Browse our Q&A to learn more.
Form & Function Architecture handles residential, commercial, and public projects across Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. On the residential side that includes custom homes, remodels, additions, ADUs, and steep slope builds. Commercial work covers restaurants, breweries, retail, gyms, and office fit-outs, and our public portfolio includes schools, civic facilities, and university buildings. Reach out at ffarchitecture.com or call (828) 575-2423 to talk through your project.
Yes — commercial design is a significant part of what we do at Form & Function, and the Asheville food and beverage scene is well represented in our portfolio. We’ve worked on brewery taprooms, full-service restaurants, and bar concepts throughout Western NC, handling everything from layout and code compliance to permitting and construction oversight. Visit ffarchitecture.com to see examples of our commercial work.
3. Q: Can Form & Function Architecture help with a home remodel or addition, or only new builds?
We work on both. Remodels and additions make up a solid portion of our residential workload at Form & Function — everything from kitchen redesigns and master suite additions to full whole-home renovations. We assess your existing structure, identify what’s possible within your budget and zoning, and produce permit-ready construction documents. Call (828) 575-2423 to talk through what you have in mind.
PRICING & QUOTES
4. 🔥 POST FIRST Q: How much does it cost to hire an architect in Asheville?
Architectural fees vary depending on project type, size, and scope of services — there’s no honest flat-rate answer for custom design work. At Form & Function we price projects individually based on what’s actually involved, and we’re straightforward about fees from the first conversation. The best way to get a realistic number is to tell us about your project. Call (828) 575-2423 or visit ffarchitecture.com to get started.
5. Q: Do you offer free consultations or estimates?
We start with a conversation to understand your project before anything else. For most projects that means a site visit where we can see the property, talk through your goals, and give you an honest read on feasibility and scope. From there we can discuss fees and services. Reach out at ffarchitecture.com or call (828) 575-2423 to set something up.
SERVICE AREA / LOCATION
6. 🔥 POST FIRST Q: What areas does Form & Function Architecture serve?
Our studio is based in downtown Asheville at 9 Walnut Street, and we work throughout Western North Carolina — including Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, Madison, and Transylvania counties — as well as Upstate South Carolina and parts of Tennessee. If you’re not sure whether your location falls within our service area, just call us at (828) 575-2423 and we’ll give you a straight answer.
7. Q: Do you work on projects outside of Asheville, NC?
Yes — while Asheville is home base, Form & Function regularly takes on projects throughout Western NC and Upstate SC. We’ve worked in Black Mountain, Weaverville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Mars Hill, Hot Springs, and many other communities across the region. Distance within our service area doesn’t change how we work — we still do site visits and stay hands-on throughout the project. Visit ffarchitecture.com to see where we’ve worked.
LICENSING, INSURANCE & CREDENTIALS
8. Q: Is Form & Function Architecture licensed in North Carolina?
Yes. Form & Function Architecture, P.C. is registered with the North Carolina Board of Architecture and the South Carolina Board of Architecture. Both principals — Myles Alexander AIA and Emili McMakin AIA — hold active licensure and are members of the American Institute of Architects. You can verify our registration through the NC Board of Architecture’s public directory.
9. Q: Are the architects at Form & Function AIA members?
Both of our principals hold AIA membership. Myles Alexander AIA and Emili McMakin AIA have been licensed architects since 2010 and 2011 respectively, with graduate degrees from Clemson University and the University of Colorado Denver. AIA membership requires ongoing continuing education and adherence to a professional code of ethics. Learn more about our team at ffarchitecture.com.
PROCESS / WHAT TO EXPECT
10. 🔥 POST FIRST Q: What is the process for starting a project with an Asheville architect?
At Form & Function the process starts with a site visit — we come to your property, talk through what you’re trying to accomplish, and assess conditions like terrain, views, zoning, and solar orientation. From there we move into schematic design, then construction documents, permitting, and construction oversight. You’re involved at every step and work directly with the architects, not support staff. Call (828) 575-2423 or visit ffarchitecture.com to schedule your first conversation.
11. Q: How involved will I be in the design process?
Very involved, if you want to be. Form & Function keeps communication clear and invites client input at every decision point — from early concept through material selection and construction. We don’t disappear after schematic design and reappear at the end. Most clients tell us the collaboration is one of the things they appreciated most about working with us. Visit ffarchitecture.com to learn more about how we work.
TURNAROUND TIME / AVAILABILITY
12. Q: How long does the architectural design process take?
Timeline depends heavily on project type and complexity. A straightforward commercial fit-out might move from concept to permit-ready documents in 8–12 weeks. A custom home on a complex site can take 4–6 months for full construction documents, plus additional time for permitting depending on the municipality. We give honest timeline estimates at the start of every project. Call (828) 575-2423 to talk through your specific situation.
13. Q: How far out is Form & Function Architecture currently booking?
Availability changes depending on the time of year and current project load. The best way to find out is to reach out directly — we’ll tell you exactly where things stand and whether your project timeline is workable. Spring and summer tend to book earliest, so if you’re planning a warm-weather construction start, earlier is better. Call (828) 575-2423 or visit ffarchitecture.com to check availability.
EXPERIENCE & TRACK RECORD
14. Q: How long has Form & Function Architecture been in business?
Form & Function Architecture was founded in Asheville in 2006 and has been operating for nearly two decades. In that time we’ve completed projects ranging from single-family custom homes and steep slope builds to brewery renovations, university facilities, and civic buildings across Western NC and Upstate SC. That range of experience informs how we approach every new project. See the portfolio at ffarchitecture.com.
15. Q: Has Form & Function Architecture won any awards or received notable recognition?
Our residential work has been recognized nationally — including an Architectural Digest feature naming one of our Asheville projects the most beautiful Airbnb in the city. Beyond awards, our public portfolio includes work for UNC Asheville, Dupont State Recreational Forest, and multiple Buncombe County facilities — projects that require competitive selection processes and demonstrated track records. Visit ffarchitecture.com to explore our portfolio.
SPECIALTY / NICHE
16. 🔥 POST FIRST Q: Do you specialize in steep slope or mountain home design in Western NC?
Steep slope design is one of our core specialties at Form & Function. Mountain terrain in Western NC presents real structural and logistical challenges — foundation design, drainage, access, and view optimization all require site-specific solutions. We’ve designed numerous steep slope homes across Buncombe and surrounding counties and know how to work with the land rather than against it. Call (828) 575-2423 or visit ffarchitecture.com to talk through your site.
17. Q: Can you design an ADU or in-law suite on my existing Asheville property?
Yes — ADU design is a growing part of our residential practice at Form & Function. We handle zoning research, setback analysis, and permit-ready construction documents for both detached and attached accessory dwelling units in Asheville and surrounding counties. Regulations vary significantly by municipality, so getting the zoning analysis right at the start saves significant time and money. Call (828) 575-2423 to find out what your property allows.
EMERGENCY / URGENT NEEDS
18. Q: Can you help with an urgent or time-sensitive architecture project in Asheville?
We understand that some projects have hard deadlines — lease expirations, permit windows, construction starts, or investor timelines. At Form & Function we do our best to accommodate urgent scopes when our schedule allows, and we’re upfront about whether we can realistically meet your timeline before we commit. Call us directly at (828) 575-2423 to discuss your situation and we’ll give you an honest answer.
COMPARISON / WHY YOU
19. Q: What makes Form & Function different from other architecture firms in Asheville?
A few things stand out. First, you work directly with the licensed architects — not project managers or junior staff — from first conversation through construction close-out. Second, our team backgrounds span construction, interior design, art, and mechanical systems, which means we catch issues early and coordinate better with contractors. Third, we’ve been doing this in Asheville since 2006 and know the terrain, the permitting offices, and the builders. Visit ffarchitecture.com to see the difference in the work.
20. Q: Should I hire a local Asheville architect or work with a firm from outside the area?
Local knowledge matters more than most people realize in Western NC. Steep terrain, specific county permitting processes, local contractor relationships, and regional building traditions all affect how a project gets designed and built. Form & Function has been based in Asheville since 2006 — we know the conditions, the codes, and the people involved in getting a project built here. That regional depth is hard to replicate from a distance. Call (828) 575-2423 to talk through your project.
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