The approach to Fern Grove is deliberately unhurried. A winding wooded drive threads through The Ramble Biltmore Forest, a luxury community in Asheville, NC. Arriving at this modern sanctuary, rustling leaves replace the distractions of everyday life. The home, a composition of board-formed concrete, warm wood, and glass, with a low monoplane roofline, appears quietly among the towering trees and native ferns. Rather than commanding attention, the home settles naturally into the landscape, as if it has always belonged there.
That sense of restraint is intentional. In a neighborhood celebrated for preserving its forests and weaving homes into the natural topography, Fern Grove embraces the idea that great architecture connects to its environment. Designed by Altura Architects and built by Jade Mountain Builders, the residence pairs contemporary design with high-performance building practices, earning LEED Gold certification and a HERS score of 49—making it 51% more energy efficient than a code-built home. Here, sustainability isn’t an amenity or a checklist; it’s the design philosophy behind every decision, proving that luxury and sustainability can seamlessly coexist.
For the homeowners, sustainability wasn’t simply about earning a certification; it was about creating a different way of life. After years in Chicago, they were ready to trade the constant motion of urban living for the tranquility of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Their vision was a home that reflected their environmental values while offering comfort and a lasting connection to nature.
“Sustainability was important not only from an ecological standpoint, but also for long-term livability,” says architect Tyler Housholder of Altura. “They were focused on aging in place, reducing energy costs, and minimizing ongoing maintenance.” Resale value was also a consideration, as high-performance homes tend to be more appealing in the market. “They weren’t initially familiar with the LEED certification process, but they had clear goals around sustainability and efficiency,” he says.
Working together to meet the rigorous requirements for LEED accreditation, the design team translated those goals into a home built for long-term performance that exceeded expectations. Every decision, from its efficient footprint and window placements to geothermal heating and cooling, and Energy Star-rated appliances, was guided by a desire to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing comfort.
Fern Grove’s clean lines and minimalist aesthetic are striking, but every architectural gesture serves a purpose beyond appearance. The home is composed of two cantilevered wood-and-glass volumes resting atop a concrete plinth, creating a bold contemporary silhouette while visually grounding the structure within its wooded setting. Inside, warm wood ceilings give way to a light-filled great room, where floor-to-ceiling windows invite daylight deep into the home and frame views of the surrounding forest.
One of the project’s greatest design challenges was balancing those views with energy efficiency. While expansive glass has become synonymous with modern architecture, it often comes at the expense of energy performance. “Because [the property] is located in an established neighborhood, it was also important to respect the surrounding homes by maintaining privacy and preserving the surrounding forest,” explains Housholder. “Balancing these priorities required careful planning and intentional design decisions.” The Altura team strategically placed the windows in order to achieve abundant natural light, curated views, and privacy while dramatically reducing heating and cooling demands.
That same intentional approach extends throughout the floor plan. Every room serves a purpose, eliminating unnecessary square footage in favor of spaces that support daily life. For example, hidden pantry storage keeps kitchen appliances tucked away, maintaining the home’s clean aesthetic without sacrificing function.
For the Altura team, projects like Fern Grove represent more than an individual success — they point toward the future of homebuilding. Today’s homeowners are increasingly looking beyond finishes and floor plans, asking how their homes can be healthier, more efficient, and more resilient for decades to come.
In the quiet woods of The Ramble Biltmore Forest, Fern Grove offers one answer. Through thoughtful architecture, efficient systems, and respect for the natural surroundings, the home proves that sustainability doesn’t require compromise. Instead, it can elevate every aspect of design, creating spaces that are not only beautiful, but enduring.
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