News
Loghaven Artist Residency presented with 2021 AIA National Architecture Award
Knoxville, TN – April 29, 2021 – Today the American Institute of Architects presented the 2021 AIA Architecture Award, the architecture profession’s highest national recognition, to Sanders Pace Architecture for its original design and architectural rehabilitation work for the Loghaven Artist Residency, a new residency for emerging and established artists in the fields of visual art, dance, music, writing, theater, and interdisciplinary work. The juried award—which celebrates the best contemporary architecture regardless of budget, size, style, or type—honors Sanders Pace’s exceptional design for a ninety-acre campus to foster artistic exploration and the creation of new work.
The design for the Loghaven campus combines new construction and innovation with careful rehabilitation of the historic log cabins on the grounds—creating a seamless dialogue between the new and historic architecture and the natural landscape, and advancing the residency’s dynamism as a center for contemporary artistic practice.
During a six-year planning and design process, Sanders Pace partnered with the Aslan Foundation—which created and funds the Loghaven Artist Residency—on the rehabilitation of the historic log cabins that give the site its name, as well as the conceptualization, design, and construction of three new structures on the campus: the Visual Arts Studio, the Performing Arts Studio, and the 3,900-square-foot Jim McDonough House, which serves as a central gathering place for resident artists and features additional studio space and facilities. The log cabins, which had fallen into disrepair prior to the creation of the Loghaven Artist Residency, were revitalized to serve as artist housing. Loghaven’s studio spaces and three of the artist cabins provide collaborative artist groups the space for an intensive live/work experience, a rarity among artist residencies.
“We have close relationships with all our clients, and it was particularly inspiring and rewarding to work with the Aslan Foundation,” said Brandon F. Pace, FAIA, founding partner of Sanders Pace Architecture. “The project brings together elements that are central to our practice—respect for the unique nature and history of each site, design that grows out of the special character of the place, and the creation of spaces that serve and support users. The Institute Honor Award follows our colleague Michael A. Davis, AIA—who was instrumental in the Loghaven project—being recognized with a 2021 AIA Young Architects Award. We’re honored that the AIA selected us from among firms from across the nation for these awards, and we are more committed than ever to helping shape discourse around architecture and design innovation in our region and around the country.”
“Sanders Pace Architecture has been an incredible partner in the creation of the Loghaven Artist Residency, and we are thrilled to see them receive national recognition from the AIA,” said Andrea Bailey, Executive Director of the Aslan Foundation. “We invited artists to join us on-site in early 2020, and their response to Sanders Pace’s design was tribute to the thought, care, and effort the firm brought to every element of the campus. We’re eager to launch our inaugural open call on June 1 and share the Loghaven experience with a widening group of artists. The news of this award is particularly timely as we have just named Loghaven’s central building in honor of Aslan Foundation Board Member Jim McDonough, an architect in his own right, who invested so much of his energy and passion into creating Loghaven before his passing this March.”
“At Loghaven, artists reside and work in gorgeous living and working spaces with meals and stipend support provided,” said Sharon M. Louden, an advisor in the development of the Loghaven Artist Residency. “I’m excited for artists to find inspiration whether it’s at home in their cabin or exploring the campus. Artists should be sure to bookmark this fantastic opportunity and apply.”
Michael Davis receives 2021 AIA Young Architects Award
Michael Davis, AIA is one of 20 nationwide recipients to be recognized with the 2021 AIA Young Architects Award. The AIA Young Architects Award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers.
Michael Davis, AIA is a Project Architect and a Lead Designer at Sanders Pace Architecture. He is a dedicated professional committed to creating innovative and responsive design solutions that are inspired by a sense of place. His desire to meaningfully engage the region in which he lives and works has led Michael to become a leader in the profession and sought-after mentor in the design community. In total Michael’s work has been recognized with over 30 awards for design excellence at the local, regional, and national level and has directly contributed to establishing Sanders Pace Architecture as a leading practice in the Southeastern United States.
He is the current President of AIA East Tennessee. Learn more about Michael’s accomplishments here.
Short Mountain House featured on Dezeen. Click HERE to check it out online.
Governor Bill Lee, Mayor Indya Kincannon, Mayor Glenn Jacobs among others attending the groundbreaking at the Dogan Gaither Flats, an important building in Knoxville’s black history that will be converted to housing for formerly incarcerated men returning to Knoxville. Coverage can be found at these locations:
WBIR ‘Historic Motel to provide affordable, supportive housing for former inmates’
French Broad House featured on Dezeen. Click HERE to check it out online.
Short Mountain House featured on ArchDaily. Click HERE to check it out online.
Brandon Pace delivers Keynote Address at AIA Ohio Virtual Annual Meeting
The AIA Ohio Annual Meeting will take place virtually on Friday, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m. via Zoom. The meeting will be immediately followed by a design keynote presented by the 2020 AIA Ohio Design Awards Jury Chair, Brandon Pace, FAIA. Brandon will present In Context, a lecture that will explore how the varied historic, social, and cultural circumstances of Knoxville, TN, have helped to establish the foundation and framework for his firm’s design process. Brandon will share the stories of several active and recently completed projects to illustrate how this process plays out in ways which challenge local convention, raise expectations within our urban neighborhoods, and heighten awareness of important issues within the City.
You can watch the full lecture by clicking HERE.
Loghaven Artist Residency featured in Architect Magazine
The Gateway Building at the Loghaven Artist Residency was featured in the Architectural Lighting section of the October issue of Architect Magazine. in an article titled How to Keep Skies Dark at Night, lighting designer Francesca Bastianini with Brooklyn-based Sighte Studio explains how the weathered wood surfaces of the Gateway Building subtly glow without creating unnecessary light trespass.
Read the full article HERE.
Brandon Pace serves as Design Awards Jury chair for 2020 AIA Ohio Design Awards Program.
Brandon served as chair of the regional jury which included Brian Bell of BLDGS in Atlanta, David Bailey of Hastings in Nashville, Erin Sterling Lewis of openstudio in Raleigh, and Matt Seltzer of Archimania in Memphis. Awards were presented via ZOOM at AIA Ohio’s Virtual Awards Gala.
Sanders Pace Architecture receives top honors at the 2020 AIA Tennessee Design Awards.
Dominion Development received an Award of Excellence at this year’s design awards celebration. This project has now received top honors at the Local, State, and Regional levels. We’re proud of our wonderful clients and our entire project team!
