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Johnson Architecture project Marble Hall earns East Tennessee Preservation Award

November 11, 2018

Johnson Architecture earned an East Tennessee Preservation Award for the firm’s adaptive reuse of Marble Hall at Lakeshore Park. Knox Heritage presented the award Nov. 1 at a ceremony in downtown Knoxville.

The Lakeshore Park board and landscape architect Ross Fowler hired Johnson Architecture to reimagine the historic structure.

“Designing the restoration updates for Marble Hall was such an honor,” said Daryl Johnson, founder and president of Johnson Architecture. “We are grateful to be recognized by Knox Heritage for our part in designing the next life of this beautiful and historical site and hope it serves our community well for years to come.”

Johnson Architecture’s design of Lakeshore Park’s Marble Hall earned an East Tennessee Preservation Award from Knox Heritage on Nov. 1 at the East Tennessee History Center. The 1950s-era former chapel has been adapted for public use. Pictured, from left: Danielle Hemsley and Emily Haire of Johnson Architecture and Todd Morgan of Knox Heritage.

The East Tennessee Preservation Awards annually recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and projects contributing to historic preservation efforts within a 16-county region.

Johnson Architecture’s design opened the 3,367-square-foot former chapel while preserving its frame and enhancing its architectural elements amid the landscape. The design maintained the exterior marble cladding, wooden frame and ceiling, cupola and intricate rose window. In addition, the design includes new, adjacent public restrooms and a new 1,008-square-foot Marble Hall Pavilion, which features materials reflective of its counterpart.

Marble Hall was originally constructed in 1958 as a chapel for the Eastern State Psychiatric Hospital, later renamed Lakeshore Mental Health Institute, and is one of the few remaining buildings on the property from that era. Following the closure of the institute in 2012, the State of Tennessee conveyed the property to the City of Knoxville for recreational purposes. Lakeshore Park now draws thousands of visitors annually.

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. Johnson Architecture has designed various sized projects for numerous purposes, including commercial, educational, healthcare, residential, restaurant, tourism and spiritual. Notable clients include Blackberry Farm, Clayton Homes, First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, Covenant Health, DENSO, Zoo Knoxville and The University of Tennessee.