Doug McCarty Honored with AIA Lifetime Achievement Award

We are excited to announce that Doug McCarty, FAIA, Chairman Emeritus at McCarty Holsaple McCarty, has received the prestigious William Strickland Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Institute of Architects Tennessee Chapter (AIA Tennessee). He was honored during the 2025 AIA Tennessee Conference on Architecture, held in August at the Embassy Suites Downtown in Nashville. The annual awards gala recognized decades of leadership, service, and transformative contributions to Tennessee’s built environment.

Over his five-decade career, Doug has left an indelible mark on East Tennessee’s architecture and community. His notable projects include the Knoxville Convention Center, the University of Tennessee’s Art + Architecture Building (itself selected through a national design competition and widely respected in architectural education), and the restoration of the Tennessee Theatre.

But Doug’s influence goes beyond buildings. He has served on the board of the East Tennessee Community Design Center (ETCDC) for over 40 years, helping to sustain pro bono design services for underserved communities across 16 counties. His mentorship through both his firm and professional service has helped shape many generations of architects and designers.

This award is a celebration of Doug’s lifelong dedication to design, to leadership, and to community. We at MHM are deeply proud of his recognition.

In the News: The 612 Building Tennessee Theatre’s Expansion

Lauren Lucchesi, with MHM Architects, touches a cover for the lights in the second-floor bathrooms during a media tour of the Tennessee Theatre expansion at 612 South Gay Street on July 29, 2025.
Photo by: Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel

Exciting progress is happening at the historic 612 South Gay Street building—future home to the Tennessee Theatre’s expanded backstage and community spaces! MHM is proud to be part of this transformational project that supports the theatre’s growth while honoring its rich architectural legacy.

Recent features from Inside of Knoxville and the Knoxville News Sentinel offer a closer look at the renovation and the vision behind it:

We’re thrilled to see this beloved Knoxville institution making headlines as it prepares for an exciting new chapter.

MHM Named Top Workplace—3 Years Running

We’re thrilled to share that MHM has been named one of Knoxville News Sentinel’s Top Workplaces for the third year in a row! This year, we were especially honored to receive a Specialty Award for Social Responsibility—recognizing our team’s ongoing efforts to make a meaningful impact in the community.

At MHM, we believe great design is more than buildings—it’s about people. Whether we’re volunteering, mentoring students, or supporting local organizations, our employees care deeply about giving back. That shared value shows up in the projects we pursue and the way we show up for Knoxville and beyond.

The Top Workplaces list is based entirely on confidential employee feedback gathered through an independent survey. It measures everything from culture and leadership to opportunities for growth, flexibility, and feeling respected and supported. In short, it’s a genuine snapshot of how our team experiences life at MHM—and we couldn’t be prouder of what that says.

A huge thank you to our amazing staff for the energy, creativity, and heart they bring to the office (and the job site) every day. You make MHM a Top Workplace—not just on a list, but in real life.

In the News: East Magnolia Renovation Project Moves Forward

We’re excited to see momentum building around the East Magnolia Avenue revitalization efforts in East Knoxville—an important initiative that MHM is proud to be part of. A recent WBIR story spotlights the City-approved plans for the Grandiflora, a new community event venue, and shares local perspectives on the renovation’s potential to bring positive change while honoring the area’s identity and heritage.

MHM is working with the City and the Grandiflora Foundation to ensure the design blends with the neighborhood’s historic fabric while making space for meaningful growth. We’re encouraged by the community’s optimism and look forward to helping shape a more vibrant and inclusive corridor.

Catch the full story from WBIR:
East Knoxville neighbors cautiously optimistic about City-approved renovation along East Magnolia

MHM Welcomes 2025 Summer Interns

We’re excited to welcome five talented interns to the MHM team this summer! From interior architecture to architecture and storytelling to sustainability, they each bring unique perspectives, creativity, and enthusiasm to our office.

Pictured left to right: Caleb Nutt, Landon Parker, Mollie Smith, Maya Markowicz, and Eli Oliver.

Caleb Nutt

  • School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Major: Bachelor of Architecture 2025; pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture 2026

  • Fun Fact: When he’s not working or studying, Caleb loves basketball, spikeball, hiking, and kayaking—anything that gets him outdoors soaking up the sun.

Landon Parker

  • School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Graduate Study: Master of Architecture, Class of 2027

  • Fun Fact: Landon loves Knoxville’s outdoor scene and urban trails. Recently, he traveled to Marfa, Texas to study the works of Donald Judd, combining his passion for travel and design.

Mollie Smith

  • School: East Tennessee State University

  • Major: Interior Architecture, Class of 2026

  • Minors: Storytelling & Leadership Studies

  • Fun Fact: Mollie has studied abroad in five countries—England, Greece, Italy, Ireland, and France—exploring how different cultures express identity and history through design.

Maya Markowicz

  • School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Major: Interior Architecture, Class of 2026

  • Minor: Sustainability

  • Fun Fact: Maya enjoys creating upcycled art—turning cans into planters, old CDs into mosaics, and beads into wind chimes—blending creativity with sustainability.

Eli Oliver

  • School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Major: Bachelor of Architecture, Class of 2026

  • Fun Fact: A trumpet player in the Pride of the Southland Band, Eli has performed everywhere from Madison Square Garden to London, sharing a bit of “Rocky Top” wherever he goes.

We’re thrilled to have these future designers on board this summer and can’t wait to see their creativity in action!

SIGN UP FOR THE mhm nEWSLETTER