Fall 2022, UTK College of Architecture + Design Collaboration

FALL 2022 TIMELINE

Sept, 2022 Site visit Sept-Oct, 2022

Design Reviews

Final reviews, Knoxville

Dec, 2022

Final Reviews, Chattanooga

Dec, 2022

Chattanooga Design Studio + UTK Architecture

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

In Fall 2022, CDS and UTK collaborated with the Ryno Group to reimagine the future of their facility, the Dixie Mercerizing Co. block, and the surrounding area. Students met with community members and local design leaders to understand the existing challenges of the neighborhood and community’s desires and expectations. The final design proposals suggest a range of programs unique to each project but each takes into consideration the surrounding context and urban design qualities of the site.

ABOUT UTK ARCHITECTURE:

The core of The University of Tennessee at Knoxville’s Architecture program’s curriculum is the studio, where the students learn to explore and ideate. They begin with a focus on design fundamentals, moving through conceptual, abstract and experimental exercises to strip away preconceived ideas. UTK Architecture students are often inspired by collaborative studios , such as the 2022 Academic Studio collaboration with Chattanooga Design Studio.

ABOUT CHATTANOOGA DESIGN STUDIO:

The student work was sponsored by Chattanooga Design Studio. The work of the Studio takes many forms: studies, charrettes and exhibitions for the general public; programs for the professional design community and general public; facilitation for community stakeholders; consultation with the developmental community; and resources for local government. The Studio engages with various groups to keep a fresh perspective and allow for ideas to grow through the collaboration of thoughtful urban design.

DIXIE MERCERIZING CO. 1925

The idea of community was very present for the Dixie Mercerizing Company

DIXIE MERCERIZING CO.

PRESENT

ARCH 471

INTEGRATION DESIGN STUDIO

At the Chattanooga Design Studio, we are grateful and proud to say that this is the fifth year we have done a collaboration with Professor Kevin Stevens and his Design Studio.

The course Kevin teaches is ARCH 471, a fourth-year Integration Design Studio focused at a block scale. Integration means that students need to actively incorporate cultural considerations, programmatic possibilities, and technical exploration into the development of their designs, addressing site analysis, building structure, environmental systems, life safety, and sustainability.

It’s the first time in their curriculum that they take such a comprehensive approach to a project, and it is also the first exposure students have to using new software tools such as Revit, a building information modelling program.

Kevin guides the course in a very unique way, challenging the students to get hands on a project that is already going on in Chattanooga, which enables them to face real life tasks and use community input for their designs, as they will have to do later on in their practice.

We find it to be a very enriching learning process both for the students, who learn from the aspirations of a community, and for us Chattanoogans, that find inspiration and new solutions in students innovative approaches.

We will have more going on next Fall 2023, so keep in the loop!

STUDENT TEAMS

Hannah Gracy and Matthew Luck Jacob Layne and Joby Zhao

Kinna Dutton and Grace Heckmann

Walter Hall and Samuel Townsend

Nicole Holt and Kathlynn Ebeo

Kayla Honaker and Andrea Street

STUDENT WORK

THE MEDIATOR

By Hannah Gracy and Matthew Luck

STUDENT DESIGN AWARDS COMPETITION

AIA MIDDLE TENNESSEE

Hannah Gracy and Matthew Luck’s project, The Mediator, won the 1st place honor award for the AIA Middle Tennessee Student Design Awards competition. Congratulations!

In the picture: Hannah, Matthew and Professor Kevin Stevens, along with the jurors Asia Allen, Michael Wasyliw and Trip Hereford.

ACTIVATED RESILIENCY

By Jacob Layne and Joby Zhao

ACTIVATED RESILIENCY

URBAN QUILT

By Kinna Dutton and Grace Heckmann

THE PULSING CITY

By Walter Hall and Samuel Townsend

PROVISION GRID

By Nicole Holt and Kathlynn Ebeo

PROVISION GRID

[REDEFINING LABELS]

By Kayla Honaker and Andrea Street