An outdoor gear and clothing mogul and his family came to us seeking to create an indoor/outdoor living compound in downtown Chattanooga. They purchased a 12,000 sf industrial building two doors down from their business headquarters. The property was a great fit for the industrial loft environment they desired. Built in the early 1900’s, the building had originally housed a marble fabrication shop with two foot thick unreinforced concrete walls, heavy timber columns, wood joists and decking.
The existing building had been neglected for years and was in need of extensive renovation. The rear half was demolished to make room for a pool and garden courtyard. The old perimeter walls were left intact, creating a completely private courtyard. The doors on the back of the living space fully open blurring the lines between inside and outside. We divided the building with public space on the ground floor and private space on the second floor. The living room, dining room, and kitchen are all incorporated in one large, loft-like room that opens onto the private garden. The second floor houses the private functions of the family all organized off a central hall.
In keeping with our values, and the clients desire for sustainable construction, the timber and decking we removed from the rear of the building was salvaged and reused in woodworking, floors, and furniture. The demolished concrete was ground and used as an aggregate for the new concrete in the rear yard. The house is entered through a covered stoop, a characteristic commonly found on Williams Street, with the original mosaic tiles flooring left intact.
The home is a wonderful retreat in an urban neighborhood for both the family and their friends.
