McCarty is Tennessee’s only architect to receive the recognition this year.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced that Doug McCarty, of McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects, Inc., (MHM) was elevated to its prestigious College of Fellows. AIA Fellows are recognized with the AIA’s highest membership honor for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society.

According to the AIA, 102 architects received the honor nationally, and McCarty was the only architect in Tennessee to be elevated as a fellow. Since the inception of the creation of this honor, only 14 architects from East Tennessee have been elevated to FAIA including Doug’s late father, Bruce McCarty, founder of MHM.

The AIA explains that architects who have made significant contributions to the profession and society and who exemplify architectural excellence can become a member of the AIA College of Fellows, and only three percent of AIA members achieve this distinction.

McCarty became President and Director of Design at MHM in 1984 and recently transitioned to the firm’s Chairman Emeritus.

MHM has partnered with other design professionals to design many iconic civic structures such as the Knoxville Convention Center, the Tennessee Theatre restoration, the McGhee Tyson Airport, and numerous projects at the University of Tennessee, including the new Student Union, Neyland Stadium, Mossman Laboratory Building, the new Zeanah Engineering Complex and the award-winning Art + Architecture Building.

McCarty has consistently played an important mentorship role at the University of Tennessee School of Architecture. He and MHM have consistently supported the school, its courses and student organizations and activities.

With his leadership team and inclusive process of employee involvement, McCarty and MHM have developed a firm culture of inclusion, consensus and fun. In recent years MHM has been recognized for its positive workplace environment. AIA Tennessee has awarded MHM the Emerging Professional Friendly Firm Award for the last three years and twice the Knoxville News-Sentinel Business Journal has selected MHM as a “Top Workplace,” the only architecture firm included.

Supporting the East Tennessee Community Design Center (ETCDC) has been the major focus of McCarty’s charitable and volunteer efforts. The ETCDC is one of the oldest continuously operating design centers in the United States. McCarty has served on the board for more than 40 years. He has led fundraising efforts and forged partnerships between the ETCDC and numerous community groups. Serving the region for more than 50 years, the ETCDC serves 16 counties in East Tennessee, with over 1,000 projects completed.

McCarty will be celebrated along with the other 2021 AIA Fellows later in the year in an investiture ceremony in Washington, DC.

Learn more about Doug’s prestigious career & contributions to architecture: 2021 FAIA Book

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The MHM team is guided by an approach to the delivery of planning and design services that has been developed over the 55-year span of its practice. MHM’s collaborative effort between the design team and the client is paramount to the success of a project. The MHM approach is based upon our belief in the clarity of process, commitment to comprehensive documentation, and dedication to taking responsibility for the project from beginning to end. This design process, balanced by research, observation, and introspection, yields the best results when conducted through work sessions. MHM is dedicated to enhancing a client’s culture, image, and brand while balancing a project’s complex parameters. For more information, visit .

Butler, Honeycutt, Thurman, Wang slated to continue firm’s legacy.

After more than five decades in the business, one of the leading architectural design practices in the East Tennessee region is entering into its next chapter with a leadership transition. McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects & Interior Design, Inc. (MHM) announces the transition of four experienced team members to Principal roles readying the firm for long-term sustainability and growth. They are Margaret Butler, Nathan Honeycutt, John Thurman, and Li Wang.  

This announcement also coincides with the transition of Doug McCarty from President and CEO to Chairman Emeritus and the retirements of longtime leaders, David Collins and Jeff Johnson. McCarty, who had been President and CEO since 1984, will remain involved with the firm for the foreseeable future. Collins will retire at the end of 2020 and Johnson’s retirement will be effective late 2021.

“Margaret, Nathan, John, and Li are the right leaders for the future and legacy of MHM, and this has been a very carefully planned out succession,” said McCarty, who grew up in the firm as it was co-founded by his father, Bruce McCarty, and Bob Holsaple to originally form Bruce McCarty and Associates in 1965. The firm later evolved to MHM.

“MHM prides itself on providing a culture of team member collaboration and mentorship,” said McCarty. “It is because of this approach that we decided to fully transition the leadership of the firm to this dedicated, trusted and creative group from within our company to their Principal roles.”

“Through this transitional period, Doug, Jeff and I will be able to work with these Principals whom we’ve built friendships and great working relationships over a long period of time,” said Collins.

Johnson echoed those beliefs and explained that, “we look forward to continuing to offer exceptional value to our clients and see limitless opportunities for MHM’s growth and creative reach throughout the East Tennessee region under the confident leadership of Margaret, Nathan, John, and Li.”

According to McCarty, the new leadership team has more than 100 years of combined experience in the architecture and design industry.

Margaret Butler, AIA, LEED AP, is an award-winning and published leader who is focused on a studio-driven and collaborative approach to design and mentorship. Her design expertise covers a wide range of project types of varying size and complexity with an approach focused on delivering evidence-based design strategies to build success for MHM’s clients and their organizations.

Nathan Honeycutt, AIA, has been an award-winning leader on a variety of office, retail, hospitality, and educational buildings all over the world. With experience in both governmental and private development, he believes in a collaborative approach to project delivery, and works closely with clients and team members to determine unique and specific needs to provide impactful design solutions.

John Thurman, AIA, LEED AP, is a leader who is passionate about people, community, and design, and believes architecture is the ideal avenue to marry the three. With his engaging and extroverted nature, he finds fulfillment in transforming a client’s needs and desires into reality while shepherding a project from concept to completion by leading, coordinating, and collaborating with clients and team members alike.

Li Wang, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is an exceptional leader and effective consensus builder who has played a critical role in the firm’s portfolio of Higher Education and Science and Technology projects. Enthusiastic about design in context and place-making design approaches, she focuses on strengthening campus spaces as places that stimulate learning and promote collaboration, and supports the sustainable design culture and its integration into the design process. She also leads the firm’s Building Information Modeling (BIM) practice and its integration of design.

“Since the inception of MHM, we recognize our firm has been built upon our team’s commitment to provide our clients with thoughtful design solutions rooted in the foundation of exceptional management, collaboration, research and introspection,” the Principals said in a combined statement. “MHM has been successful because of the culture we have built over the years with Doug, Jeff, and David, so we fully understand its importance and look forward to continuing the firm’s legacy in our community. We are committed to deepening our existing industry and community relationships and seeking out new opportunities to be a total project partner for clients of all sizes and complexity.”

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The MHM team is guided by an approach to the delivery of planning and design services that has been developed over the 55-year span of its practice. MHM’s collaborative effort between the design team and the client is paramount to the success of a project. The MHM approach is based upon our belief in the clarity of process, commitment to comprehensive documentation, and dedication to taking responsibility for the project from beginning to end. This design process, balanced by research, observation, and introspection, yields the best results when conducted through work sessions. MHM is dedicated to enhancing a client’s culture, image, and brand while balancing a project’s complex parameters. For more information, visit .

MHM was once again recognized as an AIA Tennessee EP (Emerging Professional) Friendly Firm. We are proud to have been recognized for this award since its inception in 2017 and will continue to offer exemplary support and opportunities for Emerging Professionals to grow in our profession.

MHM looks forward to beginning the design process for the Lauderdale County Agricultural Events Center in Florence, Alabama. The new center will be a multi-use community facility to accommodate a wide variety of uses and events including concerts, rodeos, graduations, athletic competitions, family entertainment shows, as well as livestock and equestrian competitions and events. The master plan also envisions the development of a new state VoTech educational facility, retail, hotels, exhibition center, livestock arena/barn and RV camping to augment this multi-venue complex. MHM is working with equestrian and event expert Charles D. Smith Architecture & Planning; landscape architect, IBI Placemaking and Volkert Inc. as construction manager.

MHM is excited to see progress underway at the downtown Marriott Conversion. The Marriott is a two-phase, hotel brand conversion with Blaine Construction as CM and Interior Designers Stonehill Taylor. The project includes site improvements, exterior façade and mechanical system upgrades, and a full lobby and guestroom renovation. The banquet halls on the park level will receive a full renovation as well, including an expanded ballroom space.

In addition to the hotel renovation, the public focused areas adjacent to both the Marriott and The Tennessean will get a major facelift. A new entry between the two hotels will feature local muralists’ work, while openings along the World’s Fair Park Façade will connect the renovated interior spaces to the park. Newly branded program including a local coffee shop, restaurant and gameroom, and a retail area showcasing local makers will breathe new life into the currently underutilized space.