The 3 projects which sought to modernize Downtown Knoxville
Downtown Knoxville has always been an important part of East Tennessee. But Downtown Knoxville wasn’t always on the cutting edge of modern design. So, in 1957, a group of local business owners created the Downtown Knoxville Alliance (DKA), an advocacy group whose goal was to “promote the downtown district as
Davis House by Bruce McCarty
Structure: Charles Davis HouseLocation: Knoxville, TennesseeArchitect: Bruce McCartyDate: 1960Tidbit: Charles B. Davis was a co-founder of a Knoxville advertising firm called Lavidge & Davis. There's also a potential that he worked at the ad agency Davis Newman Payne. Newspaper portrait of Charles B. Davis At some point, he contracted architect Bruce
Hamilton National Bank by Robert B. Church III
Structure: Hamilton National Bank, Bearden BranchLocation: Knoxville, TennesseeArchitect: Robert B. Church IIIDate: 1974Story: Banking, as we know it, has been around for centuries. In the early days of what we might call "modern banking" (think the 1800s), banks wanted to project stability and safety. Their architecture reflected that goal (see,
House by (and for) Thomas Faires
Structure: Thomas F. Faires ResidenceLocation: Memphis, TennesseeArchitect: Thomas F. FairesDate: 1960Tidbit: The houses architects design for themselves are always interesting to observe. Today, we’re looking at the house of a prominent Memphis architect named Thomas F. Faires. The literature is pretty sparse on Faires. What we do know, is this: Faires
Bramlett Motor Hotel by Frank Lloyd Wright
Structure: Bramlett Enterprises Motor Hotel (unbuilt)Location: Memphis, TennesseeArchitect: Frank Lloyd WrightDate: 1956Story: Tennessee Motor Hotels (aka motels) in the 1950s were a fantastic thing. The recently bourgeoning middle class (fueled by the return of WWII troops) led to an increase in cars, car travel, and car recreation such as trekking
Garlinghouse Plan #8160
Structure: Garlinghouse Plan #8160Location: Knoxville, TennesseeDate: 1957Tidbit: In the mid-century era, a house didn't have to be custom to be architect designed. You see, architects would often design and submit their house plans to house plan books / catalogues. Sometimes, the plan book companies would send employees out across the
Newton House by Robert Judd
Structure: Donald Newton houseLocation: Knoxville, TennesseeArchitect: Robert JuddDate: 1968Story: Today’s story starts (as many of them do) with a real estate listing. As I was perusing old Zillow listings, I came across a beautiful house made of glass, wood, and natural stone. Down below the photos, the listing contained this funny
The Modernist Fraternities of University of Knoxville, Tennessee
In 1965, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) decided that it was time to upgrade their Greek life. The school proposed a Fraternity Park, complete with 13 new frat houses…all designed by local architects. The frat houses were designed around a common property that included streets, sidewalks, parking, and recreation areas.
Smith House I & II by Carl Maples
R.C. Smith Jr was a young city councilman. So young, in fact, that when he ran (at the age of 26) the local paper ran a piece discussing just how young he actually was. After being elected as a councilman, he was appointed as Knoxville’s law director. His particular area
2 Houses by Alfred Clauss & Jane West Clauss
Alright. Where to even start. Alfred Clauss was a German architect. Born in 1906 (in Munich), he started his architectural career working for Karl Schneider. Alfred then did a short stint in Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s studio (helping to design the German Pavilion for the 1929 Barcelona Exposition). He