Samsel Architects named firm of the year by NC Chapter, American Institute of Architects

The Asheville firm, Samsel Architects, received the prestigious Firm Award, as well as two residential design awards, from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA NC) at a recent ceremony in Winston-Salem. The Firm Award is given every year to one North Carolina practice that has consistently produced quality architecture with a verifiable level of client satisfaction for at least 10 years. This award is the highest honor the Chapter can bestow upon an architecture group.

Since 1985, Samsel Architects has delivered quality design grounded in a keen sense of place and detail, stewardship of the environment, and strong client relationships.

“Samsel Architects is widely held in high esteem for their design excellence and civic leadership in not only our community, but the state and the Southeast region,” said Alan McGuinn, FAIA, LEED AP of Arca Design who was one of the firm's five nominators for the top award.

Samsel Architects also received two 2016 Design Awards during the ceremony.

●      A Residential AIA NC Honor Award was given to The Hammock House, a home that brings a distinctly modern element to a rural farm. The home is a modern interpretation of utilitarian farm structures in the area and is carefully sited around a towering old-growth oak tree.

●      A Residential AIA NC Merit Award was given to the Fontana Lake House, a contemporary retreat nestled into the hillside above Fontana Lake. This home achieved a LEED Gold certification; a rating system conceived by the United States Green Building Council that assesses the environmental performance of a home.

Historic preservation and the revitalization of downtown Asheville have been at the heart of Samsel Architects’ work since its founding. The firm has also designed award-winning residential, commercial, education and hospitality projects around Western North Carolina and the Southeast.

Principals Duncan McPherson and Nathan Bryant and firm founder Jim Samsel are humbled by the nomination and recognition. “We are very honored to receive this award,” Samsel said.  “We want to thank past and present staff who have made significant contributions to our success.  The firm looks forward to many more years of collaborating with great people on quality design.” 

For more information on the AIA NC Firm Award, visit www.aiancawards.org. For more information about Samsel Architects and the winning projects, visit www.samselarchitects.com.