One of the joys of architecture is seeing plans and projects come to fruition. What begins as an idea becomes a sketch, then a blueprint, then a formal plan, and finally, something new in the world. 

This is true of the projects we build, but it’s also true of the culture and team we’re building here at George Armour Ewart, Architect. It’s been an eventful year so far, and the midpoint feels like a good time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished as a team in the communities we serve. 

As we move into the second half of 2023, let’s take a look at what we’ve been up to at the firm…

Good Eats in Pigeon Forge

In February, we celebrated a grand opening with one of our awesome clients, PizzaRio Wine + Bar! This Pigeon Forge eatery was one of our firm’s first completed projects in 2023. With one-of-a-kind Brazilian flavors, delicious cocktails, and a unique concept, this restaurant is an amazing addition to the area’s food scene and we’re honored to be part of their story.

Take Us Out to the Ballgame

Creating this new softball and baseball complex for West High School was a highlight early in the year. This brand new facility provides students with more space for sports, as well as room to host events. Best of all, it makes playing the game easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

The icing on top of the cake is that the West High Rebels won the first softball game they played on their new home field!

A Rocky Top Celebration

We’re proud of our hometown connections here in Knoxville and East Tennessee, so it was an honor to receive a 2023 Rocky Top Business Award in recognition of our outstanding three-year growth! 

The Rocky Top Business Awards are presented by the University of Tennessee Alumni Association every other year to celebrate the vast network of alumni entrepreneurs and innovators. This year, we enjoyed sharing this win with our community and we’re looking forward to even more growth to come moving forward.

New Additions to the Team

The GAEA team continues to grow, and so does our stable of projects and clients. So far this year, we’re thrilled to have welcomed multiple new additions to the firm: 

• Aubrey White from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Jessica Vanderlaan from South Florida
• East Tennessee native, Cody Grooms
• East Tennessee native, Dalton Whiteside
• North Carolinian, Tyler Lattro 
• Returning interns from last summer, Eli and Brooklynn

This growing group of professionals truly represents the best in the field and we’re extremely proud of our people.

Nurturing the Next Generation

We pride ourselves on recruiting and mentoring the brightest design minds. Our team thrives on the opportunity to pass on our knowledge and nurture the next generation of creatives. That’s why we take part in the University of Tennessee College of Architecture + Design Career Day every year.

This year, we had a fantastic time meeting soon-to-be graduates and chatting about the amazing opportunities Knoxville has to offer for up-and-coming architects and designers.

Designing Summer

One of our highlights each year is participating in UTK College of Architecture + Design’s Summer Design Camp. This exciting educational opportunity for high school students exposes them to the world of design and helps them express their creativity. The firm offers scholarship assistance each year and our founder, George Ewart, serves as an instructor and mentor to the students enrolled in the program.

Check us out on social media to keep with everything going on in our world or browse the blog for more news and updates like this!