Altura Architects

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Altura Architects Altura Architects was founded in 1985 with a strong sense of stewardship for the environment and our community. Timeless. Trusted. Sustainable.

Altura Architects, formerly Samsel Architects, is a full-service architectural studio founded in 1985 and based in Asheville, North Carolina. Our studio is committed to timeless architecture and quality design. We thoughtfully blend exceptional artistic vision and technical skill to reflect the unique character of our mountain region. We highly value care for our clients, the environment and our hometown of Asheville and surrounding communities.

Thoughtful design begins with understanding the land.⁠⁠The first step in our design process is walking the property alon...
11/04/2026

Thoughtful design begins with understanding the land.⁠
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The first step in our design process is walking the property alongside our clients. Each site tells a unique story through its topography, native vegetation, sun exposure, prevailing winds, and natural view corridors. Understanding these characteristics allows us to design homes that respond thoughtfully to their surroundings.⁠
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Hurricane Helene reshaped how we evaluate the land. The storm revealed vulnerabilities that extend beyond traditional floodplain and watershed considerations, highlighting the importance of understanding slope stability, debris flow, access routes, prolonged utility outages, and the risks posed by fallen trees.⁠
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These lessons have expanded our approach to site analysis and due diligence. By considering resilience from the very beginning, we can make more informed decisions about where and how a home takes shape.⁠
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Great architecture doesn't simply sit on the land. It responds to it, respects it, and is designed to endure alongside it.

Happy to share that Fern Grove won a COTE Award! 🏆 The COTE award is given to projects that showcase design excellence a...
11/02/2026

Happy to share that Fern Grove won a COTE Award! 🏆 The COTE award is given to projects that showcase design excellence and sustainability. This honor reinforces our belief that elevated design can embrace innovation, high performance and environmental stewardship. Thank you to AIA North Carolina for the recognition and congrats to all the winners!

Project with Jade Mountain Builders, Alchemy Design Studio, Thorsland Concrete.
Photography by Tzu Chen Photography

It's WFH Friday, but your assistant is trying to get you to take off early
10/30/2026

It's WFH Friday, but your assistant is trying to get you to take off early

Crisp fall weekends. 🍁
10/24/2026

Crisp fall weekends. 🍁

Thrilled to see Camp Tall Trees featured in WNC magazine! Pick up a copy to dive into the stories this house holds and a...
10/21/2026

Thrilled to see Camp Tall Trees featured in WNC magazine! Pick up a copy to dive into the stories this house holds and all the designs that make it so special.
📷 by Jordan Powers

A beautiful custom piece by Making Whole in the entryway of . ⁠⁠About this project from Making Whole:⁠"Calm after the st...
10/08/2026

A beautiful custom piece by Making Whole in the entryway of . ⁠
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About this project from Making Whole:⁠
"Calm after the storm.” We posted the proof for this project awhile back; here is the finished realization of a reflection of the moments after Helene—when the wind and the rain settled. The cast pewter leaves are from a mighty oak tree that managed to survive the storm in spite of being twisted beyond logic.⁠
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Materials: cast pewter & carved sapele⁠
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Photography: Tzu Chen Photography
Interiors: Alchemy Design Studio
Contractor: ⁠Lupoli Construction

Proud to team with OLIN  on the Azalea Park recovery project. Six months of public input shaped the vision for the final...
10/06/2026

Proud to team with OLIN on the Azalea Park recovery project. Six months of public input shaped the vision for the final unified design. Combining both resilient and community-minded design, the finished park will feature restored sports facilities, new trails, and improved river access. Community-driven design will make this a great space for Asheville.⁠
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Visuals provided by OLIN . Visit Asheville City site for more information about this project.

Our staff spent yesterday afternoon at Black Mountain College's new exhibit "Imaginary Landscapes." Here are some sneak ...
09/30/2026

Our staff spent yesterday afternoon at Black Mountain College's new exhibit "Imaginary Landscapes." Here are some sneak peeks from the visit, and we invite you to the opening reception this Friday at 6:30 PM.From physical structures to conceptual frameworks, the exhibition asks you to step into Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center's living legacy.

Visit: https://www.blackmountaincollege.org/imaginary-landscapes/

Honored to be named again to Forbes America's Best-in-State Residential Architects list. We appreciate Forbes for the re...
09/26/2026

Honored to be named again to Forbes America's Best-in-State Residential Architects list. We appreciate Forbes for the recognition of our work and the incredible architectural community in NC.

🔗 Check out the full list: www.forbes.com/lists/architects-best-in-state
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09/23/2026

This Fall, discover how Black Mountain College shaped the future of design. Imaginary Landscapes opens Friday. One of our staff, Tyler Housholder, helped to organize this one so we hope you stop by!⁠
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Repost ⁠
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Our next exhibition is coming soon! The current exhibition Black Mountain COLL(A)GE will close after September 5, 2026 and then the Museum will reopen September 25, 2026 for Imaginary Landscapes: Black Mountain College Architecture and Design.⁠
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This exhibition traces the far-reaching impact of Black Mountain College’s design philosophy deeply influenced by Bauhaus ideals across disciplines and generations. It will explore how experimental approaches to materials, pedagogy, and collective living reshaped not only how things were made, but how artists, architects, and thinkers understood the relationship between form and function, people and place, and imagination and environment.⁠
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Imaginary Landscapes is organized by Jeff Arnal, Alice Sebrell, Michael Beggs, Tyler Housholder, and Frédérique Davreux-Hébert, a curatorial fellow made possible through the generous support of the Lyle Bongé Fund, established by the Dusti Bongé Art Foundation.⁠
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Audio is from the Charlie Boss Orchestra performing at the 14th Annual {Re}HAPPENING in 2026⁠
Artwork credits: All artworks are from the BMCM+AC Collection. Robert Bliss, “Lady Murasaki’s Fan Chair,” 1993. A. Lawrence Kocher, Plans for the Studies Building, circa 1937. Hazel Larsen Archer, Buckminster Fuller with Students and the Geodesic Dome, Summer 1949. Sewell (Si) Sillman, Untitled, circa 1948 – 1952. Ruth Asawa, Bentwood Rocker, circa late 1950s - early 1960s. A. Lawrence Kocher, Conversation Chair, 1942. Photo postcard depicting A. Lawrence Kocher’s model for the Studies Builiding at Black Mountain College, early 1940s. Peter Voulkos, Lidded Jar, n.d. ( #📷 bmcmuseum )

Address

78 1/2 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC
28801

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18282531124

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