Asheville – Red Tree Builders | Alair Asheville has won its fourth consecutive Department of Energy Innovation Award. Located at 301 Merrimon Avenue in Asheville, the company was founded by Brandon Bryant in 2006 to further his personal aspirations to create functional luxury living spaces that support the health of the occupants, their neighbors, and the environment.
“While some builders rely on superficial measures like spray foam insulation or LED lighting to claim green credentials, we take a more comprehensive approach—creating homes that are not only energy-efficient but also resilient, healthy, and seamlessly connected to their environment,” said Bryant.
He continued, “For us, a home is a system—a thoughtfully integrated whole, not something that can be pieced together or picked off a shelf. True green building isn’t about doing a few isolated things. It’s about designing a system where every element works together harmoniously.”
“Our philosophy begins with a foundational principle: good house design. Everything starts here. A well-designed home isn’t just energy-efficient; it’s functional, flowing, and visually captivating. It has curb appeal, but it’s also built to evolve with its occupants.”
The latest award-winning project, Green Haven, was completed last summer in the Olivette agrihood community. Bryant listed a dozen “cutting-edge green technologies” that went into the design and said, “We prioritize technologies that are scalable, proven, and capable of evolving with future needs.” As expected, the homes are all-electric with solar panels and battery storage, they’re furnished with Energy Star appliances, etc.
One standout feature was the geothermal systems. They tap into subterranean reservoirs with a constant temperature of 55°F. The technology has been around for years, but it’s underutilized due to upfront costs, not the least of which is drilling. Bryant said over the long run, geothermal “drastically reduces” heating and cooling costs. “Additionally, the quiet operation of geothermal systems contributes to the serene, community-focused atmosphere of Olivette.”
Another feature is sensor-controlled indoor air quality systems. They track and respond to changes in temperature and humidity as well as volatile organic compound and carbon dioxide concentrations. A historical problem in green building has been “sick building syndrome,” resulting from fuel-conserving measures making houses so airtight that the inhabitants don’t get enough fresh oxygen. Acting in real time, out-of-range sensor readings automatically activate energy-efficient ventilation systems like a New Year: It’s out with the old and in with the new.
Good indoor air quality is also maintained with antimicrobial ultraviolet lights integrated into the HVAC system. “The technology has been thoroughly tested and proven effective in eliminating bacteria, mold, and viruses, without posing any risks to the occupants of the home,” said Bryant.
“We’re always researching and exploring new advancements in green technology to ensure our homeowners benefit from the most effective, reliable, and forward-thinking solutions. This commitment means we’ve phased out older technologies that no longer meet our high standards for performance and value.
A feature of Red Tree homes of current interest is storm resilience. The company received positive feedback from homeowners following Hurricane Helene. Their homes, and sometimes even the landscaping, had “remained fully operational,” when surrounding neighbors were not so fortunate.
After brushing off this success saying, “We truly believe there’s a bit of luck involved,” Bryant explained that the company works with highly accomplished architects and landscape architects to engineer “careful,” “precision” designs to work with a site’s unique features. These might include diverting water runoff, engineering foundations, or grading appropriate slopes.
“Our commitment to building homes that are healthy and resilient starts with structural integrity. It’s always our top priority. While we’re passionate about incorporating green building techniques, those will never come at the expense of creating a structurally sound home,” he said.
“We routinely go far beyond code requirements to ensure our homes are tighter, stronger, and better able to withstand whatever challenges may come. From well-placed retention ponds to strong roofs and thoughtful slope protection, we strive to design and build with an enduring respect for the land and the people who will call it home.”
Bryant said Red Tree typically build single-family homes on contract, but they do occasionally design-build commercial projects and take on total renovations. Next year, in the setting of Hurricane Helene’s contributions to the area’s persistent affordable housing crisis, Bryant announced Red Tree will begin building homes and townhomes on spec. These will be affordable yet comfortably and tastefully designed to Red Tree’s high standards of resilience and sustainability.