News + Inspiration

Duncan and Nathan on the rooftop of our studio in 2003.

As we celebrate 40 years in business, we would like to take a moment to reflect on our journey with gratitude for our Western North Carolina community. Since we first opened our doors in 1985, our downtown Asheville studio has been a collaborative environment where we have been turning ideas into beautiful, timeless designs.

Faces and leadership have changed over the years, but our values have always been the same: stewardship for the environment and our community. We have been building lasting relationships and collaborating closely with individuals, families, and organizations to protect our mountain ecosystems and make our community a better place to live.

Our founder, Jim Samsel, played a pivotal role in the revitalization of downtown Asheville, championing many iconic rehabilitation projects as an architect and advocate. His early endeavors laid the groundwork for Altura Architects’ vision of timeless, sustainable design infused with a strong sense of civic responsibility.

We started with the firm within 6 months of each other (1999-2000), and were afforded responsibility to manage projects and grow as designers, gaining Jim’s trust along the way. After a decade of experience and project success, we were elevated to Principal Architects. We co-managed the firm with Jim for the next few years until Jim stepped back from the day-to-day operations and we purchased full ownership of the firm.

Looking toward our future, Altura Architects will continue to carry forward the core values that have defined our studio for 40 years. We will always be inspired by our clients, our consultants, and our Appalachian landscape.