Now and Later
"Whoever is writing the check gets to
make the decisions," says architect Heidi
Hefferlin, AIA. The statement is both
simple and profound. For Hefferlin +
Kronenberg Architects (HK), funding their
own development work has helped reshape
their home base of Chattanooga, Tenn.,
and elevated the firm's design profile at
the same time.
HK has focused its development activity
in a part of the city called the Southside
Historic District, not far from its office on
E. Main Street. City skylines and moun-
tain views distinguish the neighborhood,
which is also easy walking distance to
restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops. So
far, the firm has contributed several small
townhouse developments (one of which the
married principals call home) to the area
and now, the "Lay Low," a single-
family residence with multiple purposes
and goals.
Chattanooga, is one of those small
cities that often earns a spot on "best plac-
es to live" lists. Not only does it have some
standout physical attributes—piedmont
topography, nearby mountains, and a sce-
nic river—it was the first city in that nation
to have its own independent Gigabit-speed
Sweating the Small Stuff
Four compact custom homes use thoughtful design to live large.
BY S. CLAIRE CONROY
DESIGN LAB
40 RESIDENTIALDESIGNMAGA ZINE.COM VOL. 2, 2017