At Seven Falls Golf and River Club, in the mountains outside Asheville, North Carolina, the private community has been gearing up to build one of the first LINKS Green Houses. “We may have begun with the notion to build this single green dream home,” says developer Keith Vinson. “But in reality, this house will serve as the model of sustainable building practices for all construction within our community. It has to be inspirational in every way. It’s an integral part of the vision for our community.”
As part of that commitment, Seven Falls has selected a premium homesite on which to build the Green House. Located on the southern end of the 250-acre meadow where the country’s first Arnold Palmer Premier links-style course is being constructed, the homesite’s views take in nearly all of the golf course, with the clubhouse and the mountains serving as a picturesque backdrop.
“This is an incredible location and the perfect natural setting for the Green House,” says general manager Bill Griffon. “It’s adjacent to Monarch Park, a five-acre private park. Our master planned trail system connects the park with the neighborhoods and eight miles of trails that meander by waterfalls, spring-fed streams and along the French Broad River.”
Seven Falls has already committed to building to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification for Homes standards. The community is engaged in a nationwide search for the top architects and builders in green building practices. Only the
best will do for such an important project that will touch every aspect of Seven Falls. The community’s commitment is not going unnoticed.
“Green building predominates out West,” says Harry Redfearn, president of Private Mountain Communities and an expert on western North Carolina private communities. “But it is starting to take hold in this region in a big way. Baby boomers are driving the movement, demanding environmentally responsible housing, and master-planned communities, like Seven Falls, are setting the green standard in western North Carolina.”
