Knoxville Children's Theatre | The Foundry Renovation

The Knoxville Children’s Theatre (KCT) is set to breathe new life into the historic Foundry building, a structure with roots dating back to 1865. The renovation will honor the building’s storied past while transforming it into a state-of-the-art venue for children’s theater.

The existing event hall will be reimagined to include a grand lobby, a rehearsal space, a black box theater, and a 250-seat auditorium. A modest addition will accommodate a fly loft, scene shop, costume shop, and other essential support areas, ensuring seamless production capabilities.

The architectural vision is inspired by the “moment of anticipation” in theater—the captivating pause when the lights dim, the curtain begins to retract, and the performance begins. This is manifested externally using curtain-like window openings that break down the mass of the new addition while the contrasting brick color differentiates the new architectural intervention. Internally, new program elements feature flowing, curtain-inspired forms that juxtapose harmoniously with the historic masonry and timber framework, creating a dialogue between old and new.

This revitalization project preserves a significant piece of Knoxville’s heritage while providing KCT with an inspiring platform to continue its mission of fostering creativity and learning through the performing arts.

MHM Celebrates NAHRO Agency Award of Merit for Oakland Court Development

McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects & Interior Designers (MHM) proudly announces that the Murfreesboro Housing Authority’s Oakland Court Housing Development has received a prestigious NAHRO Agency Award of Merit in the Affordable Housing category. The award was presented at the 2024 NAHRO National Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.

MHM’s Principal Margaret Butler and MHA’s Thomas Rowe receive award from NAHRO officials.

The Oakland Court Housing Development embodies the Murfreesboro Housing Authority’s commitment to providing high-quality, sustainable, and affordable housing options. As the project’s architect, MHM is deeply honored to have partnered on this transformative initiative that meets the community’s housing needs while fostering a vibrant, welcoming environment for its residents.

The project’s design emphasizes sustainability and livability, featuring energy-efficient systems, accessible layouts, and community-oriented amenities. The redevelopment replaced outdated housing units with modern, functional homes, reflecting MHM’s dedication to creating spaces that enhance quality of life.

The NAHRO Agency Awards of Merit honor innovative housing and community development projects that address critical needs in creative and effective ways. The recognition of Oakland Court underscores the value of collaborative efforts in delivering affordable housing solutions that inspire pride and opportunity.

For more information, see MHM’s project description for the Oakland Court Development.

MHM, DIA Recognized for 2 Awards at Annual TSBA Convention

During its Annual Convention, the Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA) recognized architectural firms for their excellence in design by presenting the TSBA School of the Year Awards. Awards were granted in five categories: New Construction of Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, Renovation, and the People’s Choice award, which was selected by TSBA membership.

MHM in collaboration with the Architect of Record, Design Innovation Architects (DIA), was recognized for the design of the Athens PreK-5 School in both the Elementary School and People’s Choice categories.

The consolidation of Athens City Schools was driven by the need to address stagnant growth, aging facilities, and increasing operational and maintenance costs. The decision was made to merge two primary schools, two intermediate schools, and one middle school into a more efficient two-school system.

By creating a new PreK-5 school, four aging facilities were replaced, saving on costly repairs and maintenance. Additionally, the strategic location of the new school adjacent to Athens City Middle School presented an opportunity to establish a single PreK-8 campus. Overall, this new PreK-5 school design supports more efficient operational costs, enhanced security and monitoring, allows for expanded educational programs, and consolidates resources that enhance curriculum opportunities.

This innovative and efficient concept of two schools under one roof allows the school to maintain its primary and intermediate grade structure while creating a conducive learning environment for its 1,340 students. The school is divided into two independent schools with separate primary and intermediate classroom wings, each having its own administration areas and entries.

Read more about the project, here.

MHM Announces Citation in American School & University 2024 Architectural Portfolio

MHM proudly announces that the Webb School of Knoxville - The Bailey Family Fitness & Training Center - was awarded the Combined-Level Schools Citation and appeared in the 2024 American School & University Architectural Portfolio—the premier showcase celebrating the best in education design.

With a focus on health and fitness, The Bailey Family Fitness & Training Center is a state-of-the-art facility designed to be welcoming and inclusive to the full school community.

““It creates a really nice place to get young people active and coming together to get fit.” ”

— 2024 Jury

A jury of American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on Architecture for Education members and education administrators evaluated submissions from architectural firms, schools, and universities across the county. Sixty-five projects were selected for publication in AS&U, an educational facilities, purchasing, and business administration magazine reaching 57,000 facility planners, school and university administrators, and architects.

A Transformative Mixed-Use Development in Downtown Knoxville

For PARK(ing) Day 2024, MHM partnered with the Knoxville Arts & Culture Alliance, a local nonprofit organization, to raise awareness about The Emporium and celebrate local artists throughout the city. With a focus on sustainability and adaptability, the team designed a modular structure that is versatile, reusable, and purpose-built to maximize its value for the Arts & Culture Alliance.

The installation serves multiple functions, including acting as a stage backdrop, a space divider, a freestanding gallery, or even an outdoor exhibit for First Friday events. Constructed from birch plywood sheets—chosen for their natural aesthetic and alignment with The Emporium’s existing material palette—the structure is assembled using hand-welded brackets. This design enables two gallery walls in its main form while maintaining flexibility to meet The Emporium’s diverse needs.

Arranged in a zigzag pattern at a 45-degree angle, the plywood panels optimize art display space while minimizing the overall footprint. Designed for efficiency, the structure can be quickly assembled, easily disassembled, and folded flat for convenient storage. Its modular design and notch-style joinery allow for various configurations, from a single long gallery wall to smaller, separate two-panel displays.

Additionally, the structure incorporates functional elements, such as blocks that can be used as seating for artists or viewers, or as pedestals for displaying art. During PARK(ing) Day, the panels featured art in various mediums created by local artists sponsored by The Emporium. Like a traditional gallery, these pieces were available for purchase, showcasing the dynamic relationship between art, community, and sustainability.