Project Director

Etheredge, Jessica

Department Examiner

Hathcock, Sarah

Department

School of Professional Studies

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

This thesis project explores how the transformation of a local building in the community can bring people together through adaptive reuse. The Brainerd Junior High School was built in 1930 and designed by Chattanoogan architect R.H. Hunt, who has designed many significant buildings in the area such as the Medical Arts Building, 2nd Presbyterian Church, Lookout Mountain Hotel (Carter Hall, Covenant College), Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Auditorium, the Chattanooga Bank Building, and many other beloved buildings in the area. The Brainerd Junior High School building was expanded in 1956 and 1959 and changed ownership and became the magnet school, 21st Century which lasted from 1994-2009. Since the closing of the school’s doors, the building has been largely unused. The current owner, Jay Mace, has utilized the space as a community center, although only a few areas of the building are in use and most of it remains largely unchanged since the building’s closure. Because of the significance of the structure in both the history and the condition with maintained colonial style detailing, the building is well suited to be the location of an adaptive reuse project that can bring new life into the building. After completing surveys and researching the area, the proposed use of this structure outlined in this thesis is a dedicated “third space” for the Brainerd area, with visitable art studios on the upper two levels and community focused spaces on the first, such as a coffee shop, restaurant, cinema, and open lobby areas. A third space is one where people can visit apart from their homes and places of work. These social environments are vital to building community and creating a sense of place in an area. Following guidance from the Secretary of Historic Interiors, this project aims to respect the building, particularly the front façade, and make changes when appropriate to meet current needs. On top of this, WELL standards were researched and certain credits were implemented into the design to improve occupant wellbeing through methods such as encouraged stair use and support for hygienic processes in restrooms. This project serves the community in need of gathering spaces while providing access to a landmark of the Brainerd Area.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my professors guiding me through this process: Sarah Hathcock and Jessica Etheredge. I'm grateful for my mentor, Ross Young, who helped in vetting my ideas and encouraged me to think deeper and think practically. Jay Mace, the owner of the building, was incredibly helpful in allowing our class to visit the building and provide insights into the community and space. Finally, Todd Morgan was a huge help in talking over the historic side of things and provided great insight to the approach of this building.

Degree

B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Date

8-2026

Subject

Adaptive reuse of buildings--Tennessee--Chattanooga; Third places (Sociology); Historic buildings--Conservation and restoration--Tennessee--Chattanooga

Keyword

Adaptive Reuse, Interior Design, Third Spaces, Community Spaces, Historic Structures, Brainerd Junior High

Discipline

Historic Preservation and Conservation

Document Type

Theses

Extent

140 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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