Evening star., 1933-09-09
TENNESSEE BASIN
= PLANNING UNIQUE
Homes of Early Settlers to
\ Inspire Residential Ar
! chiteCture.

Involved in the projected economic and
social development of the Tennessee
River basin, according to the American
Institute of Architects. The architects
will turn for inspiration to the early
settlers, and avoid copying the housing
styles Of other regions. There is more
cid American individualism in this Sec
tion than in any other in the United
States" DR.. Arthur E. Morgan, chair
tnan of the Tennessee Valley Authority,
Is quoted as saying.
The first opportunity for architec-
burial expression will come in connection
with the construction of the Cove
Greek dam on the Clinch River, north
west of Knoxville, statement by the
institute explains. 1t is the purpose
Of the Tennessee Valley Authority,
which is supervising this great regional
Experiment to house workers at the
dam in quarters which will become per-
manent.
Thus, though a mushroom town will
spring up at the scene OF this major
operation, the workmen'S accommoda-
tions will be so planned and constructed
HS W III Ill Will lllS O4 lllC C1lo04-
5ng community.
Local Men to Get Jobs.
Further, it is the idea Of Dr. Morgan
to combine education with labor at
Cove Greek. The one thousand jobs
estimated as being available when con-
struction work begins there some six
months hence will go to the local un-
employed as far as possible. DR.. Nor
20 t11y
men between 19 and 80 from the neigh
boring hills where the soil is reluc-
family productive, to study in their
spare time
For this purpose schools where in
Struction can be given in scholastics
and the trades are planned. Volunteer
students will have their choice of study
ing carpentry, electricity, plumbing,
masonry. etc. DR.. Morgan believes that
such training will result in more eff
cient work on the dam. Thus. at the
end of the four-year job. large num-
Der of trained men will be made avail
able to the locality.
Will Reduce "Floater" Menace.
BY way of promoting domestic in
dustry, the Authority contemplates
starting small projects at the dam site
to turn out clothes, furniture and other
products which can be absorbed by the
community that will spring up in con-
junction with this s34 100000 enter
prise. 1t is Dr. Morgan's opinion that
development of home industry will re-
6uce the "f1oater" menace and help to
establish the community on firm
basis
Because the proposed town on Cove
Greek promises to be the industrial
and educational center for the entire
region, its architectural planning offers
many possibilities in distinctive as well
as practical treatment.
This phase of the undertaking comes
under the direction of Earle Sumner
Draper of Charlotte, N. c., and Wash
ington, who is in charge of land plan
ming and housing. Mr.. Draper has been
pioneer in regional and resort plan
ming in the South
1T is my feeling" said Mr. Draper,
''tEat the architecture which will form
the motif for this town must be very
carefully studied. It should disregard
any other housing development, re-
gional or otherwise, and go back to the
early settlers for its inspiration, so as
to provide architecture that is not only
Roapted to the particular use required
but is also typical of the Tennessee
Valley.
individuality Is Aim.
''To really typify Tennessee, the ar
chitecture should be taken from the
Boil and from the pioneers of that State.
The farthest idea from our minds is
to duplicate the housing styles of other
sections-New England, Colonial, Eng
7ish cottage or what have you? We feel
that if We can do this we will be sue
cessful and that if the community
really interprets the history and life of
the valley people it will at the same
time be distinctive and practical ar
chitecture
ITO do justice to this task there will
be required an architectural organiza-
t1on OF the highest order, for which we
want men who are experienced enough
to understand conditions they are fac
ing, yet young in spirit and adaptable,
and with the enthusiasm needed to
tackle problem of this character"
The physical planning under Mr..
Draper will not only include plotting
town sites, highway and utility loca-
tionS and relOcationS to meet the re-
quirements of the Cove Creek and other
construction projects, but will also en-
body regional planning on scale never
before attempted in this country. Land
classification and study OF basic fac
tors involving the social and economic
phases as well as physical conditions
will to large extent precede any large
area planning.
The development is not confined to
Tennessee but describes the bowed Ter
nessee River drainage basin also taking
in parts of six other Virginia,
North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi and Kentucky. 1t is not
primarily an industrial upbuilding, nor
Is its prime purpose to improve eco
nomic conditions there, although these
factors do have important parts in the
eventual successful elimination of the
rrarad scheme