The project, at large, has consisted of a series of design exploration within a mountain community in eastern Tennessee. The first is a conceptual study for an arts center on the site where there are beautiful existing stone ‘ruins’ which were the result of an abandoned 19th Century residence. The overriding goal of the study was to devise a strategy that creates a habitable, functional arts building that serves the event related needs of the community while being deferential to the surrounding ruins and incorporating them into the experience on the site.

The second study is for a sculptural portal that marks the entrance to an extensive trail network within the community. The intent of the design was to create an object, located at the edge of an open field, that invites users to explore the trails beyond while blending materially with its natural surroundings. This project is being fabricated by a local sculptor and will be installed in 2025.