Andrew Willett Architect

04/10/2026

So I did a pretty fun little exercise this week. I have a client that wants to redo their patio to include an outdoor spa. The program included a sauna, a cold plunge tub, a 7' dia. hot tub, an outdoor shower, and reworking of a waterfall termination pool. That is a lot of disparate stuff to get to communicate together in happy terms. Using some skills I've learn from my landscape architect pals, some good ol' renaissance drafting geometry skills, and my own gardening vibe, I think I came up with something that feels pretty great. Thanks to Osgood for the final push towards potential greatness, and the opportunity and trust of this client. I think this will be "kick ass"....and that is exactly what the client asked for. I'll keep you posted.

12/03/2025

This November we hit a milestone. Willett Architecture celebrated its 20th birthday...all of which were spent right here at 88 Church St!! There have been amazing productive years, some lean ones, 195 clients, floods hurricanes, covid, personal ups n downs, two kids raised by the income from, some of the projects were build some were not. We have been blessed to have many many wonderful clients...some, not so much, but you don't have to see eye to eye with everyone now do you? The most successful projects have been those where the client had an open mind, where "I have not seen that before" was a positive not a confusion point...an opportunity to be bold, be different. For me, it is the work that inspires me everyday; but just as much, it's the relationships with the clients that give me joy. There is no other professional relationship one engages in life where you spend so much time with each other. Some clients I spend 100-200 hours talking to...I have dear friends I have not talked to that much in a lifetime!

All this to say, I love my job, and I am inspired by what can come out of this brain! 30 years in the biz...and while I am not a master at all this, I'm getting darn close. "Professional Wisdom" has been achieved to say the least. I'm proud of all I have done and I have lots more in me to go. Every now and again it's ok to pat yourself on the back, and I'd say 20 years is a good point to do just that.

!! Congrats to 20 years Willett Architecture !!

below are just a few things we did this year.....more to come...

09/05/2025

Still having fun on 88 Church. Come on by anytime and see what I am up to...

07/04/2025

Please check out the segment on the S&W Market. I was honored to be a part of this piece about one of Asheville’s most spectacular landmarks. Pretty cool as this is at the top of my street and I walk past this building 3 times a week for the last 20 years. I think I did pretty well!! Please give it a watch and come visit the ol’ S&W!

NC Weekend visits mountain locales in western NC that are excited to welcome back tourists as the area recovers from Hurricane Helene.

06/03/2025

Sure do love to draw!!! A life of hard work has paid off. House is at 3800ft, so needs to withstand 140mph winds. Thats my biggest wind load yet...I got it tied down real good!!

02/13/2025

This is not an exciting post, this is a post of wisdom of action and perseverance. We recently finished a renovation of 88 Church. The location of my business for the last 20 years....it was time. I have been thinking of the front sign for many many years. The impetus for the sign actually came from a request fr/ Chris Parker to design an ampitheatre (yes theatre b/c those are the cool ones), it was to be called Jackson Downs and named after his son. I designed this cool signage for the entry to this cool amphitheater....I always loved the vibe. For all of my personal builds, I like to add a few projects I take on my own. For the office it was the entry heavy timber work and the signage. I have been gathering rocks for about 2 years off our mountain property, stacking them in piles, moving the piles closer to the top, then finally loading them up in the FJ and bringing (4) loads down the mountain. Over the next 8 days I laid the stones. Though I have done stacked stone walls at home, I have never laid with mortar. I took my time, I stacked, I stepped back, changed a few things, I rested and started again the next day. It was physically quite challenging and it kicked my butt. Never start a fight with a stone mason, he will just squash you with his fist! I think it turned out real nice.

Where is the wisdom? The wisdom of building is it take lots of time, it takes many steps. As we age, as society goes faster, there are not too many task that take weeks, months, years. A man stopped me and I told him it was my first time laying stone, he said "bu****it". Per above, I told him with mortar at least. He said well you look pro. I said, "any man can do anything if he just works at it, gives time to think about it, and just keeps at it....you can so this too!" I like task that take a long time....the results can be very very rewarding. Perseverance, pays off.

Please come by and visit anytime, locals and friends from afar. I'm hanging up the last pictures next week. I got ten more years in me. Let me design....I love it!

03/29/2024

Today I completed one of my best. It's a nice house for sure, but the drawing package and comprehensiveness it all is The Best I have done to date. I am indeed Practicing Architecture, and getting better at it. A 50+ YO architect is a force. Enjoy my nerd...and line weight matters (silly engineers)...

12/22/2023

And thats a wrap 2023....we made the world a prettier place this year. More to come!!

11/01/2023

Celebrating 18 years self employment, 35 years in the biz, skills increasing, mind still sharp and nimble...more to come!!

10/28/2023

I have a deep love for all things Art Nouveau. This rail...though small in scale is one of the most beautiful things I have EVER designed. Huge call out to Eric Valleca for the inspiration of shape and ex*****on on my vision. Never could have achieved this level on sexy AF in steel without him. This is...well I think it's wonderful. Architecture matters....

09/22/2023

We just did some rebranding and started fresh with a new website for the firm. Check our our new look and what we are laying down. We are having fun in the mountains of WNC for sure.

AWillettArchitect.com