Alair Asheville: Sustainable Building Meets Inspired Design

For nearly two decades, Alair Asheville, originally founded as Red Tree Builders, has been crafting impeccable custom homes throughout Asheville and western North Carolina. Brandon Bryant, a former land salesman with a family background in construction, founded the company in 2006 after realizing he wanted to play a larger role in building the homes on the land he was selling. 

Confident he could bring stronger building standards and a commitment to environmentally responsible design, Brandon launched the company with a focus on energy-efficient, green-certified homes. And along with that, he also prioritized great design and an integrated client experience.

Building Green

From the beginning, sustainability has been central to Alair Asheville’s work, and the company is recognized for adhering to rigorous industry green building standards. The homes are designed to reduce environmental impact while enhancing comfort, with careful attention to energy use, indoor air quality, and material selection. Today, Alair Asheville continues to push the envelope in sustainable construction, blending innovative building practices with timeless, livable design.

Interior Design for a Lifetime

In-house designer Gina Taterus ensures every Alair Asheville home is tailored to the homeowner’s lifestyle. She works closely with clients from the earliest stages, offering insight into how spaces will function and flow while turning their ideas into a cohesive design.

Most clients are relocating to the area, with some building homes that will take them into retirement and beyond. “We are doing zero-entry showers, primary bedrooms on the first floor, adding blocking for future grab bars, and even designing pantry spaces that could one day be converted into an elevator in multi-level homes,” Gina says. For her, good design is about making sure a home works for its owners now and for years to come.

The Cambria Connection

Before Gina joined the team, Alair Asheville had used Cambria in a few projects, but it wasn’t yet a consistent choice. That changed when she came on board, bringing years of experience working with the brand and a personal connection to its roots. Gina has family ties to Minnesota, home to Cambria’s headquarters, and has toured their state-of-the-art slab manufacturing facility, where she was impressed by the operations.

Brandon notes that clients are drawn to Cambria natural quartz surfaces for their durability, distinctive designs, and maintenance-free appeal. However, for him, the value of the partnership goes beyond the product itself.

Standout Homes

Two recent projects highlight how Alair Asheville integrates Cambria quartz surfaces into its designs to craft beautifully functional spaces. 

The Perch home project features Inverness Cobalt™ in a polished finish, used on the kitchen counters and island as well as in the laundry room. Gina notes the client was drawn to the Inverness® profile for its distinctive texture and veining, which brings depth and movement to the space.

Valley Haven incorporates Inverness Frost in a Cambria Matte® finish on the kitchen countertops and island, as well as the primary bath vanity top. The soft, cool tones and velvety texture of the matte finish complement the home’s light and airy aesthetic.

Innovative Applications with Quartz

Alair Asheville’s projects also showcase creative applications for Cambria surfaces beyond countertops. Recent designs have featured sleek fireplace surrounds, full-height shower walls clad in lighter-weight 1cm slabs, and bookmatching, where symmetrical slabs mirror each other like an open book.

Shifts in Interior Styles

Gina is seeing more homeowners embrace warm wood tones, often pairing them with timeless white kitchens. While she doesn’t see the white kitchen going anywhere, she does see a growing shift toward higher-contrast designs. In some projects, she’s specified bold Cambria designs like Remington Steel™, a darker, more dramatic choice that instantly makes a statement.

Gina’s approach is always rooted in collaboration, focusing on helping clients achieve their vision. With each project, Alair Asheville builds on its reputation for merging sustainability, craftsmanship, and timeless style into homes designed to last for generations.