Vellum Architecture, together with Osada Construction, has designed this modern home tucked into the mountainside at 3,200 feet above sea level in the Poplar Ridge neighborhood near Asheville, North Carolina. This home feels like it was built to rise organically from the terrain.
Designed to flow with the landscape, not fight it, the structure is both grounded and elevated — with cantilevered sections that reach out into the view and a living roof that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. A defining feature of the residence is its composition of two distinct volumes, connected by a bridge that houses the formal dining area.
DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT Vellum Architecture INTERIOR DESIGN Vellum Architecture BUILDER Osada Construction LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT TTK Design Studio, Aceto Kimball
Given the challenge of an entry located on the narrow side of the structure, the design carefully choreographs arrival to heighten drama and anticipation.
A floating outdoor deck extends from the entry, anchored by a modern steel floating fireplace, while a linear skylight floods the main stairwell with natural light.
The residence employs a material palette of board-formed concrete, shou sugi ban siding, and white stucco, accented with sassafras slats and soffits. These materials not only provide a tactile, durable exterior but also extend into interior spaces, reinforcing the seamless integration of inside and out.
This carefully composed entry sequence culminates in the central Living Area, where expansive views unfold, connecting inhabitants to the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
The primary volume accommodates the main living areas and guest bedrooms below. In contrast, the secondary volume contains the private owner’s bedroom suite, with the home gym and library below, accessed via a floating stair.
This organizational strategy enhances both privacy and functionality while reinforcing a sense of movement and discovery within the home.
Project Brief:
Designed for a professional couple from Florida, the home serves as a retreat that integrates seamlessly with the landscape while addressing stringent height restrictions due to its proximity to the ridgeline.
Board-formed concrete is a central feature, expressed prominently in the entry and carried through key interior moments.
Natural light plays a pivotal role in dissolving the boundaries between built form and landscape. Skylights, clerestory windows, and strategically placed openings frame views while illuminating interior spaces throughout the day.
This is a house that lets nature in, and invites you to live with it, not just beside it.
What We Love About This Home
This striking mountainside home offers its inhabitants a fabulous indoor-outdoor living environment, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Expansive walls of glazing allow the scenery to take center stage, to be enjoyed from comfortable yet stylish furnishings. Overall, we are loving every detail of this home, from the striking exterior facade to the material selections and the inviting outdoor living spaces to enjoy nature…