Casa Solara is a one-of-a-kind off-grid retreat 4 miles north of Black Mountain. Experience sustainable mountain living at its finest in this architect-designed passive solar masterpiece set on 13 private acres just minutes from downtown. Designed by Alice Dodson and built by Mark Bondurant of Rare Earth Builders, this 2006 custom home blends elegant design, advanced green technology, and stunning long-range mountain views. The main residence offers three bedrooms and three bathrooms with 3,868 square feet, a private well, and a three-bedroom septic system. The south-facing orientation captures maximum sunlight and breathtaking vistas while twelve-inch-thick concrete walls (R-17) provide exceptional insulation and natural humidity control. Casa Solara operates fully off the grid, powered by solar electric and solar thermal systems with a Kohler propane generator backup. The main level features an open-concept kitchen, living room, and study with graceful curved walls, radiant floor heat, and a propane stove. Expansive windows fill the space with natural light and frame the surrounding mountains.
The upper level includes two bedrooms and one large bath. Both bedrooms open onto a private mountain-view balcony. Also a yoga or sunroom studio offers panoramic views. The lower level includes a bright walk-out basement with one bedroom, one bath, a bonus room, media room, and utility and battery room that houses the off-grid systems. Casa Solara is powered by a 3.6-kilowatt photovoltaic system with 30 -120 Watt modules plus 10 – 320 Watt Modules., an Outback Inverter power system, and 48 large industrial batteries. A six-panel solar thermal array provides domestic hot water and supports the radiant floor heating system, with a (Kohler) propane generator available when needed. There is a newly constructed on-grid guest house (top rated Energy Star Home) that was built in 2025 by Rare Earth Builders. It has 600 square feet – one bedroom and one bath, an open kitchen and living area that flows to a large private deck with spectacular mountain views. Elevated ten feet above ground, it includes a storage and utility area below. Additional property features include a 220-square-foot woodworking shop, a 372-square-foot storage cabin, a 240-square-foot chicken barn, and five terraced gardens with a 1,550-gallon rainwater collection system for irrigation. The 13-acre property includes fruit trees such as peach, Asian pear, and persimmon, along with thriving garden beds and the potential for subdivision or additional building sites. Casa Solara combines architectural artistry, renewable energy, and natural harmony, offering a rare opportunity to live sustainably in the mountains of Western North Carolina.