By Jeff Williamson When I was a student, our cafeteria doubled as a stage, assemblies were held in the gym, and everyone had a locker—along with a combination they struggled to remember. Those spaces were purely functional, offering little more than a place to learn the basics and move from one class to another. Fast forward to today, and the …
Retrofit Magazine: A historic and beloved bread factory is transformed into a vibrant food hall
From Retrofit Magazine, May 13, 2025. Generations of locals fondly remember the scent of fresh-baked bread wafting from the facility, where Kern’s iconic yellow-packaged loaves were baked daily. Founded by Peter Kern in the 1860s, the bakery relocated to South Knoxville in 1931 where it operated as a regional powerhouse for more than 60 years. As time passed, the factory …
McMorrow Reports: Intentional healthcare design improves patient and provider experiences
From The McMorrow Reports, March 31, 2025. When it comes to healthcare facilities, great design is more about the experiences of those who interact within the space than about an innovative façade. My healthcare clients include two major health systems and seven hospital campuses, and I have concepted plans for freestanding facilities like orthopedic and urgent care clinics. Despite the …
First Creek at Austin wins two prestigious ULI awards
Johnson Architecture is proud to announce that First Creek at Austin – Phase 1, a project by Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC), has received two distinguished awards from the Urban Land Institute (ULI). The honors were presented on April 30 during a ceremony in Nashville. Transforming community through vision and design As Knoxville’s first mixed-income community, First Creek at Austin …