McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects, Inc., has received Outstanding Project Awards in LEARNING BY DESIGN Magazine’s Fall 2023 Architectural and Interior Design Awards of Excellence edition. The Webb School of Knoxville - Middle School Innovation Center and the University of Tennessee Zeanah Engineering Complex have been recognized as award-winning benchmark facilities for incorporating next-generation learning space design and planning methodologies. The built environment characteristics found in each project are worthy of replication by other educators and design professionals when creating improved learning spaces.

“This addition seems truly impactful and transformative to the overall operation of the school and enhancing its pedagogy. The emphasis and vareity of maker spaces and project based learning facilities was essential for this population of students. This project utilized traditional exterior materiality while providing modern, 221st century learning spaces with extensive daylighting and all the needed flexibility and technological accoutrements. Outdoor learning spaces and abundant views to outdoors support a strong indoor-outdoor connection.”

- 2023 Judges on Webb School of Knoxville Middle School Innovation Center

All awarded entries were judged by a jury of seven design and education professionals recommended by the Association of Learning Environment (A4LE) and the authors and publisher of Learning By Design. The wide variety of projects such as the Webb School of Knoxville Middle School Innovation Center and UTK Zeanah Engineering Complex submitted materials such as floor and site plans, photographs, and written narratives that gave the jury enough information to score each on six specific criteria: Innovation, Community Needs, Interior Architecture and Design, Sustainability, Functional Design, and Next Generation Learning.

The jury further considered each project’s unique architectural qualities, space utilization, interior design finishes, choice of furnishings, and contemporary planning concepts that were successfully put in place. LEARNING BY DESIGN’s Fall 2023 jury applauded MHM for meeting or exceeding the six submission criteria on both projects.

“Plannin is spot on for a modern engineering building with two wings separated by a community space. There is a great variety of spaces that allow for differing modalities of learning. The building accommodates hands on experience and wonderful sustainable thought solutions. The openness of so many of the spaces will create community and expand casual collisions of ideas.”

- 2023 Judges on University of Tennessee Zeanah Engineering Complex

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