Title: Upper Grassy Studios
Location of Proejct: Asheville, NC
Project Completion Date: N/A
Firm Name: Harding Huebner

Short Description: Two conjoined art studios for husband and wife, situated in a meadow, on 18 acres of rural land just minutes from downtown Asheville. Exterior materials are corrugated steel siding and concrete. 2800 sf total.

Architect's Statement: The husband, a portrait photographer and wife, a glass blower, purchased 18 acres of rural meadow, minutes from downtown Asheville. Art studios are equal parts function, and unprogrammed space that allows for the freedom of creativity. The photograpy studio drove a significant element of the siting and design as it was essential the glazing wall face due north. It's a climate controlled space, and a clean space for both shooting and processing the large glass negatives. The glass blowing studio by contrast is inherently more industrial, dirtier, and needing a furnace for heating the glass, concrete floors and outdoor access for both outdoor glass blowing and the delivery of industrial equipment and raw materials. These two opposite programs find a common language under a unifed roof, drawing inspriration from the local vernacular of the traditional dogtrot. The glass studio is rooted to the ground via a concrete slab with large roll up garage door access. As grade falls away, the structure transitions to wood framed floors that cantilver over the concrete foundation. Situated betweent the two studios is the communal covered and uncovered terrace of the dogtrol form. As to not impose too strongly on the rolling meadow, the roof is low and flat, puncutated by the prescriptive form of the north facing glazing wall. All architecture is a melding of the occupants' program requirements (and personality), the vision of the architect, the influence of the site and natural features, budget constraints and the element of delight. Or more simply stated by Vitruvius: firmitas, utilitas, and venustas (strength, utility and beauty). This is perhaps no more evident than in an art studio. An art studio is not a house, but must support and promote creativity while serving a highly prescribed function. Art studios are at their core a vessel for discovery, and critical thinking in pursuit of a joyful and intellectual creation. This makes this kind of project both a joy and a challenge. What more could an architect hope to undertake?