Christopher Elbow’s home on the southern edge of Kansas City was green 50 years before “going green” was the thing.

The chocolate chef’s secluded Mid-Century Modern house was built in 1952 by architect David Runnells, who loaded it with environmentally friendly features. The slanted roof of the ranch house is angled so that sunlight bounces off in the summer and floods the windows in winter. Strategically placed vents open to allow a breeze on warm days, and low-energy radiant heat warms the floor when it’s cold out.

But what makes the home truly special is its setting on two and a half wooded acres.

When Elbow and his wife, Jenifer, came to look at the house a few years ago, it was summertime. The house was surrounded by green grass and leafy trees. It was an oasis tucked into city sprawl.

“I got halfway down the driveway and went, ‘This is it,’ ” Elbow says.

So the couple moved out of their renovated colonial in Brookside and into an angular ranch house built to bring the outdoors in.

Jenifer, a graphic designer at Hallmark, decorated the house with nature-inspired sculptures, colorful vases, curvy lamps and art made by friends.

The home is a work in progress: The Elbows tore up the shag carpeting to reveal concrete floors, but haven’t decided yet whether they’ll polish those floors or install blue flagstone. They also have plans to bring the retro kitchen into the 21st century and connect it with the garage, which doubles as Christopher’s man cave. There you’ll find a dart board, a work bench, an impressive collection of motorcycles that includes a Honda, a Triumph and a Ducati and a full-size refrigerator solely devoted to beer.

The one thing you won’t find in Christopher Elbow’s man cave: Chocolate.

“At the end of the day,” he says, “I’m craving a beer.”