Vellum Architecture & Design has spent over a decade perfecting what they call “Native Modern™” architecture—a blend of clean, contemporary design with the warmth and authenticity of the mountains. Their custom residential architecture in Asheville proves that modern can be both timeless and place-specific, rooted in the landscape yet open to the future.

Modernism, Reimagined for the Mountains

In cities, modern architecture can be sleek and urban; in Asheville, it must also be responsive. Mountain slopes, seasonal light, and the desire for a strong indoor-outdoor connection guide every design decision.

Glass isn’t just for style—it’s carefully placed to frame ridge views and capture morning light. Local stone, steel, and wood are chosen not only for their look, but for how they age gracefully in mountain weather. Outdoor living spaces—screened porches, decks, terraces—are part of the architecture, blurring the boundary between inside and out. Read More!

Mass timber construction is a way to build using engineered wood products (EPWs) such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), glue-laminated timber (glulam) and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) as strong, load-bearing structural elements. Mass timber panels use multiple layers of lumber and glue together in alternating direction, which provides added strength, fire resistance and durability than conventional framing with 2x lumber.

The mass timber industry is not just trendy, it’s a movement towards a more sustainable, economically viable, and human-centered future. Although mass timber construction may seem expensive up front, the savings in operational costs, environmental impact through carbon reduction, and well-being make it a better investment for the world ahead. Contact us today!

We work collaboratively with each client so that we learn the habits of their lifestyle, site context and vision translating those ideas into thoughtful and considered architectural solutions. At Vellum Architecture with an emphasis on context, and with respect for craft, we will create spaces that feel grounded, purposeful, and timeless. From concept to construction, Vellum Architecture will provide complete design services for residential projects, and help ensure a seamless and gratifying planning and building process, with the best results possible. Vellum Architecture can be your partner for collaborate, high-quality, residential architectural services Asheville, as you build your new home you have always dreamed about.

Latest Trends for Residential Architectural Designs

As residential architectural designs continue to evolve, new trends focus on technological advancements and styles that reflect a simpler lifestyle and more authentic experiences. Here is a list of some of those trends.

Incorporation of Industrial Elements & Style

Many new home designs are reflecting a more agrarian and industrial nature. Exposing structural elements such as steel beams, roof trusses, and other functional elements help tell the story of the structure. You will also see a lot more raw material finishes versus the traditional refined palates of the past. Even countertops have gone to more rough and varied finishes like flamed granite. This trend stems from an interest in a more authentic and informal approach to design. Look for more rustic finishes but used in more simple modern ways.

Minimalism at its Zenith

In a quest to simplify and unclutter our lives, minimalist design has grown in popularity. The days of crowded bookshelves filled with mementos and other collected art and items are gone. Focusing on the clarity of purpose and function, designs have been pared down to only what is essential. Ornamentation in architectural detail is eliminated to create simplified spaces where light and texture are more present and celebrated. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that these designs are easier to pull off. There is no hiding behind trim and other elements. Execution is paramount, and there is a cost to make that happen.

Bringing Nature In

Home design Asheville are striving to be as close to nature as possible. This can start with large glazing areas opening to the outdoor environment but can also include interior design decisions with the home. By bringing colors, materials, and textures from nature into the finish palate, the home becomes fresher and more relaxing. Materials like rattan, bamboo, and wood, along with flowers and plants, make a wonderful combination. Soft accessories and furnishings like organic cotton, linen, and wool also help to embrace the modern organic style.

Home Automation

Residential architectural designs are leveraging technology for a smarter and more comfortable environment. Automation in the home has become a big trend in the custom residential space, providing increased functionality and security. These systems connect with devices throughout the house, including lighting, HVAC, and security systems. It promotes easy access and control to doors, temperature, lights, blinds, cameras, and much more.

Remodeling and Building Restoration

Given the skyrocketing costs of building that we have seen over the last year, many people are turning to restoration and remodeling as a way to access more modern and cost-effective solutions. Old neighborhoods are being revitalized by younger generations seeking more authentic communities and lifestyles. These communities are commonly closer to urban centers and provide a more walkable environment. Many older homes in these areas have great design features that are hard to find in newer homes, like masonry fireplaces and hardwood detailing. By renovating these older structures, homeowners can integrate more modern finishes and features while still celebrating the original craftsmanship. It helps preserve the city’s cultural heritage, lowers the rate of over-development, and reduces the environmental impact of new developments.

Modular Residential Architectural Designs

In an effort to lower overall building costs and reduce overall construction time, developers and designers are turning more and more to modular building systems. The term ‘modular’ has somewhat of a stigma to it and is unjustly tied to mobile homes and other lower-quality housing solutions. In reality, today’s modular and componentized building systems allow for high-quality solutions while still reducing labor costs and increasing construction speeds. Systems like Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) are becoming more common and will continue to revolutionize the building industry.

In conclusion, new home designs will become increasingly efficient and streamlined, with a particular emphasis on healthier and natural living. Developing through more economical means will be essential, and sustainability will remain influential in every way we build. At Vellum, we believe in building a greener future through the designs we create. Contact us today!

Our work demonstrates a strong connection to Asheville's natural beauty and cultural heritage while embracing the fundamental principles of modern design; simplicity, clarity, and efficiency. Vellum Architecture does great custom mountain homes and really cool dynamic commercial spaces and we know balance creativity, accuracy, and collaboration to the project. We love to take ideas and transform them into built environments that inspire, perform and endure. Contact us today!

The experience reinforces a commitment to context and experience. Occupying a modest area for a house, the residence will allow the gentle topography of the site to remain undisturbed, and an affirming sense of retreat and separation from the tissue of development surrounding the site. The linear nature of the composition allows for minimized environmental impact by reducing the site disturbance of a house, and also allows for uninterrupted solar orientation while allowing for far distant mountain vistas through an intentional visual axis.

Form and Function in Dialogue

The plan of the house is visibly sectionalized between public and private, breaking down the roof forms that define them, too. Whereas the private areas—mainly bedrooms—are nestled under a series of gabled roofs, using combinations of forms recognized from familiar vernacular language, and thus promoting a sense of enclosure and intimacy. While the public areas take shape under low-slope roof planes that horizontally extend out, promoting visual connection to the horizon and large openings to the landscape.

The linear plan is anchored on the north and south by two programmatic Areas; the master suite to the south and the garage to the north. The overall usable living areas open outward to the north, east and west to allow maximum daylight and utilize the amazing views. The continuous clerestory band along the north edge of the living area provides a phenomenal quality of daylight that is soft and diffused, subsequently reducing the need for artificial light, while at the same time heightening an awareness of changing daylight conditions.

Blurring Boundaries Between Inside and Out

A quintessential feature of the house is the central screened porch, which is an intentional part of the open-plan living area. The porch serves as a transition space, merging the interior and exterior, allowing the landscape to permeate everyday life and anchoring the house to the cadence of the land.

The house is more than a residence; it is a quiet, grounded refuge that responds elegantly to its surroundings. The house provides a refined balance of shelter and openness, solitude and connection, domesticity and wild beauty outside its walls.

Conclusion

The design is characterized by its restraint, its sensitivity to context, and its material honesty. Through careful manipulation of form, light, and material, the home fosters a deep connection to the Blue Ridge landscape while providing a serene and purposeful living environment. Contact us today!

What is mass timber?

Mass timber is a type of engineered wood product that can include cross-laminated timber (CLT), glue-laminated timber (glulam), dowel-laminated timber (DLT), and more. These large, prefabricated panels can be used to build floors, walls, structural frames, and other components.

Mass timber has all the strength and durability of steel and concrete, which makes it an amazing alternative to traditional light wood framing for residential or commercial building.

Understanding Mass Timber Construction Costs

One of the most common questions that we get at Vellum Architecture is, “How does mass timber construction costs compare to traditional building methods?”

The short answer is, a thorough look at both direct and indirect costs:

Upfront Costs

• Material Costs: Mass timber panels may seem more expensive per square foot than traditional framing lumber, but this is frequently compensated for by reduced labor, quicker build times and fewer delays at the job site.

• Design & Engineering: Mass timber requires architects and engineers who have experience designing with mass timber from a structural behavior point of view. Although this will require a slight expenditure in the early design phase, it will save you a lot in the long run.

Labor & Time Savings

• Faster Construction: Prefab timber panels are manufactured offsite and necessarily assembled onsite with less labor means significantly reduced construction times.

• Lower Labor Costs: There are less trades on site compared to technologies like steel and concrete. This lowers the potential labor costs and complexity overall.

Operational & Lifecycle Benefits

• Energy Efficiency: Mass timber is naturally insulating and can limit heating and cooling loads over time.

• Durability & Maintenance: Proper detailing and protection will allow mass timber to last for decades with minimal maintenance.

When considering total project budgets, mass timber construction may be less (or similar) in cost to CMU (concrete masonry unit) - dependent on time of construction, energy performance, and lifecycle cost.

Designing for the Future: Benefits of Mass Timber Construction Building

Beyond cost, the advantages of mass timber make it an innovative choice cutting-edge design. Here are some reasons mass timber is the future of sustainable building:

1. Environmental Sustainability

Mass timber comes from renewable lumber resources typically harvested from sustainably managed forests. It is a carbon store all through its lifetime and, when compared to steel and concrete, becomes a significant reduction in a building's carbon footprint.

2. Biophilic Design

Humans feel better when built environments are made from wood. Natural materials such as timber provide wellness benefits and reduced stress, and they warm the environments we inhabit—especially critical in homes, schools, and places of work.

3. Structural Integrity

Engineered timber is very strong. It has excellent performance in both tension and compression and can be applicable in multi-story buildings with good fire resistance (if charring layers protect the core).

4. Design Flexibility

Whether it's compact urban dwellings or large commercial structures, mass timber allows for inventive architecture with exposed timber beams, tall ceilings, and open floor plans.

5. Speed of Construction

Time is money in any project. Time is money on any project! With mass timber prefabricated elements, the on site construction time is greatly reduced, disturbances are reduced and the turnover can happen quicker.

Why Vellum Architecture Chooses Mass Timber

At Vellum Architecture, we are more than designers. We partner in sustainable, smart building. With our expertise in mass timber construction, we can help ourselves integrate this new material into projects that consider both utility and the future.

We work with our clients, engineers, and fabricators through the design process to make sure the mass timber build- from design and planning to budgeting and to building- is managed in a way that considers aesthetics, quality, and efficiency.

Our team is positioned to help clients evaluate mass timber construction costs early in the development process, while providing realistic expectations, and identifying avenues for savings and long-term value.

Who Should Consider Mass Timber?

Mass timber is ideal for:

• Custom Residential Homes – Warm, modern, energy efficient

• Commercial Buildings – Offices, retail, mixed-use

• Hospitality & Community Centers – Enriching experience, and durability

• Educational Buildings – Natural experience that is calming and sustainable

Whether you are a homeowner and want to build an original modern get-a-way or a developer developing a commercial space that performs at a higher level – mass timber will elevate your vision in very meaningful ways.

Ready to Build with Timber? Contact Us

As the demand for buildings that are beautiful, environmentally friendly, and structurally unique increases, Vellum Architecture is ready to support the industry with expertise in mass timber construction building.

If you’re curious about design possibilities, project feasibility, or how mass timber construction costs could align with your goals, don’t hesitate to Contact us. Let's talk about how your next project can be looking toward the future as well as well-designed and stunningly built - designed with intent and built for the future.

We are a leader in the sustainable design movement. Our design philosophy is deeply rooted in the concept of place making, which recognizes the unique beauty and importance of each site, as well as the importance of respecting and enhancing a project’s surroundings. Vellum is dedicated to thoughtful innovation in design and architecture.

“Our firm is thrilled to accept the 2021 award for Best New Firm – South,” said our Founding Principal and Owner, Mark Rudolf. “We recognize that design is not a linear process, but a collection of decisions that come together to define space and respond to surroundings. Utilizing analog and digital methodologies, we take our clients on a journey of design and exploration. Read More!