Nov. 06, 2025
Johnson Architecture has earned a 2025 Keep Knoxville Beautiful Orchids Award for the adaptive reuse of its headquarters, transforming a fading industrial building into a striking, purpose-built office space.
Located at 2018 Davenport Road in the South Knoxville Waterfront District, the design of the restored building honored the original industrial character of the structure, while modernizing it for contemporary office needs. When Johnson Architecture acquired the property, the structure and site needed care to return to vitality.
“Rather than remove any trace of the building and grounds, we decided on a design route that would blend our needs with a mission to preserve as much of the original form as possible,” said Johnson Architecture’s Jeff Williamson, vice president and principal architect. “Our entire team appreciates this recognition from Keep Knoxville Beautiful for the finished product.”
Keep Knoxville Beautiful presents Orchids Awards to Knoxville and Knox County buildings, public art, and outdoor spaces that beautify and elevate the local landscape. Johnson Architecture’s headquarters was honored in the redesign/reuse category at a ceremony held Nov. 5 at the Knoxville Museum of Art.
The 1920s-era building was constructed of concrete block using gabled trusses. Johnson Architecture’s renovation added modern features while staying true to the original structure. Examples included introducing a simple detailed glass, wood and steel box onto the front of the building to serve as the company’s main conference room and creating an inviting covered entry for employees and guests without removing the form of the original block building.
The parking lot was reconstructed using permeable pavers, enhancing both sustainability and curb appeal. Thoughtful zone-appropriate landscaping further enhanced the outdoor transformation.
The building’s redevelopment previously earned an AIA East Tennessee Honor Award for renovation/restoration and a Knox Heritage Preservation Merit Award.
Other Johnson Architecture projects nominated for 2025 Orchids Awards include KCDC’s First Creek at Austin phase 2 in the new architecture category and both Kern’s Food Hall and Vida and the Vault in the redesign/reuse category.
Previous Johnson Architecture-designed projects earning Orchids Awards include KCDC’s First Creek at Austin phase 1 in the new architecture category in 2023; Chesapeake’s West in the restaurant/café/bar/brewery category in 2020; KCDC’s Five Points phase 2 in the new architecture category in 2019; Marble Hall and Marble Pavilion in the outdoor space category; and Zoo Knoxville in the public art category in 2018.
To learn more, please visit jainc.com.
About Johnson Architecture, Inc.
Founded in 1994, Johnson Architecture is a full-service design firm offering planning, architectural, and interior design services for a variety of facility types. The JAI team has members who specialize in commercial, education, healthcare, residential, themed entertainment, restaurant, and spiritual developments of all sizes. Clients include Blount County Schools, Clayton Homes, DENSO, Dollywood, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, RT Lodge, Tennova Healthcare, and The University of Tennessee. For more information, visit jainc.com.
