1. Raccoon
Cyclist
Child
Librarian
Student
Wanderer
KNOX.FOLKn.inhabitants,i.e.“generalpeople”thatoccupythecityofKnoxville,TN.The
ordinarywhofailtoleaveamark,lackpoetics,beauty,romanticism,yetwitheachinsignificant
thread,createthefabricofacity,auniquepatchworkofvariedculturesandbackgrounds.Rather
than a singular character, the natives of Knoxville belong to factions of different archetypes:
the animal, the child, the wanderer, the cyclist, the student, the legend. Each contributes its
own element to the framework of the city, like cogs in a disjointed assemblage of machinery,
creating a certain charming chaos in their union. The program of this library will create a
contrast between the machine-like quality of the city, providing a place for the city’s makers
and true folk artists to create with the hand and turn away from the machine.
Precedent Projects:
The New York Times Building
//Renzo Piano
San Francisco Federal Office Building
//Renzo Piano
The Culture Yard
//AART Architects
Hysola Research Institute
//Gunter Behnisch
Psychogeographic Map Study
Preliminary Concept Section
Sketch

2. E X P E R I M E N T I N N O V A T ER E S E A R C HE X P L O R E
Steel. Machine. The Cormac McCarthy Research Library embodies
the meanings of each of these words and makes them come alive. An ample
makerspace provides opportunities for Knoxville locals to express themselves
and create the work they’ve had in their minds for so long, but until now had no
means to produce. Art from all over Knoxville, the United States, and across the
globe can be studied here by diving into the library’s stacks. Guests can explore
with their kids on the Children’s floor, take a break from the outside world and
walk through the local art exhibition space, or just stop in for a quick lunch
and cup of coffee at the library’s Suttree Café. The site embraces the outdoors
and provides access for pedestrians and bikers alike throughout the property.
The building’s expansive steel and glass southern façade frames views of the
Tennessee River for all guests to see.
FOLK
KNOX

6. Main (3rd) Floor Plan Optimal Interior to Exterior View Points
Points Of Access (Entry/Exit)
Concept Diagrams:
Desensitization
Entry
Suspension
Trial
Cafe Perspective
Preliminary Studies:
Scale: 1’ = 1/32”