"Can a "bigger than life" luxury home still be eco-savvy? " you ask. Good Question! And you may already know (or think you know) the answer. Size and function matter when you are talking about environmental impact. In fact, size can be quite a lively, if not controversial subject among the eco-savvy tribes.
But as you consider the relationship between size, and "green" remember that "luxury" real estate may come in many shapes and sizes. There are small footprints with three-stories rising in the trees, there are larger footprints set neatly into the landscape.
There are homes sited to take advantage of solar benefits. And, there are those very large homes designed to take advantage of nature, or privacy, or architectural excellence; signature homes that may, in some cases, offer eco-savvy features. I'm going to tell you about one of those cases right now. This story involves an architect some refer to as enlightened.. . .
Alice Dodson, is an architect in Asheville, North Carolina. Her firm's motto is, "Sustainable Design for Healthy and Harmonious Living". Alice, who has an extensive European education in Art and Architecture and has run her own Architectural Design firm since 1991, specializes in non-toxic, energy efficient, solar, and sustainable construction. She has attracted attention for her designs that include energy efficient features even up to proportions worthy of a grand, private equestrian estate. You'll see what I mean as you read on. But back to the question:
"Bigger than life and eco-savvy?" you ask.
Well, let's look at these alternative building methods Alice incorporates in her designs :
- Post and Beam Timber construction
- AAC (Aerated Autoclaved Concrete) building systems
- DURISOL(mineralized woodchip wall form exterior wall system)
- ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) wall system
- SIP (Structural Insulated Panels)
Watching the process as one of her designs comes to (bigger than) life must be thrilling for Alice. Looking at her creations, I become convinced that she has found a better way to build, and that more and more architects and builders will be adopting her eco-savvy principles and extending them into luxury reside
nces.
That's got to be a" good thing" as evidenced in the home designed by Alice that I visited recently. I was on a mission for my relocating clients who absolutely need room for their large family and " two horses they consider to be pets." They need to be close to medical facilities. They demand excellence in design and construction.
With four bedrooms, five full baths an amazingly cozy gourmet kitchen, and library with 28` ceilings, office, exercise room, home theater, wine cellar-humidor room, den, guest suite, radiant floor heat 2 fireplaces, on 6 acres within minutes of downtown and an exquisite building for horses adjacent to a masterfully planned 7,101 square feet, this could be the gem they seek. (Local trends in residential construction --big,custom and/or second vacation mountain homes, and an increasing use of "green" building practices are red hot in Asheville, often ranked in Top Ten Most Desirable Places to Live.)
As I visited with Alice's smiling client, the owner of the above-mentioned residence, I was struck with the flow of the interior design, a sense strength and beauty, the air quality, and the quiet all around me. How glowingly the owner of this home talked about what sustainable innovation means to her. Obviously, she had been involved in the creation of this masterpiece.
"Design matters, " she pointed out. "Besides the materials and construction practices, we enjoy a flexible design that can accommodate a multi-generational family."
Modestly, for it is a wonderful contribution to the community, the owner had not mentioned that her luxury residence also is home to her business about which a writer for a local magazine recently wrote,
"Maybe it's the fact that the . . . horses facilitate personal growth and healing retreats as well as private sessions every 
bit as much, probably more, than their human companions/ facilitators. Or perhaps it's the facility itself--a stunning private green home with many outdoor rooms and a spacious barn equipped with an indoor ...arena).
It could also be the setting, close to the end of a winding private road and halfway up a majestic mountain in north Asheville, with west-facing, long-range mountain views above pasture, surrounded by woods, a stream, and the peaceful sounds of nature. "
Now to my point: I believe that flexible design is a key feature in green-built homes. So when someone asks you,"Can a "bigger than life" luxury home still be eco-savvy?" ask them how the building is to be used.
Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place Greenolina
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janeAnne...
This sounds absolutely heavenly! Thank you for introducing me to this designer. I will be watching her other projects!
~Emily
The San Diego Real Estate Expert
Hi janeAnne - I'm thinking the answer to your question is a resounding YES!! Great pictures of this beautiful home. The links you included provide great resource information - thanks!
Ann
Nice shots as usual, JaneAnne.
Did you see the Realtor magazine article on improving energy efficiency?
Wow, what a palace!
I imagine one could go as green as one wanted to, provided they had the resources to do so..
Obviously, the sellers have the resources! Good for them.
I applaud anyone who is hip to conservation & efficiency. Especially if your home is 7000sf. Could you imagine the waste if it didn't incorporate those advanced features?
OK, you got my attention, but you knew you would. This is a great looking and sounding place, well thought out. So I guess we could quote the saying " an once of prevention is worth a pound of cure?" And a little common and green sense go a long way.
Emily~
The Architect is well-known in the Asheville area. She actually lives her principles ...and it shows in her designs...
Janie~
I was thinking of you when I wrote this piece. YOU would LOVE this place. You would understand the excellence...not only of the residence ...but of the splendid accommodations for the horses...and I don't mean just good food. and clean stalls..I mean accommodations that speak to their "essence"...
The entire place is an equestrian's delight. ...
Barbara Jo~
If you think it looks good as far as the photos go...it's worth a trip up from Florida to see it in person...I would say it is inspiring. . .and not just in the architectural features, but in it's eco-savvy features, too...
Hi Ann~
I asked, " "Can a "bigger than life" luxury home still be eco-savvy?" I agree with you...it can...it takes a great deal of work and consideration to do this...and an architect and an entire team to make it happen. .. Glad you liked my links. Now all y'all need to do is come on down and enjoy all the greenings going on around here in Asheville =)
Jeff~
Thanks for dropping by. Wish you and the family would do it in person in 2008. You would love to see this place!
No I didn't see the article...but I will check it out. THX for the heads-up.
JT~
Very good point!!! You commented, "...I applaud anyone who is hip to conservation & efficiency. Especially if your home is 7000sf. Could you imagine the waste if it didn't incorporate those advanced features?"
Barbara~
It is wonderful to hear/see/read your comments on your home...I will be answering some of Bill's questions (see above comment) with your own words... Thank you for the wisdom to make Your Home a place of respect and wealth of the generous kind.
janeAnne,
Fabulous! Just wonderful...I designed my own eco-savy home in PA...25 years ago...
Great post! Thank you!
Dena~
I am smiling ear-to-ear as I read your comments..."And a little common and green sense go a long way..." As usual, you hit the nail on the head!
Joan~
Another excellent point. You commented, "...It is good to see that these green concepts can be utilized in all types of settings and styles of homes. " In the Greater Asheville area we are seeing this more and more...in fact we are expecting 400+ authentic green homes to be consturcted in our area in 2008...
Bill~
You asked about green features...so I am going to quote the owner/builder of this home... who commented above..saying that this is
The walls, being made of concrete, steel and EPS block (R55+ envelope including the roof) are the highest in efficiency and sustainability possible to reduce the use of more trees in the structural design and limit the fuel consumption over the many years to come.
It didn't cost that much more to build, we contracted it ourselves so it would be done with the best of integrity and products. . ."
I think that Michael's comments make a lot of sense. The people who need the savings the most can't take advantage of it because it is so darn expensive to set up. I've been dying to make my place more green - but it simply costs too much to be practical. And yes, "W" and his friends are probably monitoring your posts and spying on you (and me too.)
The post is wonderful - although I don't "get" the need for supersized homes. Around here it makes housing less affordable because the smaller homes get supersized and we also have a lot of wetlands. Our runoff is being affected by the supersizing in the form of flooding.
janeAnne; you are truly the expert in your field and far ahead of most of us in your environmental efforts and expertise. Thank you for sharing this. And, I remind everyone that you can also preserve bigger homes and buildings while making them green as well!
janeAnne, I'm a believer in "bigger is better" and this house proves my point. When we consider how large the Earth is a few extra thousand square feet is nothing, but it can mean a lot to a fully self-sustaining house.
I wanted to cajole you into entering my contest GOT FEATURES but I see that you have no problem in that area. Congratulations. I would still like you to join.
Bill Roberts
Hi janeAnne - that we will! And we're looking forward to being back down there again this summer. When we've nailed down just when that will be, you'll definitely hear from me! We can go have veggie lunches again! ;-)
Ann
janeAnne - You hit a sore spot here. I have a home that is built with very little wood. In fact, the exterior walls are insulated concrete. There were no VOC's with the insulation. Every material was made from a renewable resource that didn't deplete our earth. The windows are the best available. It's super efficient - costs half what our old house bled us for on utilities. It's very low impact, environmentally.
However, the local "green building certification" guy won't give us the blessing because it's too large and has too much cubic airspace. That's his opinion, and in my area, his decision is final. Nevermind that smaller homes have gotten his blessing and use way more energy.
janeAnne and Debbie - there are a lot of ways that "GREEN" is evaluated. The fact that the very large Asheville house used cutting edge buidling materials helpls a lot - but with 28' ceilings, that's a lot of air to fill with HVAC units... and a lot of roof to cover and rooms to light....
But what I do like about it is that people need room for large familes and people with large amounts of dispoable income want luxury homes... we will not stop them from building high-end homes. What is great is that they are choosing to build them in a earth friendly, green standards way, and are getting major recognition for it. That is wonderful!
Dave~ I would,too!
Michael~ I understand your points.
Terrylynn~
You pointed out, " This is going to be the buzzword of 2008 and beyond and we'll all be better for it. ..." Nicely put and thanks for your comment.
Everything old is new again... I was looking at the technologies, and it got me thinking about a report that I wrote on "off-the-grid" homes back around 1980... In high school.
No, I'm not a visionary genius, I just happened across an edition of Mother Earth News and I needed a subject for a report.
Karen~
YOU are one person who certainly led the way! WOW! Designing your own eco-friendly home is an amazing feat...but having done it 25 years ago tells me you are a visionary. Nice to connect with-you here at AR>
Ruthmarie~
You commented..."Our runoff is being affected by the supersizing in the form of flooding. ..." I have quite a bit to say about this...interms of land/environmental impact planning and thoughtful, eco-wise developers...don't get me started,...my well recently was negatively affected ...
Diane~
I love that you pointed out the rewards of stewardship/retrofitting/renovation! YAY-yeah!!! You said, " I remind everyone that you can also preserve bigger homes and buildings while making them green as well!" and I applaud that addition to this conversation. Here in Asheville we are VERY interested in that process. Come on over and I will show you some of the most remarkable renovations you have ever seen. "Tis wonderful!!!
Hi Stephanie~
I will send you a virtual tour...remind me.
Bill~
You highlighted another interesting point when you commented, " When we consider how large the Earth is a few extra thousand square feet is nothing, but it can mean a lot to a fully self-sustaining house...
I love the idea of a self-sustaining house...it brings up all kinds of pictures in my mind. Tell us more!
Hi Ann~ You know I'm looking forward to it. Do you think your Dad will come up, too?
Christy~Goodpoint...accessibility! That makes this home-place even more attractive (if that is possible)
Fortunately, I don't have a well, but a developer who clear cut woods slightly upstream from me has created a nightmare with respect to my water table - and I'm not the only one. $15,000 in drainage and I STILL get wet. I'm furious - and our city says there is no "proof" it was the builder. OK, but did we have streams of water cascading down the sides of the road for DAYS following a storm before the building? Nope. It's a real problem here because White Plains is largely swamp land.
We had a terrible storm last spring. FEMA was called into the neighboring town which is downstream of White Plains. Could all the paving over of White Plains have had something to do with the overflow of the Mamaroneck River? My guess is it did - and even though this stromm was a big one, the damage wouldn't have been as great with proper regard to wetlands.
jane-Anne,
I believe when money is no object, a luxury home can be very eco-saavy....unfortunately the extras required (such as solar panels, heat pumps, etc) are out of reach for most home-buyers/builders.
Beautiful home, btw, it looks like it fits right into the surrounding ecosystem.
Excellent post that really causes one to pause and think...
Jo
"Everyone"...~
Thanks for your comments. If I missed your comment and didn't respond, I'll be checking back ..
Al~
Over the-years I have found and do agree with you that Ca$h speaks volumes ...However.... Because Asheville is one of the Top 10 Places for Relocation and Excellence in terms of Quality of life...our market is still very competitive ...so Ca$h may not be so powerful as it is in other parts of the country.
Debbie~
I can understand your frustration. I am hoping that inspectors/appraisers and other real estate professionals will become more familiar with the features and benefitsof eco-savvy homes...and take this into account.
Eva~
You commented..." What is great is that they are choosing to build them [large eco-sensitive homes] in a earth friendly, green standards way, and are getting major recognition for it. That is wonderful!" Indeed. More and more we are seeing this in our market here in Asheville.
Lola~
I am so happy you picked up on my point ..you commented, " . I was especially struck by your comment on multi-generational living. This is loving the earth and it's inhabitants in the most profound way possible isn't it? :) " YES INDEED!!
Lane~
"Visionary genius" or not...it makes me smile to think you were ahead of your time. How are things going in your market now that GREEN is catching on ?
Carrie~
Alice has a special way of brining subtle strength and artistry together in her work...and all who reside in her places (human beings/horses++) must enjoy the benefits!
Jo-Anne~
REALLY an excellent point...you commented, " it looks like it fits right into the surrounding ecosystem." And you are so right...one of the beauties of this eco-savvy home...
This really is a beautiful house and I would love to go see it...and the arena too!