Elk Mountain Ridge

Situated along a renowned cycling route in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this private residence is conceived as a tranquil retreat for an avid cyclist and his spouse.

Size
4,500 sq.f
Location
Asheville, North Carolina
Project Team
Vellum Architects
Design Team
Osada Construction, Herrington Homes, Site Works Studios
Completed
2020
Category
Residential
Project Brief

Situated along a renowned cycling route in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this private residence is conceived as a tranquil retreat for an avid cyclist and his spouse.

The architectural strategy responds directly to both the clients’ lifestyle and the unique character of the wooded site. The design balances the desire for contemplative solitude with the opportunity to engage with the surrounding landscape, resulting in a home that is simultaneously grounded and elevated within its context.
Site and Contextual Response

The project occupies a densely wooded parcel, where two significant view corridors are defined by natural clearings in the tree canopy.

These visual axes frame distant mountain vistas and are central to the orientation and spatial organization of the house. The building is composed as a linear volume, aligning with the site’s gentle contours to minimize site disturbance and to enhance both solar orientation and views. By following the topography, the architecture quietly inserts itself into the landscape, reinforcing the experience of retreat and seclusion.

Architectural Composition

The plan articulates a deliberate separation between public and private zones.

Private functions—principally the sleeping quarters—are housed within a series of gabled roof forms, which evoke a vernacular domestic language while providing an intimate scale and sense of enclosure. In contrast, the public living areas are defined by low-slope roof planes that extend horizontally, visually tying the architecture to the horizon and enhancing the sense of openness. The linear arrangement is anchored by two key programmatic elements: the master suite to the south and the garage to the north. Between these anchors, the primary living spaces open expansively toward the landscape. The main living and dining areas are oriented to capture the primary view corridor, while daylight penetrates from both east and west exposures. A continuous clerestory band along the northern edge of the roof brings diffused light deep into the space, reducing the need for artificial illumination and reinforcing a connection to the diurnal cycle.
Spatial Experience and Materiality

A central screened porch—integrated within the open living plan—serves as a transitional zone, mediating between interior and exterior environments.

Large sliding glass panels allow this space to be entirely opened to the kitchen and dining areas, creating a flexible and seasonally responsive living environment. A sculptural stone and steel fireplace serves as the focal point of the living room. Conceived as a freestanding mass, the fireplace is physically and visually detached from the surrounding walls. This creates a concealed circulation route between the primary suite and an adjacent sitting room, while the expressed steel flue and open sides allow light to permeate the volume, reinforcing the sense of openness within the interior architecture. The master suite is deliberately situated at the most secluded corner of the home. Elevated on a steel structural frame, the suite projects outward from the slope, offering a treehouse-like experience. This elevated position creates a sense of detachment and privacy, enhancing the feeling of retreat while maintaining a strong connection to the landscape.

Material Strategy and Sustainability

The exterior cladding consists of thermally modified wood, selected for its durability and minimal maintenance.

Left untreated, the material is intended to weather naturally, developing a silvery patina over time that harmonizes with the forested surroundings and underscores the home’s philosophy of aging gracefully within its environment. A detached bike workshop—an essential program element—further reflects the client’s passions. The workshop includes garage doors at both ends, creating a through-building connection that fosters engagement with the outdoors and facilitates easy movement of bicycles and equipment.
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Conclusion

This residence represents a considered architectural response to both client and site.

The design is characterized by its restraint, its sensitivity to context, and its material honesty. Through careful manipulation of form, light, and material, the home fosters a deep connection to the Blue Ridge landscape while providing a serene and purposeful living environment.