Self-sufficient retreat in Max Patch: of-the-grid and off the beaten path.

Designer: Homeowner and SouthEast Ecological Design

Builder: SouthEast Ecological Design

Price Tag: Undisclosed

Square Feet: 6200 total

Construction Type: Remodel and new construction (totally remodeled original house was 1900 square feet: New construction approximately 4300 square feet)

In Max Patch in the most western and uninhabited reaches of Madison Count), NC is a 200 acre forest traversed by bears, mountain lions, and bobcats. Development of this property has been based in permaculture concepts. Throughout the property there are numerous hiking trails and many microclimates, as well as a unique home and retreat center.

The first challenge the builders, SouthEast Ecological Design, had to face was just getting there. Four miles of rough gravel road made getting thousands of pounds of building materials and equipment to the site quite a feat. In the winter, snowy and icy conditions often made the road treacherous and impassible. Fortunately. the challenges of this special site were surpassed by many moments of excitement and never any real accidents.

The owners lived on-site and in the home during most of the construction. This was certainly more challenging for them than it was for building team. Caution and the sequencing of construction phases were an absolute necessity. The homeowner designed and installed all of the heating, electrical, and plumbing systems in the house. This was hard work for the owner, but it reduced the need for subcontractor traffic to and from such a remote site.

The homeowners' main focus in the house design was on ecological preservation and sustainable living, all without sacrificing comfort. One of their main priorities was to use sustainably harvested lumber. Black locust trees from the wooded property (which were sustainably forested by the builder), were milled on-site and used throughout the home. The locust was used for timber-frame accents and structural members in the house and porch. In fact, approximately ninety percent of all interior flooring, trim, and cabinetry and all the exterior deck framing and decking was created using this locust wood. This wood replaced 100 percent of pressure treated lumber in the entire home and outdoor decks. Ml other lumber used for the framing of the house was FSC-certified. Black locust is a fast-growing wood with superior strength and rot-resistance. Locals say, "The only difference between a locust post and an iron post is that the iron'll last 100 years and the locust only 99."

Another one of the goals for the owners was to create energy and resource independence. By going off-grid and building an energy efficient home that was heated by on-site resources (solar hot-water and waste wood boiler), as well as putting efforts into the stewardship of the land that they live on (including planting an edible forest garden of over 200 fruit and nut trees), the owners are enjoying a substantial level of self-reliance. The choices in materials and methods used in the building were based upon issues of healthy indoor air quality as well as sustainability for its own sake, which is something the homeowners held as a high priority.

Says builder Kevin Ward, "The cost of green and sustainable alternatives in construction can be higher than modern and conventional means. But this is like comparing apples to oranges. Because of widespread environmental degradation and what is viewed as an impending energy crisis, Our perspective is that the world can't afford not to go green." With this perspective, the homeowners have embraced these ideals and created for themselves a sustainably built and self-sufficient home.

SouthEast Ecological Design is a fully licensed holistic general contracting company, offering many services including in-house design services; green and natural new construction; additions, remodels, and restorations; land use consultation; permaculture design; and ecological restoration. Contact them at 828-628-6448, [e-mail], www.ecologicaldesign.net.

Top Green Points

Credentials: Home is off grid, utilizing photovoltaics Efficiency: ICF foundation (Faswall); heating is in-floor radiant; hot water for heating home and out-buildings as well as domestic use is produced utilizing outdoor wood-burning boiler and solar hot water collection; recycled denim batting insulation with radiant barrier, triple paned super high performance windows built with sustainably harvested douglas fir

low Toxicity: Low VOC glues, paints, and finishes used in home Environmental: Master suite and yoga room walls built using waste wood for wooden lathe and earthen plaster mixed on site, spring fed water supply for house, landscape/stonescaping built from on-site stone.

What is Sustainable Building?

This building practice encompasses those aspects of building that have little impact on the environment. Materials are chosen from ecologically and environmentally sound sources. The wood that is being used can grow back quickly, is long lasting, and has been harvested in such a way as to not disturb the surrounding environment. Sunlight is harnessed for energy and water efficiency is maximized.