The East Tennessee Community Design Center (ETCDC) was asked by Care Cuts of Knoxville founder, Martha “Marti” LaRue Baker and Care Cuts Board Members Brookney Morrell, Jannette Burgin, and Board President Tim Hill to study the existing buildings and site, consider the placement of a newly donated entrance trailer and shower trailer and develop concepts for a campus master plan. Faris Eid, AIA served as the ETCDC professional advisor.

Care Cuts of Knoxville is a non-profit operated solely by volunteers. It serves the homeless by providing free haircuts and grooming services on the first Sunday of every month. Since their launch, they have grown to provide the homeless with meals, optical testing and glasses, clothing, transportation, and job resources. They can serve over 500 meals on any given Sunday.

Perry Childress, ETCDC and Program Coordinator, and Marti Baker met at the site in March and discussed programming requirements. The ETCDC then facilitated a video conference meeting to review the interior design options of the existing block building and discuss the campus layout.

From the input gathered, the design team developed new building layouts and reconfigured the campus plan. The entrance trailer is to be located parallel to Williams Street and placed to allow for new landscaping, decorative steel fencing, and benches for clients waiting to check-in. Since Care Cuts shares the site with another business, it is important to keep the existing driving area clear. The site plan does propose relocating the gated entrance to the site to allow for easier traffic flow patterns. Due to recent sidewalk construction, the relocation of the curb cut will need to be reviewed by the city.

The entrance trailer will have an ADA-accessible ramp and stair added. The trailer will allow for client check-in, an administrative office, counseling offices, and a clothing dispersal area. Portable toilets will be located in a new screened area to the left of the entrance trailer to allow for clear visibility from the front, but they will be concealed from the street.

The entrance trailer, existing storage trailers, and covered carports are re-located on the site to create a courtyard space with the existing building. The courtyard can be used as a waiting area before a client service is provided. It will create an area for seating with overhead lighting, canvas sails to protect from the elements, and a covered stage area.

The existing block building will be renovated to house the client services areas including, laundry, food dispersal, client hair cutting, and grooming areas. There will be new garage doors with tempered glass inserts and man doors added for exiting purposes. There will be a new metal canopy with columns added to the side of the building, which will allow for covered seating for 90 clients. This does not extend past the allowable footprint. The front and back facades of the existing building can be enhanced by adding colorful murals.