Second chance for i-house on edge of downtown (Knoxville, Maryville: fit in, mobile home)

[weisgarber1]

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

It's aliiiiiiive! Second chance for i-house on edge of downtown | Property Scope | knoxnews.com

[hiknapster]

I can't believe it! This is great news. And up this summer, too. Wow.

[J&Em]

I must have missed something about why this is important to have in Knoxville? I see the same "house" on display whenever I go up Alcoa Highway to Knoxville in Alcoa. It's close to the highway in the Clayton display lot opposite the airport.

[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by J&Em

I must have missed something about why this is important to have in Knoxville? I see the same "house" on display whenever I go up Alcoa Highway to Knoxville in Alcoa. It's close to the highway in the Clayton display lot opposite the airport.

The issue is having it close to, or in downtown. There was another article/post earlier that pointed out the issues.

[hiknapster]

I have no idea why anyone would think it is important, but I know why I do.

I think that it will be positive to look at, if it can be seen from the highway.

And it what it says to the casual passer-by is wow, that is cutting edge.

It's Ikea.

It's green.

Knoxville must be a place for innovation.

And to send that message to the folks just passing through can and will have a positive ripple effect.

That's my 2 cents, so take it for what it is worth.

[jabogitlu]

I agree. Tying Tennessee industry (especially cutting edge/green) to downtown Knoxville just makes sense. It's interesting, will promote discussion and perhaps even a little tourism. People are so ****ing knee-jerk around here. The best, most vibrant cities that we all absolutely gush over (Greenville, Asheville) have really interesting architecture and a certain funkiness to them.

[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

The best, most vibrant cities that we all absolutely gush over (Greenville, Asheville) have really interesting architecture and a certain funkiness to them.

Figuratively speaking of course, since we all don't gush over them.

[J&Em]

It looks like I didn't express myself well enough. I was not trying to be snarky or sarcastic when I asked. I honestly did not get why having the I-House on display somewhere in Knoxville was important ( as in why it so important to display a second one and why is it important to those in Knoxville that Knoxville have a "display").

My puzzlement stems from the fact that the company is based in Maryville and pass the I-House at least once a week and never quite thought it was note worthy enough for tourism. No one seems to look or care that I can see, although I have been tempted to stop in and see for myself every so often. It seems "green" and has some interesting aspects due to its Ikea flavor, certainly not your usual manufactured home. I understand there has even been some buzz about using some of its features for getting housing set up more rapidly in Haiti, which in turn may make a display here look forward thinking.

Thanks for the education....

[Brian]

i-house looks very nifty - doesn't look like your typical trailer/mobile home. I wouldn't mind to live in it. I'd probably need to lose some pounds in order to live in one.

Didn't Jim consolidate/move all of his companies headquarters to downtown Knoxville in the building what used to house BankFirst (perhaps now known as Clayton Bank and Trust?) headquarters?

[creeksitter]

Aren't there design guidelines for downtown? I can only assume this falls outside the guideline area. Because it sure doesn't fit in with the look of downtown.

I'll admit the libertarian side of me doesn't care much for guidelines, but there is a preservationist /aesthetic side that says if you are going to have guidelines you ought to enforce them. With some flexibility, of course, but this doesn't have the urban scale.