ARCA Design, PLLC

ARCA Design, PLLC Innovative
Inclusive
Inspired
Architecture ARCA is Latin for ARK, a container that affords protection and safety. What do we mean by inclusive?

This is the essence of shelter, the foundation of architecture. Architecture is a collaborative effort achieved through dialogue. A participatory design approach creates architecture that is sensitive to the needs of the client, program, and inhabitants. We believe the best ideas should win – regardless of whether it comes from our client, our consultants, or our heads. We enjoy discovering what o

ur clients think, and we enjoy seeing our clients “own” their projects by inserting some of themselves into the process. We have led visioning exercises and “problem-seeking” sessions with clients from developers to math professors for projects such as schools, retirement centers, even to private residences. Innovation can sneak up on you. A creative approach to architecture fosters change that creates a new dimension of performance. New ideas develop through questioning and re-evaluating standard design solutions. We like to test our assumptions, look for different ways to solve the problem, re-examine the constraints, and try to find a way to make the project work. We are often tasked with projects and sites that others could not make work – and we enjoy being part of the solution that does. Architecture should be more than just a business transaction; it should be a creative experience. Architects should bring a creative energy to a project that is inspired by the client, program, site, and context. We find inspiration in the brick details of the building across the street, in the curve of a plow handle, or the fact that the client wants to fly a kite out of his bedroom window. We want to find delight in our designs as we have delighted in the ideas expressed by our peers – those who work beside us and those who have gone before.

Exciting developments are underway at the project, where construction is going vertical with a steel and wood structure...
04/09/2026

Exciting developments are underway at the project, where construction is going vertical with a steel and wood structure for the future community room, offering a bird's-eye view of downtown Bryson City and the surrounding mountains.

I guess wildlife encounters during site visits shouldn’t entirely be a surprise when your project is at the ! We did ver...
04/02/2026

I guess wildlife encounters during site visits shouldn’t entirely be a surprise when your project is at the ! We did verify that this inspector didn’t escape from the reptile exhibit, which is ironically next door to our site.

Some projects advance rapidly, while others, like this residential lodge in Black Mountain for a camp, conference, and r...
03/31/2026

Some projects advance rapidly, while others, like this residential lodge in Black Mountain for a camp, conference, and retreat center, unfold over a longer period. Although program requirements and client needs may shift during this process, maintaining design flexibility can frequently yield more effective and refined solutions.

We’ve been sitting on this one for a while, but have had a blast over the past year or so working on this project for th...
02/18/2026

We’ve been sitting on this one for a while, but have had a blast over the past year or so working on this project for the ! The Phillips Family will provide the zoo with a new international farmyard exhibit and interactive space, as well as a second floor event venue, and two detached animal exhibits. Construction has been underway for a few months and we can’t wait to continue to share updates along the way.

Merry Christmas from the crew at ARCA Design! We wish you all a blessed holiday season!
12/23/2025

Merry Christmas from the crew at ARCA Design! We wish you all a blessed holiday season!

Excited to unveil a recently-completed office building for in East Flat Rock. An office space for a German polymer manu...
03/06/2025

Excited to unveil a recently-completed office building for in East Flat Rock.

An office space for a German polymer manufacturing company needed to reflect a culture of precision and simplicity. The solution is a simple rectangular prism that is striated with apertures and cladding variations. Contained within us a central courtyard that allows natural light to infiltrate all office spaces and provide a place of respite for employees. Plus, it’s always fun when the client wants to get out of the box with color choices!

🔨:
📷: Neil Asher

For todays post we’re looking back to a residence that we designed a couple of years ago here in WNC. In following our...
03/03/2025

For todays post we’re looking back to a residence that we designed a couple of years ago here in WNC. In following our ethos of contextual design, the project drew inspiration from the classic “dogtrot” configuration, while the employing modern materials and detailing. As with many of our regional projects, interfacing with the site and its topography were of paramount importance, as well as the challenge of this property’s north-facing slope.

Sadly, sometimes projects get put on pause for extended periods of time, or simply get put out to pasture for any numb...
02/24/2025



Sadly, sometimes projects get put on pause for extended periods of time, or simply get put out to pasture for any number of reasons. We’re going to feature some of those projects with a recurring post to highlight some of our favorites.

For this week’s edition we’re highlighting a project here in WNC to transform a driving range into a golf entertainment complex featuring covered hitting bays, a training and teaching complex, and a full service food and beverage offering. Here’s to hoping this one comes back to life!

The Marianna Black Library has provided Bryson City and the surrounding area with services and technologies for many yea...
02/21/2025

The Marianna Black Library has provided Bryson City and the surrounding area with services and technologies for many years, resulting in the need for additional and updated spaces. We’ve had the privilege to work with the library over the past year to develop expansion and renovation plans to accommodate their needs with facilities that will include a career & technology center, multi-purpose community room, and an Appalachian studies room just to name a few. We’re excited to see this project break ground on construction in the coming months.

Solar orientation, wind direction, views, approach, slope, etc. All factors that go into the site analysis and initial c...
11/15/2024

Solar orientation, wind direction, views, approach, slope, etc. All factors that go into the site analysis and initial conceptual design for any project. For our latest project in Haywood County that just broke ground, slope and solar orientation were some of the most important.

All team members of ARCA Design are safe. While some of us have dealt with damage and loss of services, it’s mere inconv...
10/15/2024

All team members of ARCA Design are safe. While some of us have dealt with damage and loss of services, it’s mere inconvenience compared to some of the devastation that others in our community have faced. Along with our fellow Western North Carolinians, in the days following Hurricane Helene we have been serving our communities in different capacities, and want to continue to do so as we transition back into our professional work. To do so, we are offering complementary consultations for any businesses in WNC that have been damaged by the storm. We have extensive experience with floodplain development in our area and would love to use that knowledge and experience to help our neighbors get back on their feet. Please either reach out to us directly, or visit our website at arca-design.com to contact us.

Address

12 Church Street, Suite 25
Asheville, NC
28801

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18772722057

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