Casa Negra

Casa Negra is a small urban infill live/ work space situated on a wooded lot in West Asheville. The site was challenging to build on because it had an urban creek marking one of its setback lines, a city sewer line defining the other and tall mature trees lining the city road making access difficult. All those site constraints called for a small footprint structure that had to have a very deep foundation way below the soft soil of the creek and the road infill. In addition we had to go through a lengthy permitting process with the Army Corp of Engineers to obtain a permission to culvert portion of the creek so we can build in such a close proximity to it without disturbing the local ecology.

Our program dictated simple but interesting space that inspires creative work. The main level opens to a triangular deck that takes full advantage of the green urban forest surrounding the lot. The upper level houses an office space, bathroom and a tiny bedroom. The basement is an independent dwelling unit that is connected to the upper level but also has its own entry.