Xpress challenged local artist Lorraine Plaxico to depict and describe a handful of the Western North Carolina’s most intriguing and inspiring green homes.
Building hope from the dirt: Asheville group seeks to create earthbag homes in Nepal
The massive earthquake that rattled Nepal in April left entire villages flattened and hundreds of thousand of people homeless. But here in Asheville, a team of natural builders believe they can help by teaching locals how to build superadobe domes.
Costs and benefits: What’s the price of riverfront revitalization?
In her landmark 1955 book, The French Broad, Asheville author Wilma Dykeman said the river was “above all, a region of life, with all the richness and paradox of life.” She described a watershed rich in flora and fauna, ranging from the “fertile fields and gentle fall” through Transylvania and Henderson counties to the sudden “plunge between steep mountains” around Asheville, “strewn with jagged boulders.”
City building blocks: Shipping container structures are stacking up in Asheville
Shipping containers seem to be the new architectural craze, and with the construction of the Smoky Park Supper Club — Asheville’s first commercial structure built from containers (19 of them, to be exact) — city residents and visitors will soon get to explore one of these buildings up close. But what is it about the look of these large steel boxes that has so captured our imagination?
On the road in our house: Living large with a small footprint
“Initially, we were skeptical because of the large carbon footprint — poor gas mileage, plus the need for propane when not plugged into the grid. We nearly rejected the idea entirely — until we realized we could modify the RV to better match our priorities.”
In photos: Mother Earth News Fair 2015
Crowds of locals and visitors converged on the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12, to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of the 2015 Mother Earth News Fair. Click through for a slideshow of photos by Tori Pace.
Mother Earth News Fair gets down and dirty in Asheville
Mother Earth News Fair returns to the Western North Carolina Agriculture Center on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, marking the fair’s second consecutive appearance in Asheville. The fair is an opportunity for fans of the bi-monthly environmental magazine to get hands-on experience with the topics covered in the publication from sustainable agriculture to green home building.
Solar for sale: New legislation could mean cleaner, more affordable options for electricity
The sun is shining on those who want more competition in the N.C. energy marketplace. A series of bills recently introduced into the state legislature aim to diversify the energy business through independent solar sources and provide incentive for energy efficiency through a tiered rate system.
Conservation in WNC — where we’re going, where we’ve been
From the Get It! Guide: Long before the age of Internet lists and online travel magazines, people came to Asheville and Western North Carolina for the intrinsic natural beauty. In fact, the beauty of our environment is what many say makes this place so special. But are we protecting what we have? What initiatives are underway to help ensure that the region remains a respite and a haven for generations to come?
Alternative energy may be the key to a self-sustaining economy for N.C.
From the Get It! Guide: Alternative energy has long been considered a fringe service provider. But with efficient and affordable advances in technology, juicy state and federal tax incentives and the ability to keep both jobs and cash local, proponents say its time to consider alternative energy a serious plan for the future.
Why I grow: Downtown rooftop gardening
More and more of Asheville’s downtown dwellers are finding creative ways to use their urban spaces for growing food. Russell Thomas, owner of the Flatiron Building, tells Xpress how he and his staff are converting the rooftop of the historic building into a hydroponic and raised-bed garden that is a source of both veggies and renewable energy for the building and its businesses.
ECO hosts Green Homes and Edible Gardens tour Saturday, Aug. 9
Environmental Conservation Organization will hold their annual Green Homes and Edible Gardens tour on Saturday, Aug 9. The event allows the public to meet and interact with home owners and gardeners who have experience with solar installations, permaculture and small-house design, among other topics.
How to ‘greenerize’ your home
Get It! Guide: WNC Green Building Council offers easy and inexpensive ways to save energy.