Meeting House at RT Lodge
Nestled among the quiet woods of Maryville, the Meeting House at RT Lodge offers guests a serene retreat for gatherings, meetings, and corporate events. Designed to complement the Lodge’s natural beauty, the building features a multi-purpose meeting room framed by tranquil woodland views, along with private restrooms, a custom snack and beverage station, and a warming kitchen with service area for added convenience. Thoughtfully sited to blend with the landscape, the structure opens the viewshed to the forest while maintaining a sense of intimacy and calm. A simple palette of materials – including natural stone, warm lap siding, and expansive glass – creates harmony between the building and its surroundings. Inside, designed in collaboration with Norris Studio, rustic wood beams, soft accent lighting, and stone-look pavers set a welcoming tone. Padded wall coverings provide both acoustic comfort and a sense of quiet sophistication, making the Meeting House a true extension of RT Lodge’s refined yet relaxed atmosphere. <strong>A Place with Deep Roots</strong> Originally built in 1932 as Morningside, the home of Susan Wiley Cooper Walker, the property became part of Maryville College and later evolved into a beloved inn and event venue. Ruby Tuesday, Inc. partnered with the College to transform it into RT Lodge, a retreat for dining, hospitality, and celebration. Johnson Architecture has been part of that story since 1998 – designing the Lodge’s early renovations and guest houses, restaurant expansion and now, the Meeting House, a natural next chapter in its legacy of welcoming spaces.
Maryville, Tennessee
Nestled among the quiet woods of Maryville, the Meeting House at RT Lodge offers guests a serene retreat for gatherings, meetings, and corporate events. Designed to complement the Lodge’s natural beauty, the building features a multi-purpose meeting room framed by tranquil woodland views, along with private restrooms, a custom snack and beverage station, and a warming kitchen with service area for added convenience.
Thoughtfully sited to blend with the landscape, the structure opens the viewshed to the forest while maintaining a sense of intimacy and calm. A simple palette of materials – including natural stone, warm lap siding, and expansive glass – creates harmony between the building and its surroundings. Inside, designed in collaboration with Norris Studio, rustic wood beams, soft accent lighting, and stone-look pavers set a welcoming tone. Padded wall coverings provide both acoustic comfort and a sense of quiet sophistication, making the Meeting House a true extension of RT Lodge’s refined yet relaxed atmosphere.
A Place with Deep Roots
Originally built in 1932 as Morningside, the home of Susan Wiley Cooper Walker, the property became part of Maryville College and later evolved into a beloved inn and event venue. Ruby Tuesday, Inc. partnered with the College to transform it into RT Lodge, a retreat for dining, hospitality, and celebration. Johnson Architecture has been part of that story since 1998 – designing the Lodge’s early renovations and guest houses, restaurant expansion and now, the Meeting House, a natural next chapter in its legacy of welcoming spaces.
Nestled among the quiet woods of Maryville, the Meeting House at RT Lodge offers guests a serene retreat for gatherings, meetings, and corporate events. Designed to complement the Lodge’s natural beauty, the building features a multi-purpose meeting room framed by tranquil woodland views, along with private restrooms, a custom snack and beverage station, and a warming kitchen with service area for added convenience.
Thoughtfully sited to blend with the landscape, the structure opens the viewshed to the forest while maintaining a sense of intimacy and calm. A simple palette of materials – including natural stone, warm lap siding, and expansive glass – creates harmony between the building and its surroundings. Inside, designed in collaboration with Norris Studio, rustic wood beams, soft accent lighting, and stone-look pavers set a welcoming tone. Padded wall coverings provide both acoustic comfort and a sense of quiet sophistication, making the Meeting House a true extension of RT Lodge’s refined yet relaxed atmosphere.
A Place with Deep Roots
Originally built in 1932 as Morningside, the home of Susan Wiley Cooper Walker, the property became part of Maryville College and later evolved into a beloved inn and event venue. Ruby Tuesday, Inc. partnered with the College to transform it into RT Lodge, a retreat for dining, hospitality, and celebration. Johnson Architecture has been part of that story since 1998 – designing the Lodge’s early renovations and guest houses, restaurant expansion and now, the Meeting House, a natural next chapter in its legacy of welcoming spaces.
Meeting House at RT Lodge
Maryville, Tennessee
2,165 square feet, new
2025
Services Provided
daryl-johnson-aia-ncarb,debbie-mccarter,emily-haire-ncarb-leed-ap
Consultant(s)
Reference(s)
Maryville, Tennessee
Nestled among the quiet woods of Maryville, the Meeting House at RT Lodge offers guests a serene retreat for gatherings, meetings, and corporate events. Designed to complement the Lodge’s natural beauty, the building features a multi-purpose meeting room framed by tranquil woodland views, along with private restrooms, a custom snack and beverage station, and a warming kitchen with service area for added convenience.
Thoughtfully sited to blend with the landscape, the structure opens the viewshed to the forest while maintaining a sense of intimacy and calm. A simple palette of materials – including natural stone, warm lap siding, and expansive glass – creates harmony between the building and its surroundings. Inside, designed in collaboration with Norris Studio, rustic wood beams, soft accent lighting, and stone-look pavers set a welcoming tone. Padded wall coverings provide both acoustic comfort and a sense of quiet sophistication, making the Meeting House a true extension of RT Lodge’s refined yet relaxed atmosphere.
A Place with Deep Roots
Originally built in 1932 as Morningside, the home of Susan Wiley Cooper Walker, the property became part of Maryville College and later evolved into a beloved inn and event venue. Ruby Tuesday, Inc. partnered with the College to transform it into RT Lodge, a retreat for dining, hospitality, and celebration. Johnson Architecture has been part of that story since 1998 – designing the Lodge’s early renovations and guest houses, restaurant expansion and now, the Meeting House, a natural next chapter in its legacy of welcoming spaces.
PROJECT DETAILS
Nestled among the quiet woods of Maryville, the Meeting House at RT Lodge offers guests a serene retreat for gatherings, meetings, and corporate events. Designed to complement the Lodge’s natural beauty, the building features a multi-purpose meeting room framed by tranquil woodland views, along with private restrooms, a custom snack and beverage station, and a warming kitchen with service area for added convenience.
Thoughtfully sited to blend with the landscape, the structure opens the viewshed to the forest while maintaining a sense of intimacy and calm. A simple palette of materials – including natural stone, warm lap siding, and expansive glass – creates harmony between the building and its surroundings. Inside, designed in collaboration with Norris Studio, rustic wood beams, soft accent lighting, and stone-look pavers set a welcoming tone. Padded wall coverings provide both acoustic comfort and a sense of quiet sophistication, making the Meeting House a true extension of RT Lodge’s refined yet relaxed atmosphere.
A Place with Deep Roots
Originally built in 1932 as Morningside, the home of Susan Wiley Cooper Walker, the property became part of Maryville College and later evolved into a beloved inn and event venue. Ruby Tuesday, Inc. partnered with the College to transform it into RT Lodge, a retreat for dining, hospitality, and celebration. Johnson Architecture has been part of that story since 1998 – designing the Lodge’s early renovations and guest houses, restaurant expansion and now, the Meeting House, a natural next chapter in its legacy of welcoming spaces.





