On March 28, 2025, community leaders and partners gathered to celebrate the restoration of the historic Rule House and its new role as the home of Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville’s Anchor Program. MHM is proud to have played a role in preserving this architectural treasure while helping it serve a new and meaningful purpose.

Located at 2445 E. Magnolia Avenue, the Rule House was originally built in 1921 by Dr. Andrew Lafayette Rule, a well-respected physician known for his generosity and community-minded spirit. Dr. Rule often accepted homegrown vegetables as payment for medical care and welcomed boarders into his home, making it a cornerstone of the neighborhood.

Through the vision of The Grandiflora Foundation and the dedication of LHP and Autism Breakthrough, the home has been thoughtfully restored to honor its past while adapting to meet present-day needs. The renovation retains its historic charm while creating a functional and inviting space for the Anchor Program, which provides essential life skills and support for adults with autism transitioning to independent living.

The Grandiflora Foundation selected Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville as the new tenant ensuring that the home continues to serve the community—just as Dr. Rule originally intended.

The ribbon-cutting event was a testament to the collaborative effort that made this transformation possible. With the support of LHP, The Grandiflora Foundation, and dedicated community partners, the Rule House now stands as a symbol of preservation and progress, offering new opportunities for those it serves.

MHM is honored to have contributed to the renovation of this historic Knoxville landmark and looks forward to seeing the Anchor Program thrive in its new home.

For more information about Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville, visit .

The (KCT) is set to breathe new life into the historic Foundry building, a structure with roots dating back to 1865. The renovation will honor the building’s storied past while transforming it into a state-of-the-art venue for children’s theater.

The existing event hall will be reimagined to include a grand lobby, a rehearsal space, a black box theater, and a 250-seat auditorium. A modest addition will accommodate a fly loft, scene shop, costume shop, and other essential support areas, ensuring seamless production capabilities.

The architectural vision is inspired by the “moment of anticipation” in theater—the captivating pause when the lights dim, the curtain begins to retract, and the performance begins. This is manifested externally using curtain-like window openings that break down the mass of the new addition while the contrasting brick color differentiates the new architectural intervention. Internally, new program elements feature flowing, curtain-inspired forms that juxtapose harmoniously with the historic masonry and timber framework, creating a dialogue between old and new.

This revitalization project preserves a significant piece of Knoxville’s heritage while providing KCT with an inspiring platform to continue its mission of fostering creativity and learning through the performing arts.

Read more on

McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects & Interior Designers (MHM) proudly announces that the Oakland Court Housing Development has received a prestigious NAHRO Agency Award of Merit in the Affordable Housing category. The award was presented at the 2024 NAHRO National Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.

MHM’s Principal Margaret Butler and MHA’s Thomas Rowe receive award from NAHRO officials.

The Oakland Court Housing Development embodies the Murfreesboro Housing Authority’s commitment to providing high-quality, sustainable, and affordable housing options. As the project’s architect, MHM is deeply honored to have partnered on this transformative initiative that meets the community’s housing needs while fostering a vibrant, welcoming environment for its residents.

The project’s design emphasizes sustainability and livability, featuring energy-efficient systems, accessible layouts, and community-oriented amenities. The redevelopment replaced outdated housing units with modern, functional homes, reflecting MHM’s dedication to creating spaces that enhance quality of life.

The NAHRO Agency Awards of Merit honor innovative housing and community development projects that address critical needs in creative and effective ways. The recognition of Oakland Court underscores the value of collaborative efforts in delivering affordable housing solutions that inspire pride and opportunity.

For more information, see MHM’s project description for the Oakland Court Development.

During its Annual Convention, the Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA) recognized architectural firms for their excellence in design by presenting the TSBA School of the Year Awards. Awards were granted in five categories: New Construction of Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, Renovation, and the People’s Choice award, which was selected by TSBA membership.

MHM in collaboration with the Architect of Record, Design Innovation Architects (DIA), was recognized for the design of the Athens PreK-5 School in both the Elementary School and People’s Choice categories.

The consolidation of Athens City Schools was driven by the need to address stagnant growth, aging facilities, and increasing operational and maintenance costs. The decision was made to merge two primary schools, two intermediate schools, and one middle school into a more efficient two-school system.

By creating a new PreK-5 school, four aging facilities were replaced, saving on costly repairs and maintenance. Additionally, the strategic location of the new school adjacent to Athens City Middle School presented an opportunity to establish a single PreK-8 campus. Overall, this new PreK-5 school design supports more efficient operational costs, enhanced security and monitoring, allows for expanded educational programs, and consolidates resources that enhance curriculum opportunities.

This innovative and efficient concept of two schools under one roof allows the school to maintain its primary and intermediate grade structure while creating a conducive learning environment for its 1,340 students. The school is divided into two independent schools with separate primary and intermediate classroom wings, each having its own administration areas and entries.

Read more about the project, here.

MHM proudly announces that the Webb School of Knoxville - The Bailey Family Fitness & Training Center - was awarded the Combined-Level Schools Citation and appeared in the —the premier showcase celebrating the best in education design.

With a focus on health and fitness, The Bailey Family Fitness & Training Center is a state-of-the-art facility designed to be welcoming and inclusive to the full school community.

““It creates a really nice place to get young people active and coming together to get fit.” ”

— 2024 Jury

A jury of American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on Architecture for Education members and education administrators evaluated submissions from architectural firms, schools, and universities across the county. Sixty-five projects were selected for publication in AS&U, an educational facilities, purchasing, and business administration magazine reaching 57,000 facility planners, school and university administrators, and architects.