THE AVIARY TAKES FLIGHT

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga South Campus housing residents now have student-centric space within easy walking distance of their residence halls.

The Aviary at Stacy Town Center was introduced in January, a community space designed to serve the social and academic needs of students residing in Decosimo, Guerry, Stophel, Walker and UC Foundation Apartments. While there are student meeting spots at the University Center, UTC Library and recently-renovated Lupton Hall, there weren’t any spaces of note on the south side of McCallie Avenue.

Located at the corner of East Eighth and University streets in front of the Decosimo Apartments, The Aviary was conceptualized and designed by students in the UTC Interior Architecture and Design program. The process began in the summer of 2021 when Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Abeer Mustafa met with Interior Architecture and Design faculty members—including Associate Professor Jessica Etheredge—to discuss creating student spaces across campus. They quickly focused on a Stacy Town Center student lounge area.

During the fall 2021 semester, third-year students enrolled in Etheredge’s Commercial Interiors I course were divided into groups of two for a four-week project. They gathered information through research, brainstorming, site visits, field measurements of the space, interviewing Housing and Residence Life staff and surveying students living in the apartments.

The student tandems developed design concepts and proposals for the approximate 3,300-square-foot Stacy Town Center using the information and feedback. Presentations were then made to a group that included Mustafa, Chancellor Steven R. Angle and members of the UC Foundation—which funded the $500,000 renovation based on the winning student concept.

“After the final presentations and the students left the room, the discussion immediately turned to, ‘We’re going to get this approved. This is going to happen. This is going to take place,’” recalls Etheredge. “Dr. Mustafa was all about, ‘Let’s recognize and celebrate the students. Let’s present this. Let’s hire some of the students as project managers so they can see the process first-hand.’”

The Aviary concept was the idea of students J.T. Taylor and Jacob Ridenour, who both graduated in May.

“Wow, what an experience to be part of,” Ridenour says. “This has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of, and to have made a mark quite literally at UTC is just a real humbling experience.”

“Not only is it humbling, but it also is elevating,” adds Taylor. “It’s definitely something that’s going to stand out in a portfolio. It’s very exciting.”