The 2 Glass Box Houses of Sequoyah Hills
Sequoyah Hills is a historic neighborhood in Knoxville, Tennessee. Its historicity is emphasized by all of the gorgeous (and traditional) turn-of-the-century houses that fill its lush streets. However, set amongst the traditional structures are two houses that look a bit out of place. Echoing a Miesien style, these two mid-century modern
Koprowski House by James Embrey
Structure: Joseph Koprowski HouseLocation: Gatlinburg, TennesseeArchitect: James A. EmbreyDate: 1970Tidbit: In the mid 1960s, violinist Joseph Boleslav Koprowski moved to Gatlinburg to become the concert master for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. He had Gatlinburg architect James Embrey design him a house up on the one of the tallest hills in Gatlinburg.
3 Houses Designed by Herbert Millkey Sr.
Last week we explored the Timberlake area, a secluded enclave of modernism tucked just below the Tennessee River. However, there is one mid-century house from that area that I left off out of the blog. The oversight was intentional, don’t worry. I wanted to talk about the three modernist houses
Daniel House by A.L. Aydelott & Associates
Structure: Harry Daniel HouseLocation: Bristol, TennesseeArchitect: A.L. Aydelott & AssociatesAssociate architect: Chia-Yi (Charles) JenDate: 1953Tidbit: As best as I can tell, Harry Daniel’s parents were East Tennessee royalty. They owned a massive historical residence called "Almathea" which they used to hold their vast collection of art and regularly host dinners
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
Highlander Folk School by Stanley C. Reese
Structure: Highlander Folk School, Allardt Campus (unbuilt)Location: Allardt, TennesseeArchitect: Stanley C. ReeseDate: 1933Tidbit: You may know of the Highlander Folk School (now called the Highlander Research & Education center). But you may not know about the time that ambitious school tried to create a new headquarters. In December of 1933, after
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
Burlington Branch Library by Mario Bianculli
Structure: Burlington Branch LibraryLocation: Knoxville, TennesseePrototype architect: Mario BianculliLibrary architect: Bealer & WilhoitDate: 1947Story: In 1945, the librarians of Tennessee came up with a brilliant idea to have TVA Chief Architect Mario Bianculli design modern library prototypes which could be easily recreated whenever the state needed a new library. The prototypes were, as
Mission 66 (feat. Clingmans Dome Observation Tower)
The National Park Service (NPS) had a problem. When the NPS was created (in 1916), travel was primarily done by train. In fact, some railroad companies were responsible for the building and operation of national park visitor centers. But with the rise in popularity of the car (and the advent