News
Tombras School of Marketing and Public Relations announced on the University of Tennessee campus
Sanders Pace Architecture is working with Tombras to develop vision for the new Tombras School of Marketing and Public Relations on the University of Tennessee campus.
Learn more about the project by clicking HERE or reading the article below.
What a new partnership with industry leader Tombras means for UT’s advertising and PR school
When Joseph Mazer thinks about what makes him nervous as dean of the University of Tennessee‘s College of Communication and Information, it always comes back to student opportunity.
Mazer wants to make sure that every student in the college has access to meaningful connections that expose students to real-world experiences, whether that’s through internships, hands-on classroom experiences or networking.
Now, because of a one-of-its-kind industry partnership with a world-class Knoxville agency, students in the college’s advertising and public relations programs are guaranteed to get a taste of the real world before graduating.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Tombras are coming together to expand and enhance the College of Communication and Information’s advertising and public relations school.
“This vision, and this gift, actually makes me less nervous, because I know that we are going to be providing those opportunities to students so that they could move through and excel,” Mazer said in an exclusive interview with Knox News.
The new name is a first for the university. While UT has some academic colleges named for prominent Tennessee figures — the Haslam College of Business, for example — this is the first school within a college to be named.
“That’s the beauty of these partnerships, is that we all grow together to be committed together to the mission of the university,” Chancellor Donde Plowman said at a packed dedication Friday. “Thank you so much. It’s such a validation of the important work that we do here to get a gift like this.”
The university did not disclose how much money Tombras was giving to the school.
Not only will the partnership provide industry experiences for current and upcoming advertising and public relations students, but it also will prioritize recruiting historically underrepresented students from high schools across the state of Tennessee, fostering an industry that is more representative of the state and the nation.
“There’s a lot of companies … that are trying to do the right thing and have a more diverse workforce. What we’re doing is going to be so impactful because it’s addressing the root problem of getting more talent into the system, through the system, and trained up,” Dooley Tombras, president of the agency, said in an exclusive interview with Knox News. “The long-term impact on that really could change the status quo in the advertising industry.
The partnership was announced Friday. Here’s what it means for the future of the school.
Recruitment at the high school level
One of the school’s goals is to double the number of underrepresented minority graduates in the advertising and public relations programs at UT.
This starts with connecting with students while they are still in high school and helping them understand what a career in advertising or public relations could look like before they even step foot on campus.
More:Here’s what we know about University of Tennessee’s plan to build two new residence halls
For subscribers:UT’s proposed bridge could spur housing, retail developments on South Knoxville waterfront
“We’ll have a real grassroots, hands-on approach going into high schools, particularly Flagship high schools across Tennessee, and really get the message there and have it on their mind to start thinking about what a career in advertising and public relations would look like,” said Beth Foster, the director of the school.
There are 38 Flagship high schools across the state. Students accepted into UT from these high schools receive a scholarship that, when combined with the Tennessee HOPE scholarship, covers tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight semesters.
The work has already started. This week, high school students from Fulton High School, the Knox County Schools communications magnet school and a UT Flagship high school, explored different areas of the college and learned about programs, including advertising and public relations.
“If we wait to start trying to make changes in the industry until our students are already here, we are late,” Mazer said.
Expanding the faculty
More students means more faculty will be needed at the school, but UT and Tombras are already anticipating that need.
One is the Charles Tombras professor position. This role, named after Tombras founder Charles Tombras Sr. who graduated from UT in 1936, will be a key player in recruiting students to the school.
“I’m grateful to… the Tombras family for decades of support,” Foster said. “The doors they’ve opened for students are innumerable, and thinking about the impact they’ve already made and the impact they will make it, it’s overwhelming.”
Employees at Tombras have and will continue to serve as adjunct faculty within the school as well, providing students with networking opportunities in the classroom.
“I think it’s really unique to have a partnership like that between a major business and a university,” Dooley said. “And I think that it’s disproportionately important for advertising and public relations versus other industries because our industry has been disrupted dramatically with digital technology and data. It continues to evolve so much.”
Solomon Trapp, a senior in the school and current project manager intern at Tombras, said the faculty’s commitment to diversity will open up opportunities to succeed for all students.
“We are a predominantly white institution,” Trapp said. “We want to work together to grow this community and make sure we get the right opportunity to succeed. I had a great experience, and I hope other minority students have the same experience I had.”
Creating innovative classrooms
The school hopefully will see renovations and upgrades to classroom spaces and technology.
The school plans to eventually expand its physical footprint in the building and upgrade faculty offices, classrooms and meeting spaces. The renderings feature collaboration hubs, production labs and modern office-style rooms that reflect a similar environment that students might be walking into when they graduate.
“The Tombras School is doubling its square footage in the building. And it’s going to be state-of-the-art in terms of learning laboratories and facilities that mimic the agency environment,” Mazer said. “I would hope a year from now that we would be in the middle of renovation on that project, pending state approval.”
About UT’s Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations
The University of Tennessee’s School of Advertising and Public Relations launched in 2003, but public relations and advertising classes had been offered at UT since 1914.
It’s part of the university’s College of Communication and Information which offers undergraduate and graduate programs in advertising, communication studies, information sciences, journalism and electronic media and public relations. The college is home to about 70 faculty members and currently has 1,500 enrolled students.
About Tombras
Tombras is a full-service independent agency based in Knoxville. The company has offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., and New York City. Staffers create advertising strategies for more than 50 different clients, including Zaxby’s, MoonPie and Orangetheory.
John Sanders and Brandon Pace lecturing as part of the Columbia Design League’s lecture series
John and Brandon will be in South Carolina tonight presenting at the Columbia Museum of Art as part of the Columbia Design League’s lecture series. We’ll be sharing stories about public and private redevelopment efforts within Knoxville’s urban areas and how these projects have helped shape development patterns within our city.
The Columbia Design League is a group of Columbia Museum of Art members who share a belief that design matters in every area of modern life. Their annual seasons abound with lectures and discussions led by architects, designers, artists, and other luminaries. The Design League collaborates with academic, civic, and professional organizations to bring appealing and insightful design programs and events to the region.
Loghaven Artist Residency featured in Global Design News
Global Design News featured an article on the Loghaven Artist Residency, winner of an AIA National Architecture Award and the American Prize for Architecture 2021 from the Chicago Athenaeum and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. Click HERE to read the full article.
The annual Bowman Design Forum was introduced by Kansas State alumnus Brent Bowman to expose third-year architecture students to the field’s top professionals. Participants compete through submissions of innovative design for scholarships and interact with nationally recognized architects.
The Bowman Design Forum exemplifies the strong tradition of partnership between the Department of Architecture and the professional architectural community, an alliance which has advanced the discipline and contributed to the vitality of all who have shared in its bounties. Brent Bowman, a 1972 graduate of the Department of Architecture, has long played an active role in fostering educational excellence through generous gifts of time, counsel and other contributions in support of the school’s endeavors.
This year’s Bowman Design Jurors are Brandon Pace, FAIA and Michael Davis, AIA of Sanders Pace Architecture in Knoxville, Tennessee.
4 Sanders Pace Projects recognized at AIA East Tennessee Design Awards Gala
We are proud to announce that 4 projects were the recipients of Design Awards at the annual Gala. Jury chair Miguel Rivera of Miro Rivera Architects and his Austin based jury identified Cityhouse and the French Broad House as Award of Honor recipients, Clauss Haus II as an Award of Merit recipient, and The Historic Candoro Marble Building as a Citation award winner.
3 Sanders Pace Architecture projects receive AIA Gulf States Design Awards
We were proud to have 3 projects recognized as award winners by the AIA Gulf States Region during last night’s Design Awards Celebration! The Gulf States Region includes five states: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee and the awards celebration highlights the best work from firms practicing in these states. The Clauss Haus received a merit award, the French Broad House and the Artist Studios at the Loghaven Artist Residency received Citations.
Loghaven Artist Residency featured in Landscape Architecture Magazine
The landscape design strategy at the Loghaven Artist Residency was featured in the November issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine. Sanders Pace Architecture worked with Stephen W. Hackney Landscape Architects on the design of the 100 acre campus which was completed in 2020. Link to Landscape Architecture Magazine HERE and you can learn more about the Loghaven Artist Residency by clicking HERE
Loghaven Artist Residency receives American Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum
We’re proud to announce that the Loghaven Artist Residency has been awarded a 2021 American Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum. The award is the nation’s highest public award given by a non-commercial, non-trade affiliated, public arts, culture and educational institution.
Loghaven Artist Residency officially opened in 2020 as a new residency for emerging and established artists in the fields of visual art, dance, music, writing, theater, and interdisciplinary 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.
Sanders Pace Architecture is seeking talented candidates to fill two positions at the firm.
JOB POSITION: Project Architect
Sanders Pace Architecture is seeking a Project Architect to joins its team in Knoxville, TN.
Sanders Pace Architecture is an 11-person architecture practice working on a range of project types in East Tennessee. Led by John Sanders, FAIA, and Brandon Pace, FAIA, the practice initially focused on unique adaptive reuse and renovation projects in the central core of Knoxville. Sanders Pace Architecture has grown to include small-scale custom residential work, innovative institutional buildings, and large-scale public-sector projects that integrate research into a collaborative design process which leads to unique and inventive solutions. With over 100 planning, preservation, and design awards received among other accolades, Sanders Pace Architecture has established itself as one of the most thoughtful and imaginative firms practicing in the Southeast, most recently receiving a 2021 AIA Architecture Award for the Loghaven Artist Residency. Learn more about us at www.sanderspace.com.
We are looking for an experienced and talented Project Architect who is comfortable working in a fast-paced studio environment who enjoys working collaboratively as part of a team. Applicants must possess the curiosity and critical thinking skills needed to explore unique design solutions at all scales. Candidates should have a strong design portfolio, the ability to lead the production of design and construction documents, coordinate the work of consultant teams, and demonstrate strong communication skills. Sanders Pace Architecture focuses on unique, challenging, and custom design solutions ranging from small installations to public infrastructure.
Description:
Develops solutions and creates project designs and plans. Initiates and creates project designs and plans of all phases of one or more projects and has responsibility for leading the development of presentation and design drawings. Coordinates all trades and agencies related to building design while monitoring drawings. Serves as primary client point of contact and actively manages project budgets, schedules, and project team assignments.
Responsibilities:
- Initiate and lead the development of project designs.
- Coordinate and manage design efforts with the internal team and project consultants.
- Monitor and contribute to the development of project deliverables.
- Manage project budgets, schedules, and project team assignments.
Qualifications:
- Bachelors and/or Masters in Architecture from an accredited university.
- 7+ years of professional work experience. Experience should include all phases of design.
- Active professional licensure preferred.
- Well organized, with strong verbal communication skills, including experience communicating with clients and consultant teams.
- Exceptional design portfolio, with demonstrated ability to ensure delivery of design intent.
- Detail oriented with a working understanding of materials, technical detailing, and building systems.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects.
- Proficiency is required in Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and 3D modeling software. Proficiency in Rhino and V-Ray is preferred.
Benefits:
- Salary is commensurate with experience.
- Health and vision insurance.
- Matching SIMPLE IRA contributions.
- Professional development stipend.
- Opportunities for growth.
Sanders Pace Architecture is an equal opportunity employer.
Correspondence via email only: Please submit a resume and digital portfolio (PDF Format < 10MB) to info@sanderspace.com. No calls, please.
JOB POSITION: Project Designer
Sanders Pace Architecture is seeking a Project Designer to joins its team in Knoxville, TN.
Sanders Pace Architecture is an 11-person architecture practice working on a range of project types in East Tennessee. Led by John Sanders, FAIA, and Brandon Pace, FAIA, the practice initially focused on unique adaptive reuse and renovation projects in the central core of Knoxville. Sanders Pace Architecture has grown to include small-scale custom residential work, innovative institutional buildings, and large-scale public-sector projects that integrate research into a collaborative design process which leads to unique and inventive solutions. With over 100 planning, preservation, and design awards received among other accolades, Sanders Pace Architecture has established itself as one of the most thoughtful and imaginative firms practicing in the Southeast, most recently receiving a 2021 AIA Architecture Award for the Loghaven Artist Residency. Learn more about us at www.sanderspace.com.
We are looking for an experienced and talented Project Designer who is comfortable working in a fast-paced studio environment who enjoys working collaboratively as part of a team. Applicants must possess the curiosity and critical thinking skills needed to explore unique design solutions at all scales. Candidates should desire a creative workplace and be motivated to pursue professional growth within the practice. Sanders Pace Architecture focuses on unique, challenging, and custom design solutions ranging from small installations to public infrastructure.
Description:
Works with Project Architect and Principal to develop creative-design concepts for projects, coordinates project design, and prepares presentation and design drawings.
Responsibilities:
- Actively support and contribute to the development of project designs.
- Execute exceptional presentation deliverables within tight schedules.
- Develop design drawings and construction documents.
- Continued project involvement through all phases of design, including construction administration.
Qualifications:
- Bachelors and/or Masters in Architecture from an accredited university.
- 3+ years of professional work experience. Experience should include all phases of design.
- Well organized, with strong verbal communication skills.
- Exceptional conceptual design and critical thinking skills, represented through examples of past work.
- Confidence in expanding on information provided by others through exploration of iterative solutions.
- Working knowledge of design trends and materials.
- A passion for researching unique materials, assemblies, and processes.
- Proficiency is required in Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and 3D modeling software. Proficiency in Rhino and V-Ray is preferred.
Benefits:
- Salary is commensurate with experience.
- Health and vision insurance.
- Matching SIMPLE IRA contributions.
- Professional development stipend.
- Opportunities for growth.
Sanders Pace Architecture is an equal opportunity employer.
Correspondence via email only: Please submit a resume and digital portfolio (PDF Format < 10MB) to info@sanderspace.com. No calls, please.
The talk will focus on stories of Knoxville’s past, present, and future through a series of projects that illustrate how local conditions and circumstances inform the Firm’s design process. The talk will include a cross-section of work that varies in type and scale within a context that stretches across the Tennessee Valley from Knoxville’s urban neighborhoods to the edge of the Cumberland Plateau and the Great Smoky Mountains.
This lecture is free and open to the public, a link to register can be found HERE.