Snowbird

Situated on 34 acres deep in the Snowbird Wilderness of Western North Carolina, this off-grid retreat required every bit of experience we could bring to bear. Forty-five minutes up a winding gravel road, surrounded by national forest and bounded by a native trout stream, the site dictated everything — from material selection to structural strategy to the systems that would keep the home running without a utility line in sight. A complete solar array, lithium battery bank, and backup generator were engineered into the design from day one, not bolted on as an afterthought.

The architecture is unapologetically modern — a bold single-slope roofline carried by 34-foot exposed beams, cypress siding weathering naturally into the landscape, and Tennessee field stone grounding the structure to its surroundings. Inside, polished concrete slabs anchor the lower level while white oak floors warm the upper. Cypress trim runs throughout. A stamped concrete patio extends the living space toward the tree line and the sound of moving water. The envelope was designed for the region's demanding climate — a moist, temperate rainforest environment requiring meticulous attention to ventilation, moisture management, and thermal performance. The result is a home that disappears into its wilderness setting while performing at the highest level of modern building science.