Samsel Architects featured in Green Built Alliance Directory
The 2017 Green Built Alliance Directory hit newsstands recently and includes a feature written by one of our own, Margaret Chandler. The article details how our office put together a sustainable action plan following the installation of a solar panels on our roof. After the panels were installed, we wrote a Sustainability Statement, a formal policy that outlines our studio’s commitment to a more sustainable future. This policy guides our employees on their day-to-day in order to raise their awareness of our environmental impact. It includes recycling and composting, and an office supply purchasing policy that favors local products. We
Three Years of Solar Energy
This spring marks three years since the Samsel Architects studio has been using solar power. In early 2014, a series of solar panels were placed in service on the roofs of 60 and 64 Biltmore Avenue, with four large photovoltaic (PV) arrays cantilevered off the building. The four cantilevered panels are visible from street level and make a powerful statement that our community embraces sustainability and innovation. Our unique solar installation, by Sundance Power Systems, is the result of design challenges that were posed by a roof with many obstructions and limited space. Mounting fifty-seven of the one hundred and seventeen modules
West Asheville Small House in Carolina Home + Garden
We are excited to see our West Asheville small house featured in the spring edition of Carolina Home + Garden Magazine. This home is on a ⅛ acre infill lot in the high-demand West Asheville area. Our clients, a young couple, wanted a small, minimalist home that would allow them to live simply. We were tasked with creating a design that worked on a challenging site and on a tight budget. With a small footprint, space optimization is key. Each room houses multiple functions, and storage space is integrated into every possible location. In the kitchen simple, white cabinets completely line
Students from Appalachian participate in Race to Zero Student Design Competition
Our studio recently hosted a group of students from Appalachian State University to provide feedback on their Race to Zero entry. Race to Zero is an annual student design competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy intended to inspire college students to create market-ready, creative design solutions for energy-efficient homes. Before the students submit their final design, they will spend months brainstorming, designing and getting crucial feedback from professionals who are already achieving “green” design - which is where we come in. Andrew Windham, Assistant Professor of Building Science and the team’s faculty lead, asked us to weigh in on