Historic Zoning Commission

Knoxville High School H-1: Level II

5-D-16-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II. Major repair or replacement of materials(windows)

Replace existing deteriorated wooden double-hung windows with custom aluminum-clad wood windows by Pella or similar manufacturer, including the brick molding and sills to match existing in profile. The windows will be simulated-divided-light with muntins on the exterior as well as the interior and a shadow-bar between the glass panels. The original metal windows on the basement or ground level and small decorative classical x-form windows on the attic level are to be repaired. Approximately 130+- of the original windows are to be repaired and restored and installed within the recessed courtyard area facing the Lamar Street side. Original glass is to be retained in these windows where possible.

Site Info

South (primary) façade: Two-story, three-bay brick building with marble quoins and a raised basement and flat roof. Square and ocular attic vent windows with marble surrounds. Projecting metal cornice above second story with plain square brackets and pressed metal cornice with egg-and-dart molding and motif of raised circles with enclosed crosses, typical of Baumann and Baumann designed buildings. Projecting central bay with two-story pedimented portico emphasizing primary elevation, ornamented with ocular attic window, four round Bedford limestone columns on large rectangular Bedford limestone plinths with recessed panels that are bordered with egg and dart molding. Columns crowned with Doric capitals. Pierced stone balustrade and marble steps flanked by extended marble buttresses and supporting flour globe cast iron light fixtures. Metal ceiling. Green and white on terra cotta encaustic tile floor with a Greek fret border. Deeply recessed front entry with double doors under an entablature with Greek fret and egg-and-dart-embellished cornice.

1) The building has 412 double-hung wooden windows with most being 6-over-6 and measurring 50"x180."
2) The windows on the main building are all original except for one replacement on the Lamar Street-side.
3) Lack of maintenance and incorrect repair techiniques over the years has caused extensive damage to the windows, frames, sills, and surrounds.
4) Many top or bottom sashes are missing or have been altered to accept window air conditioning units.
5) The window sills are mostly intact, but they exhibit .25" to.5"- wide cracks, and the wood grain is severely routed.
6) The windows on the three-story section of the E. Fourth Avenue side are mostly missing or covered due to damage. The windows on the one-story connector on that side are later-installed windows of newer wood material that have extensively decayed.
7) The brick molding is deteriorated with most damage corresponding to sash damage at the lower or meeting stop corners where moisture and organic debris have accumulated.
8) Most of the muntins have lost their profile through decay, scraping, or over-glazing of replacement glass.
9) The tendons and tongues on the majority of the windows have severely deteriorated.
10) The original metal windows on the basement or ground level and small decorative x-form classical windows on the attic level will be repaired.
11) The Secretary of Interior's Standards state: "The removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural features should be avoided when possible." Although the type fo window is an important architectural feature, the windows on the building are not so distinctive that they cannot be reproduced fairly closely, and the originals remain to provide guidance for the design.
12) The Secretary of Interior's Standards state: "Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials." The proposed windows will match the existing as closely as possible except for the texture and material. Given the number, size, and severely deteriorated condition of the windows, the renovation would not be feasible without allowing replacement with windows of an alternative material.
13) The Secretary of Interior's Standards state: "Replacement or missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical or pictorial evidence." Given that the original windows exist, physical documentary evidence exists with which to guide the specifications for the replacement windows.
14) The windows are not so close to a sidewalk or a street such that the windows can be viewed closely by pedestrians or mortorists.
15) The Historic Zoning Commission has approved metal-clad windows in non-residential buildings only, where metal windows are often utilized as replacements. Examples include 1601 Western Avenue (The Prince Building), the Tennessee Theater, the Custom House and in some areas of the Brownlow School building.