August 16, 2017
The Masonry Institute of Tennessee recently awarded Johnson Architecture the 2017 Merit Award in Masonry for the firm’s design of renovations at Maryville College’s iconic Anderson Hall.
Owner’s representative LawlerWood, architect Johnson Architecture, contractor Joseph Construction Company and masonry partner F.L. Lay Masonry Contractors worked collaboratively to ensure that the masonry design maintained the integrity of the historic brick building that has long been recognized as an anchor of the campus.
“We knew from historical records that the original brick was fired on campus in the late 1800s,” said Daryl Johnson, founder and president of Johnson Architecture. “Our challenge was to preserve the history of those bricks while repairing and replacing the damaged pieces while creating a state-of-the-art educational environment.”
The firm’s design of Anderson Hall protected historical features, such as wide staircases, arched entryways and high ceilings, while updating other amenities, including adding an elevator, security system, flexible classroom designs and 30 faculty offices.
“As we designed each new amenity, we ensured that the original construction of the building was acknowledged,” Johnson said. “We framed a small section of the interior wall to expose brick, allowing visitors to see the original construction.”
Since Anderson Hall’s reopening in 2015, Johnson Architecture has earned several accolades for the project, including the Blount County Historic Trust Design Award in 2015 and both the Knox Heritage East Tennessee Preservation Award and East Tennessee Historical Society Award of Distinction in 2016.
About Johnson Architecture Inc.
Founded in 1994 by Daryl Johnson, AIA, Johnson Architecture is a design firm that provides architecture, planning and full in-house interior design services for facilities of all types. The firm has completed a broad spectrum of work, including commercial, residential, education, health care, restaurant, spiritual and master planning projects. Notable clients include Blackberry Farm, Clayton Homes, Cornerstone of Recovery, First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, Maryville City Schools, Maryville College, RT Lodge, South College and Zoo Knoxville.