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Just south of Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest and west of Lake Lanier lies The Falls at Forsyth, a 350+ unit multifamily community in Cumming, Georgia. Set on 60 acres of rolling North Georgia Highlands green space, water was a clear feature of the landscape, with a small creek bisecting the property and emptying into a larger stream near the back.
On the Owner’s request, we sought to keep a sense of flowing water on the site, orienting six, three-and-four-story apartment buildings, nine townhome-style units, and a handful of communal spaces to nestle between the streams that surround the site. Enter from the front of the property and you’re also met with an ornamental tower with waterfall to complete the visual.
Inside the units the feeling of spaciousness continues, with a light, bright, modern vibe of neutral grays and white countertops. Larger, two-bedroom units have separate den/study areas off the master bedroom, and some even feature chef’s kitchens large enough to seat and feed a small crowd. That clean, contemporary space is wrapped in what we’d call “mountain cabin-lite,” with heavy timbers and rough-hewn shake siding, open trusses and soaring wood-clad ceilings throughout the common spaces. It’s a refreshing contrast that also makes The Falls at Forsyth immediately feel like a woodland resort. The effect is warm and communal – welcoming in residents who flock to get leases signed and move-in dates secured.
An historic “Georgia Highlands cabin” aesthetic is a pretty recognizable thing, one we were challenged to create using modern materials. Solid timber beams and other rustic details proved too expensive for the project’s large scale. To solve the problem, but still achieve the look we dreamed of, our design team got creative. Clubhouse interiors received realistic looking faux timber ceilings, and the liberal application of a variety of different textures and colors helped the facades feel warm and rustically appropriate. Our favorite part of this project however was helping plan a place designed to create community—not unlike an old-school mountain village but with a modern makeover.
