The Modernist Houses of Timberlake
In 1947, a group called Maloney Heights Inc. purchased a large, forested lot right off of Alcoa Highway with a singular goal: turn the area (dubbed Timberlake) into a subdivision designed for the group members to live in. Maloney Heights Lot Reservation Map (1948) (© Maloney Heights, Inc.) Maloney Heights Inc. was
Smoky Mountain Cabin by Allen Lape Davison
Structure: Bill Davison CabinLocation: Gatlinburg, TennesseeArchitect: Allen Lape "Davy" DavisonDate: 1968Story: Before Frank Lloyd Wright passed away (in 1959), he founded Taliesin Associated Architects, an architectural firm comprised of his apprentices. Led by architect William Wesley Peters, the firm’s goal was to advance Wright’s vision and complete any in-process projects
R.F. Graf House by Herbert Graf
Structure: R.F. Graf HouseLocation: Knoxville, TennesseeArchitect: Herbert GrafDate: 1923Tidbit: In the early 1900s, Knoxville had an architectural firm called R.F. Graf & Sons, a firm comprised of architect R.F. Graf working alongside his architect sons (a family business, you know?). At some point, one of the sons (Herbert) left the firm to
Daniel House by James Fitzgibbon
Structure: Dr. Robert Daniel HouseLocation: Knoxville, TennesseeArchitect: James FitzgibbonDate: 1947Story: In the early 1940s, the University of Oklahoma had two professors, Dr. Daniel and Prof. James Fitzgibbon. Dr. Daniel was a rockstar English professor in his mid 20s. Prof. Fitzgibbon was in charge of campus planning, and taught at the architecture school.
Residence by (and for) Harold Hahn
Structure: Harold Hahn ResidenceLocation: Farragut, TennesseeArchitect: Harold K. HahnDate: 1970Tidbit: Modernist architecture arrives in different areas at different times. In East Tennessee, it trickles in during the 1950s, and then goes full force in the mid 1960s due in large part to the creation of the University of Tennessee’s school of architecture
Livingston House by Richard Neutra
Structure: Philip Livingston HouseLocation: Chattanooga, TennesseeArchitect: Richard NeutraDate: 1955Story: Sometimes, when you see a marvelous mid-century house, your heart starts to flutter. If it flutters too much, you’ll need to go see a cardiologist. Now, as luck would have it, the owner of the house we're featuring in this blog was indeed
The 3 Mystery Houses of Vista Road
I try to fill this blog full of details, architects, and backstories…but sometimes you’ve just gotta share a mystery. Perched up on a high hill are three mid-century houses that sit right next to each other. The houses give off a strong Prairie Style vibe (a-la Frank Lloyd Wright) but
Knoph House by Felder Weeks
Structure: Nic Knoph HouseLocation: Knoxville, TennesseeArchitect: Felder WeeksDate: 1967Tidbit: Nic Knoph was ready to build his dream home and he wanted it to have a stunning view (as dream homes are wont to do). So he selected a site on a sheer cliff overlooking Fort Loudon Lake. He enlisted local architect Felder
Shaw House by George Fred Keck
Architects (and brothers) William & George Fred Keck were thrilled. They had been asked to design a "House of Tomorrow" for the 1933 Century of Progress International Exposition in Chicago. During construction of the house, however, a funny thing happened: As the workers built the house, the greenhouse effect from
Still House by Hayes Fleming
Structure: Stanley Still HouseLocation: Kingsport, TennesseeArchitect: Hayes B. FlemingDate: 1973Tidbit: In Kingsport, Tennessee, there lived a man who loved the water. His name was Stanley W. Still. Now Still loved the water so much, he opened a bait & tackle shop, so he could sell the tools of the sea. But alas,