To bring the house and its inhabitants closer to nature, Blue Ridge House employs several sustainable strategies. The lower story is sunken into the ground and covered by a green roof, which reduces heating and cooling loads. Additional extensive green roofs cover the wood cabins, minimizing stormwater runoff. Geothermal heating and cooling are employed throughout, along with locally and responsibly harvested materials. The house also utilizes rainwater and gray water harvesting systems.

By opting for wood over metal-stud framing construction, the design supported local industry, lowered construction costs, and shortened the building schedule. Finger-joined “Weyerhauser I-level studs” created less waste during the manufacturing process, contributed to the green building mandate, and guaranteed straightness comparable to metal studs. With the help of a 15kW wind turbine on site, the LEED Silver house aims for a zero-carbon footprint.