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
Bon-Air Motel by Painter, Weeks & McCarty
Structure: Bon-Air MotelLocation: Gatlinburg, TennesseeArchitect: Painter, Weeks & McCarty, Bruce McCarty (associate)Date: 1953Story: Gatlinburg, Tennessee has always been known for its motels. Long ago, in the 1950s, motel owners were local families, working to profit off of the ever-increasing amount of travelers headed to the Smokey Mountains. 1950s motels were uniquely designed,
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