Project Description
From the AIA:
The proposed building site was on top of the central urban park space in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. This initially was received with negative connotations, however it quickly became the driving conceptual factor. The goal was to create a contextually sensitive design that provided more park space than the original site. The site is located adjacent to the Market Square Pedestrian mall, and one of the main drivers was to construct a 50,000 square foot building that also extended the pedestrian mall. The program is mixed use between public open market space, public park space and a private culinary school with private park space.
From the jury:
This project is a well-conceived tall building that takes a clear, no-nonsense approach to addressing the design issues at hand and the ten measures. The solutions are holistic, and the passive, active, and vegetative qualities shine through. The exploded axon is successful, and the plan demonstrates a sophisticated amount of restraint. The energy analysis is thorough and it is clear that the students are enamored by the ground source system. The investigation of the underground and roots of the building is quite beautiful.