Details Make the Difference at The Lookout
At the end of a project, it’s the architectural details that come together to make a project really stand out. It’s difficult to capture those details in photography, so we’re going to dive into one of our modern residences - The Lookout - and take a closer look some small moments that make a big difference.
Year-Round Outdoor Living Spaces
What draws a lot of people to live in Western North Carolina are the beautiful mountain views at every turn. When designing a home in the mountains, creating a strong connection to the outdoors is a must. Whether it's a patio, a deck or a screened-in porch, these outdoor spaces extend the interior living spaces to the outside for year-round enjoyment. Below are six inviting outdoor living spaces.
A Bach in the Mountains
We have fallen in love with the “bach” - and so have our clients! While living in New Zealand, our clients discovered the bach (pronounced “batch”), a traditional and modest beachside home tucked among the cliffs. The name is thought to derive from “bachelor pad” or perhaps from the Welsh word for “small.”
Biophilic Design Feature in Green Building Directory
The 2020 Green Building Directory from Green Built Alliance features an article about biophilic design written by one of our staff members, Margaret Chandler. Biophilic design is a design principal used to reinforce connectivity to nature inside a building through thoughtful space planning. The feature details our approach to biophilic office design in our renovation of Eagles Nest Outfitters headquarters in East Asheville. From the article: "The opportunities for biophilic architecture in an industrial office park are not as limited as they might seem. Eagles Nest Outfitters, an Asheville-based outdoor company also known as ENO, had outgrown their downtown Asheville location and
Modern Cottage in Biltmore Forest
This woodland cottage, located in the Town of Biltmore Forest, near Asheville, North Carolina and the landmark Biltmore Estate, is modern in its construction while holding true to historic examples in the area. From the first glimpse of the exterior through the trees, the house appears as if it has always been there. In response to our client’s request that the house not appear dominant or outwardly showy, we rotated the home’s linear footprint to greet guests with its shortest façade, presenting the impression of a small cottage. The design of the house alludes to the countryside homes of C.F.A. Voysey,
Modern Classic in Yancey County
Our client, a young family of five, asked us to design a contemporary farmhouse on mountain land that has been in their family since a Revolutionary War land grant. The farmstead features numerous structures built by the husband’s great grandfather and served as our inspiration: simple forms and a character rich with a sense of place. Our design honors the history of the valley with a new home that could be perceived as a thoughtful renovation to the original house. Tradition governs the home’s form: the classic farmhouse gable with wrap-around porch. A modern approach directs the details: clean lines, open
Montreat Modern Residence
The Montreat Modern Residence is designed to be in harmony with its setting and to fulfill the family’s hopes for a multi-generational getaway. Our clients and their extended family have enjoyed the Montreat area for many years and wanted a permanent place that can be enjoyed for generations to come. This house, now in construction, is sited on a steep north-sloping mountainside. Limited access from the street and difficult topography presented a design challenge that was solved with an elegant L-shaped plan. The primary linear form of the home provides a welcoming covered entry on the south side and a covered
Swannanoa minimalist home connects with nature
Located in Swannanoa, N.C. on a wooded lot with views to Craggy Mountain, this two-story modern mountain home serves as a comfortable and practical retreat for its residents. The owners came to our firm to help them create a quiet home where they could feel connected to nature. The main level is a bright and airy space that uses a minimal palette and generous windows. The lower level is a utilitarian space that serves as a screen-printing and woodworking studio. The home’s form is simple and geometric with a dark color palette. The low-profile and flat roof help it blend
New Roots for North Asheville Residence
The Twin Oaks Residence is located in a quiet North Asheville neighborhood and is named after two towering oaks that stand at the southern end of the lawn. The trees have long been a part of the landscape and we knew we had to design the home in deference to the oaks. The home, although new in construction, speaks to the past and tells the story of the property it sits on. We wanted the house to fit the character of the surrounding area, so the exterior massing is an interpreted shingle style home, which is historically prevalent in North Asheville’s
Draft Master Plan for Karen Cragnolin Park Revealed
Samsel Architects spent our summer working on plans for RiverLink’s Karen Cragnolin Park, and last week, we were happy to be able to present the Draft Master Plan to the public during guided tours of the property. We have been working alongside a great design team led by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects along with local firms, Equinox Environmental and Anchor QEA. The "field day" was an opportunity for us to engage with the public and to celebrate this long-awaited project. The property has been hidden behind a fence since 2006, so opening up the gates to our community was an