Lauren Lucchesi, with MHM Architects, touches a cover for the lights in the second-floor bathrooms during a media tour of the Tennessee Theatre expansion at 612 South Gay Street on July 29, 2025.
Photo by: Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel

Exciting progress is happening at the historic 612 South Gay Street building—future home to the Tennessee Theatre’s expanded backstage and community spaces! MHM is proud to be part of this transformational project that supports the theatre’s growth while honoring its rich architectural legacy.

Recent features from Inside of Knoxville and the Knoxville News Sentinel offer a closer look at the renovation and the vision behind it:

We’re thrilled to see this beloved Knoxville institution making headlines as it prepares for an exciting new chapter.

We’re thrilled to share that MHM has been named one of Knoxville News Sentinel’s Top Workplaces for the third year in a row! This year, we were especially honored to receive a Specialty Award for Social Responsibility—recognizing our team’s ongoing efforts to make a meaningful impact in the community.

At MHM, we believe great design is more than buildings—it’s about people. Whether we’re volunteering, mentoring students, or supporting local organizations, our employees care deeply about giving back. That shared value shows up in the projects we pursue and the way we show up for Knoxville and beyond.

The Top Workplaces list is based entirely on confidential employee feedback gathered through an independent survey. It measures everything from culture and leadership to opportunities for growth, flexibility, and feeling respected and supported. In short, it’s a genuine snapshot of how our team experiences life at MHM—and we couldn’t be prouder of what that says.

A huge thank you to our amazing staff for the energy, creativity, and heart they bring to the office (and the job site) every day. You make MHM a Top Workplace—not just on a list, but in real life.

We’re excited to see momentum building around the East Magnolia Avenue revitalization efforts in East Knoxville—an important initiative that MHM is proud to be part of. A recent spotlights the City-approved plans for the Grandiflora, a new community event venue, and shares local perspectives on the renovation’s potential to bring positive change while honoring the area’s identity and heritage.

MHM is working with the City and the Grandiflora Foundation to ensure the design blends with the neighborhood’s historic fabric while making space for meaningful growth. We’re encouraged by the community’s optimism and look forward to helping shape a more vibrant and inclusive corridor.

Catch the full story from WBIR:

We’re excited to welcome five talented interns to the MHM team this summer! From interior architecture to architecture and storytelling to sustainability, they each bring unique perspectives, creativity, and enthusiasm to our office.

Pictured left to right: Caleb Nutt, Landon Parker, Mollie Smith, Maya Markowicz, and Eli Oliver.

Caleb Nutt

• School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Major: Bachelor of Architecture 2025; pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture 2026

• Fun Fact: When he’s not working or studying, Caleb loves basketball, spikeball, hiking, and kayaking—anything that gets him outdoors soaking up the sun.

Landon Parker

• School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Graduate Study: Master of Architecture, Class of 2027

• Fun Fact: Landon loves Knoxville’s outdoor scene and urban trails. Recently, he traveled to Marfa, Texas to study the works of Donald Judd, combining his passion for travel and design.

Mollie Smith

• School: East Tennessee State University

• Major: Interior Architecture, Class of 2026

• Minors: Storytelling & Leadership Studies

• Fun Fact: Mollie has studied abroad in five countries—England, Greece, Italy, Ireland, and France—exploring how different cultures express identity and history through design.

Maya Markowicz

• School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Major: Interior Architecture, Class of 2026

• Minor: Sustainability

• Fun Fact: Maya enjoys creating upcycled art—turning cans into planters, old CDs into mosaics, and beads into wind chimes—blending creativity with sustainability.

Eli Oliver

• School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Major: Bachelor of Architecture, Class of 2026

• Fun Fact: A trumpet player in the Pride of the Southland Band, Eli has performed everywhere from Madison Square Garden to London, sharing a bit of “Rocky Top” wherever he goes.

We’re thrilled to have these future designers on board this summer and can’t wait to see their creativity in action!

On May 14, 2025, local officials, educators, and community members gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Farragut Elementary School, a major step forward in addressing growth and overcrowding in West Knox County. McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects (MHM) designed the new facility in partnership with Knox County Schools, continuing a long-standing relationship focused on delivering thoughtful, student-centered learning environments.

Located at 202 Village Commons Boulevard, the one-story school is designed to serve up to 1,400 students and will help alleviate crowding at existing Farragut Primary and Intermediate schools. The design features flexible classrooms, collaborative learning areas, a modern media center, and outdoor spaces that support both play and hands-on learning.

The $43.7 million project is expected to be completed in time for the 2027 school year. MHM is proud to be part of a team working to ensure that every Knox County student has access to a safe, welcoming, and inspiring place to learn.