Each year various types of residential projects are nominated. These range from suburban subdivisions to new condominiums in Central Knoxville. Infill housing projects are often nominated and tonight’s winning development emerges from those efforts. The commission was very impressed with the reuse of vacant lots in creating the Gratz Street houses.

Click on the images below to open larger views.

These two new houses were built on the former site of McCallie School. Their Craftsman-style architecture complements the older houses of the surrounding Fourth & Gill neighborhood.

The energy-saving measures in constructing both houses were extraordinary. The corner house, 803 Gratz Street, was designed by and is now the residence of Juan Mino. Its bungalow-like exterior conceals a Mediterranean interior, built of concrete form walls, providing substantial insulating value.

Elizabeth Eason, the architect responsible for designing the house next door, is also to be commended. This bungalow, at 807 Gratz Street , was built to realize LEED Silver energy saving standards.

Among the environmentally sustainable products are floors and counter tops, both constructed of compressed, recycled materials that were developed by Tennessee firms.

Together, the owners and architects collaborated to design a unique water saving system. A rain garden is fed by the roof runoff from the adjacent house. In turn, a pump is used to distribute the water to the gardens.

A new alley was created in the spirit of the original street system, providing an easy way to reach yards and back doors.

Gratz Street is a better place today. The new houses were built according to historic district guidelines and are exemplary infill houses. The Fourth & Gill Neighborhood continues to be a magnet for Knoxville’s return-to-the-City movement.