Old Trail Heights is the embodiment of mixed-use living, taking advantage of the convenience of the walkable urban village at Old Trail in a site that allows for exceptional views and a connection to the outdoors. With many restaurants, services, parks, trails, and community amenities within walking distance, Old Trail Heights feels like its in the heart of an urban core, and it was important to design a building that supplemented and reinforced this architecturally-diverse town center. But look out the window and the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains take hold. So it was equally important for each unit to have a strong connection to the outside, with huge windows and at least one large balcony per unit (several units have multiple balconies) that take advantage of the unique site. This juxtaposition of rural living in an urban town center is what sets Old Trail apart from other neighborhoods - and was the driving design inspiration for Old Trail Heights.

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The building form itself represents these two moments coming together, as well. The three-story residential metal-clad towers relate in height and scale to the adjacent town homes - representing the urban village at Old Trail. The wooden building form and butterfly roof is a nod to the pastoral setting and rolling Blue Ridge Mountains beyond - the more natural, organic moment within the building form where the rational, structural organization breaks down.

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Porous, transparent, and engaging, Old Trail Heights fills a missing tooth in the development of the urban village. It's easy to envision future residents relaxing on the numerous balconies, calling to their neighbors below, or walking the dog out the front door and onto adjacent green space, or meeting up for a cup of coffee at the cafe across the street. Easily legible and appropriately scaled, Old Trail Heights continues and enhances this vitality that is found at the Village while providing luxurious residences that provide an undeniable connection to the landscape.

Kevin Schafer - project architect