the one for you! RARE Lustron home, only two in Asheville. This is a post WW II cottage, steel construction with porcelain enamel covering steel tiles. Talk about sustainable! No air ducts so it’s perfect for those with allergies; heated by radiant ceiling. Lustron homes are fading from American neighborhoods and it’s hard to find one in the original condition, but this one has original builtins and floorplan!”

Want to know more about Lustron homes go to www.lustronconnection.org

Just a quick follow up to say that the tour was great. The house is 99% intact. Thanks to Sandra for bringing to the publics attention and hosting people from the Historic Preservationists. I so wish I could live here and write more on Modern Asheville.

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

MLS# 506650

Size: 3300 sqft

3 Bedrooms  2.5 Baths 

Price $597,000

Kelly and I recently listed this clean and relaxing contemporary home that is super private. It has a true “zen” quality to it for a wonderful escape and relaxed lifestyle.

Handsome, peaceful contemporary with distant views of the Mountains, Beaverlake & beyond. Custom kitchen with stainless steel Bosch appliances, granite counter tops & glass backsplash. Master on main with wood burning fireplace, master bath & office. 2nd level – Family room with wood stove, craft/library & 2 bedrooms with jack & jill baths. Level drive and easy access to Town Mountain and Parkway. Quiet, clean and care-free.

For questions or a private tour of the home call Kelly at 828-333-8830.

To see the Virtual Tour Click Here!

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 Entry

I wanted to take a moment to give my kudos to all those involved in this project. A wonderful grass roots local project worth highlighting. See this article by Bridgette Meinhold of Inhabitat. Enjoy!

A hearty THANK YOU!

Troy

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!

Local Architect Brandon Pass and I had the chance to sit down over coffee at City Bakery last week and enjoy a mutual, academic exchange on architecture in Asheville and the incredible potential that exists here for a new vocabulary of building that combines modern design thought with the rich natural and social landscape of our region. We both noted instances where that has successfully surfaced, but recognized that most construction stems from what is known or copied without further thought or context involved. However, I easily got sidetracked from my intention here, which is to simply introduce you to Brandon today. You will hear more from him in the future as I have asked him to become a regular contributor to Modern Asheville. Below is content from his website and a link.

Brandon Pass is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universities College of Architecture and Urban Studies where he received his Bachelor of Architecture in 1997. Since, he has worked in top-level design firms in locations such as South Carolina, Chicago, and New York City and holds licenses to practice architecture in Illinois, New York and North Carolina.

Brandon creates an architecture practice striving to merge modern sensibilities and detailing with the vernacular influences of the region.  His small, multidisciplinary practice pursues an architecture that recognizes the responsibilities of the built form where environmental, social and contextual factors shape each insertion into a given landscape. Architecture should seek to express a given function through a strong clarity of space and form where the details become expressive and exploratory, respecting the hand of the maker while expressing a connection to a greater whole.  The responsibility of the architect, in part, is to be aware of all factors of a given context that may inform the design process. It requires an extensive knowledge of and desire to learn new methodologies creating architecture of the highest quality respectful of both time and place.

You’ll be hearing more about Brandon Pass in the future, but in the meantime feel free to browse his website.

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.