Whisper Mountain, located outside of the city of Asheville in the heart of western North Carolina, is a community where conservation and preservation meet. That's why Southern Living has chosen this community as the location for their first 2008 green Idea House.

 

Visitors may tour the eco-friendly house from June 21 through October 12 when it will be placed on the North Carolina real estate market. It will be a fully furnished, three bedroom, four bathroom "farmhouse," LEED-certified, with a separate "barn" that houses a two-car garage and guest suite on the first and second levels, complete with living, dining, kitchen, bedroom, full bath, and a third floor sleeping loft.

 

The 2008 Southern Living Idea House is an eco-friendly home that will prove to be a coveted piece of North Carolina mountain real estate. The plan is designed in a traditional farm house style, updated for today's lifestyle with two main levels, the master bedroom on the first floor, two bedrooms with full baths on the second floor, and a third floor loft. In addition to the living, dining, kitchen and screen porch on the first floor, the study has a full bath which could be used as an additional bedroom. This home combines stunning design and craftsmanship with such earth-friendly features as solar thermal and photovoltaic panels, rain water catchment and grey-water systems, radiant floor heating, tankless water heating, recycled metal roofing, Energy Star appliances, and more.

 

The home's green technology systems are housed on the ground floor and will be open for interpretive tours; visitors will learn about what goes into building a green home.

 

"We are pleased to report that this Southern Living Idea House will offer visitors the very latest in sustainable green living ideas inside and out," Charlie Ball, owner and developer of Whisper Mountain said.

 

The home is being built by Asheville's premier green builder, EcoBuilders. Some of the home's eco-friendly features include solar paneling, radiant-heated floors, and a gray water system.

 

During construction, the building site and surrounding land was disturbed as little as possible with on-site recycling. The house was constructed with non-toxic materials and extensive use of locally- produced building materials.

 

An energy recovery ventilator will draw in fresh, filtered air and remove humidity; extensive flashing will ensure no water intrusion. The roof will be fabricated from recycled metal and bluewood-coated lumber.

 

"Through harvesting reusable resources, implementing cutting-edge, green-building techniques, and maintaining large wooded areas, we have succeeded in developing a community where conservation and preservation meet," Ball explained. "And, we are so excited that Southern Living has provided us with this wonderful opportunity to showcase their eco-friendly 2008 Idea House.

 

In addition to eco-friendly amenities, the private Whisper Mountain community also offers parks and greenbelts, hiking trails, and an owner's lodge reconstructed from 1800's, timber-frame structure.