The team at Knoxville architecture firm, George Armour Ewart Architect, believes architecture and design play a vital role in our communities. Well-built, beautiful shared spaces serve as common ground for people to come together on, especially in these four booming industries…

Healthcare Architecture & Interior Design

Architecture and design is incredibly important in the healthcare industry—not just for the business, but for the overall health of the patients, employees, and visitors that spend time in the facilities every day. Everything from the location and floor plan to the materials used can have an effect on the building’s occupants. But it’s not just structural and layout choices that determine whether a healthcare architecture project is successful. It’s the interior design and exterior building design as well. 

While traditional elements of East Tennessee design like wood construction aren’t always best for sterile healthcare facilities, there are many other ways to integrate warmth and texture into an otherwise cold, uninviting space. Using large windows and bright colors can help create a sense of warmth and energy that local patients and their loved ones are looking for when visiting a healthcare facility. It can also help employees feel happier and more productive during their shifts. 

Check out our case study for the GI For Kids building project in Knoxville in which these elements were utilized to help kids in our community feel comfortable during a vulnerable time.

Retail Architecture & Interior Design

It probably comes as no surprise that retail architecture has never mattered more. With such a rapidly changing market and a steady rise in ecommerce business, it’s becoming more and more important for brick and mortar companies to make a lasting impact with their retail spaces.

Take this downtown Knoxville general store for example: The Market needed a retail architect who specialized in their industry. With the help of contractor Total Property Management, GAEA set out to transform the 3,800 square-foot retail space into a vibrant convenience store that pays a design ode to historic downtown Knoxville through the use of elements like interior brick walls, wood beams, and curved corners and archways. Now, locals and tourists visit the heart of Knoxville—Gay Street, where The Market is located—to get a firsthand sense of our community and experience our unique retail architecture.

Hospitality Architecture & Interior Design

Restaurants, hotels, recreational buildings… These are the community places that make East Tennessee an exciting place to be. Though the hospitality industry spans many different types of businesses, they all have one thing in common: Their spaces need to be built and designed to promote engagement within the community and keep tourists coming back. That’s where our Knoxville architecture firm comes in.

At GAEA, we know supporting our community and beautifying our city go hand in hand. From new construction to remodels and renovations, our role in the local hospitality industry is ever-expanding. Every day, we’re excited to take on new projects in this industry, knowing our architects and interior designers will bring smiles and growth to the community for years to come.

Two restaurants in West Knoxville, Firehouse Subs and Dead End BBQ, are great examples of hospitality spaces that thrive off unique designs and subtle, yet specific touches. With Firehouse, it’s the slanted rooftop design that plays off the nearby ramps and motion of cars that pass by on the busy highway interchange behind the building. With Dead End, it’s the use of an open floor plan and outdoor patio area to make a small space feel bigger. Special features like these can help transform our shared hospitality spaces and take Knoxville architecture to the next level.