Architecture

The beautiful mountains and valleys, waterfalls and streams, and charming villages and towns of Western North Carolina have for decades been a magnet for tourists and summer home residents.  More recently new communities, some featuring golf courses and other amenities, have been developed which have imposed an impact, both ecologically and aesthetically. However, for the most part, newcomers and developers have shown respect and integrity for the mountain ecology and the fragility of the land. Recent new land regulations further guarantee that this practice will continue as more growth and development are inevitable. Community developments and their supporting amenities, individual homes, multi-unit townhomes and condominiums have been designed to blend with the mountains and forest, and to preserve and protect the natural beauty for all who live and visit here.

Architectural styles for the most part are vernacular, harkening back to the rustic forms, scale and materials of the early settlers and the buildings that followed for the past century. Some however are more modern in form but are harmonious due to natural materials and organic colors. Log homes, a more literal version of the vernacular, have been somewhat popular. Some are new log home systems and others are designed and built with antique logs, beams and boards reclaimed from old houses and barns. Generally though, most homes are conventional wood frame construction but often have massive heavy timber ceilings in main living areas. You will see a variety of rustic materials on the exterior, such as rough sawn board and batten, cedar shingles, Poplar bark, horizontal siding and a generous amount of mountain stone. Antique reclaimed wood siding and beams are often incorporated. Roofs are usually steeply sloped with many gables and clad in rough sawn cedar shakes, shingles or copper. There is almost always at least one massive stone chimney penetrating the roof line. Color is an important aspect in insuring the natural organic harmony so obvious in our mountain communities. Weathered gray and tones of taupe and brown mimic the tree trunks and stone outcroppings while accents of green and muted reds, oranges and yellows blend naturally with the environment.

Since there is very little flat land in the mountains, most building sites are sloped, some steeper than others. Therefore retaining walls are a necessity for gaining level access for cars and guest parking. Huge stacked boulder walls are the most utilized solution. It is common for multi-level homes to have lower levels cut into the earth. The steeper sloping sites sometimes require quite high foundation walls to support the structure above. Since many sites enjoy seemingly endless mountain views, numerous decks and balconies, sometimes on multiple levels and floating high above the ground below, are common. Cool summers and fresh mountain air beckon us to be outdoors so well designed homes have a variety of outdoor spaces. Covered porches, sometimes screened and often with their own fireplaces are desirable as are stone terraces and wood decks.

The architectural character of each village or town is a charming mixture of old houses and buildings, some over 100 years old, and newer buildings of vernacular forms, rustic materials and details. They are, of course, evolving as the population increases and opportunities for new businesses and services unfold. However, the overwhelming love and respect for our mountains and our heritage has generated a unique common sensitivity to the planning and architectural character of future development for generations to come.

Article by Dan Duckham – For NC Mountain Guide