williams street loft in tennessee by hefferlin + kronenberg architects

williams street loft in tennessee by hefferlin + kronenberg architects
photo by sarah dorio
all images courtesy of hefferlin + kronenberg architects

hefferlin + kronenberg architects were approached by an outdoor gear and clothing mogul to overhaul a 12,000 square foot industrial building he purchased in downtown chattanooga, tennessee, and develop it into an indoor / outdoor living space for his family. having previously functioned as a marble fabrication shop, the early 1900’s structure’s existing decking, two foot thick unreinforced concrete walls, heavy timer, columns and wood joists served as an important base framework for the lofted environment the client envisioned.

the rear of the existing building was demolished to create and outdoor living space
photo by sarah dorio

keeping inline with the client’s wish to achieve a sustainable construction, the materials from the original build were employed in the renovation. timber and decking were salvaged from the rear of the property and used in the home’s floors, furniture and woodworking; with demolished concrete ground down to act as aggregate to repave the yard.

wood from the original structure has been used in the flooring and furniture of the home
photo by sarah dorio

to create a dominant outdoor zone for the family, half of the volume was removed in order to make room for an expansive backyard and pool area, with the old perimeter walls left intact to ensure privacy from neighbours. in continuing with the social aspects of the external green space, the first floor of the dwelling has been organized around public and communal spaces in which the kitchen, living and dining room have been designed as one large room opening outwards via large glass doors; while the second level houses more private quarters for the family that have been arranged around a central hall.

the ground floor’s kitchen, living and dining room have been designed as one open room
photo by sarah dorio

situated just two doors down from the owner’s official business headquarters, the ‘williams street loft tennessee’ offers an urban retreat for its inhabitants in a commercial context.

kitchen
photo by sarah dorio

living room
photo by sarah dorio

stairway leading up to the second floor
photo by sarah dorio

the second level houses more private family programs
photo by sarah dorio

project info:

design team: heidi hefferlin, daniel oakley, clifton mccormick
landscape architect: larry bannier
general contractor: chazler inc.
photography: sarah dorio