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First Lady Andrea Conte Provides Update on Tennessee Residence Restoration and Plans for Conservation Hall Project

"Green Design" and ADA Accessibility Key Features of Residence Design

11/1/2007

First Lady Andrea Conte and State Architect Mike Fitts unveiled plans today for the next phase of the ongoing restoration of the Tennessee Residence. The first phase of the project addressed major infrastructure repair needs of the original structure, while Conservation Hall is part of a long-range plan to make the home more accommodating for larger events hosted by Tennessee's First Families.

Memphis-based architectural firm archimania p.c. was selected in September 2006 to design Conservation Hall, which marks another step toward completion of a four-phase project initiated by Governor Phil Bredesen and Conte in 2003 to restore and preserve the historic property. Other members of the Conservation Hall design and construction team include Ross/Fowler Architecture & Landscape Architecture of Knoxville and Powell Building Group of Nashville.

"The Tennessee Residence Foundation asked this team to provide a space for entertaining guests of First Families at home, one that honored the historical significance of the residence, preserved the neighborhood setting and conserved natural resources. And they have delivered on all those points," said Conte. "While the emphasis of phase one was on key repairs and improvements, this phase of the project brings new accessibility and functionality to this cherished property that has been home to Tennessee's First Families since 1949."

archimania, an award-winning firm founded in 1995, is known for its use of raw, non-traditional and simple materials, as well as color and lighting, to create unexpected design effects. "This design honors the history of the Residence but will be one of the most energy efficient facilities of its kind in the U.S.," said Barry Yoakum, who leads the archimania team.

Conservation Hall will use reclaimed materials, such as crab orchard stone and river timbers and be LEED certifiable. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

The design and construction of the Conservation Hall will be privately funded though the Tennessee Residence Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to provide for the preservation, protection, maintenance and enhancement of the artistic, historic and architectural value of the public and formal areas of the Tennessee Residence.

In January 2003, Andrea Conte made restoring and preserving Tennessee's Residence a priority issue for the Office of the First Lady. Ten months later, she and Governor Bredesen unveiled a plan that had been developed for restoring the residence that would provide contemporary updates while preserving the historic integrity of the house and property.

Tennessee's Residence, originally referred to as "Far Hills" because of its beautiful view, was built in 1929 by the William Ridley Wills family, and was purchased by the state of Tennessee following the death of Mr. Wills in 1949. The third and only remaining Governor's Residence in the state, it has hosted numerous events and celebrities during its more than years as the state's Executive Residence. The house has been visited by famous people such as the Reverend Billy Graham, Elvis Presley, President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy, President and Mrs. Lyndon Johnson, President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, and numerous governors and royalty from around the world.

To make a donation to the restoration, or for more information about the project, please call the Office of the First Lady at (615) 741.7846. To make an online donation, go to www.tnanytime.org/exres/.