A Quick Look at the Evolution of Knoxville Architecture

Knoxville architecture firm, George Armour Ewart Architect, believes architecture and design play a vital role in our community. In fact, our industry has been intertwined with Knoxville (and East Tennessee at large) since the mid-1700’s.

Keep reading for a quick glance at how Knoxville architecture has evolved over the years.

The Early Days

Ever heard of Thomas Hope? Known for his work designing historic houses, such as the Ramsey House and States View House, Hope has been dubbed Knoxville’s first architect by many. His work on these houses (which still exist today and have become hotspots for local architectural history) spanned from the late 1700’s into the early 1800’s.

Then there’s George Barber, who may not be known as the first Knoxville architect, but is perhaps one of the most widely-known architects to ever live in the area. Barber was known for his “almost fanciful Victorian designs,” which today’s architects and designers still appreciate when visiting one of the houses he worked on… and there’s a lot! 

From Knoxville all the way to the West Coast, Barber was responsible for creating timeless buildings and designs throughout the mid-1800’s into the 1900’s—many of which have remained prevalent in Knoxville’s architectural styles today.

The Knollwood Mansion

Also built in the mid-1800’s is the Knollwood mansion on Bearden Hill, one of Knoxville’s most historic buildings. The land was purchased from James White, the founder of Knoxville, and the original construction utilized Federal-style architecture with features like large, white columns and symmetrical exterior windows.

It’s details like this that created a sense of balance and height, which our team was adamant about upholding during the complete restoration process by our firm in the late ‘90s. Updating the structure without compromising the original integrity of the historic building is what led our firm to win two prestigious awards for the renovation.

Architecture & The University of Tennessee

If you live in Knoxville or have ever visited, it probably comes as no surprise to hear that The University of Tennessee is a big part of our community’s culture. Since its founding in the late 18th century, UT has continued to shape Knoxville and its residents, and a large part of the style we see today is thanks to Charles Barber, George Barber’s son.

Charles and his team at the time were involved in much of UT’s medieval, gothic-revival architectural style, which has transcended decades (and centuries!) and is still found all over on-campus and off-campus buildings today.

The use of brick and stone to create tower-like structures that resemble religious cathedrals is what any UT student or visitor can expect to see on campus in buildings like Ayres Hall, the Haslam Business Building, the library, and pretty much any structure on Circle Drive. But off-campus, the style has made its way to related buildings in the area, including the UT Medical Center and several historic churches.

We’ve Come a Long Way

As the county planning committee, Knox Planning, explains it: “As the early Knox County settlers became more prosperous, they began to build stone, brick, and wood houses in various architectural styles. Those building styles range from the earliest Georgian and Federal styles through mid-20th century ranch styles…”

With so much evolution as trends come and go, Knoxville architecture has definitely come a long way since the 19th and 20th centuries, when buildings were primarily log construction and interior design details were considerably traditional. 

While there are still subtle nods to the architectural history of many Knoxville buildings, things like construction styles, design choices, and even the practical needs of end-users have changed over time. Today, the team at George Armour Ewart Architect is proud to be creating modern, practical buildings with odes to the history of architecture and design in Knoxville and East Tennessee.

Impact Tomorrow’s History Today

Are you looking to put your own stamp on Knoxville architecture and design? We welcome interest from architects, designers, and project managers at any level. If you work best in a fast-paced environment and enjoy being an active part of history-in-the-making, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch on our site here or email us at info@georgeewart.com to learn about any open positions and see if a role with us is right for you!