Where the city meets the greenway, architecture becomes a connector, open, warm, and rooted in community

Design Integration

May 2025

Team work

Reimagining a vacant site in South Knoxville as a sustainable hostel that bridges the neighborhood’s residential and commercial zones, the design prioritizes community, interaction, and connection to the surrounding urban fabric. Mass timber serves as the primary structural material, chosen for its low carbon footprint and as a conscious alternative to high-emission concrete.

The hostel engages its context by transforming an adjacent, underutilized train track into a greenway, establishing a new pedestrian corridor that encourages movement, gathering, and engagement with nature. Within the building, circulation and shared spaces are designed to foster interaction among guests while preserving comfort and privacy in the sleeping areas.

The Nook reflects a commitment to sustainability, social connection, and responsible material choices, creating a warm, inclusive environment that strengthens both the community and its sense of place.