New Faces Bring New Day at LGA
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Paul McCall, AIA
Paul McCall is a new Principal at Lewis Group Architects. A graduate of the University of Tennessee’s College of Architecture + Design in 1995, Paul has spent the last 26 years working professionally in both Knoxville and Nashville. Paul’s project experience runs the gamut, successfully delivering projects of varying scales from small residential buildings to complex higher education laboratory buildings. Several of these projects have been honored with local and state AIA awards. Additionally, he has been an adjunct instructor at UT’s College of A+D and frequently sits on design reviews at the college.
Paul still has an enthusiasm for design and problem-solving, with a core belief in a regional modernism – that architectural solutions should authentically reflect their time and place; and that good design is buoyed by an understanding of the specific problem and by sound construction knowledge. Stewardship of both client dollars and the built environment, he believes, creates the logical framework for meaningful buildings as well as client satisfaction.
In his new role as Principal Architect at LGA, Paul will set the design direction for projects and oversee the studio to help clients realize the best possible outcomes.
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Jake Thomas, AIA
Jake Thomas, AIA graduated with a Master of Architecture from the University of Tennessee in 2008 and has worked in Knoxville continually since that time.
His experience in both small and large firms taught him the skills to lead projects of all sizes/complexities from programming and conceptual design through construction administration. He prides himself on being a well-rounded, balanced architect that is able to anticipate and resolve potential issues before they become real-world problems.
He is adept at translating a project’s unique needs between clients, engineers, and contractors, believes strongly in the virtues of a collaborative environment, and that architecture is experienced through the body before the brain.
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Shawna R. Henry, AIA
With a Bachelor of Architecture from Mississippi State University, Shawna Henry began her career at a Gulfport architecture firm on the scenic oceanfront of the Mississippi gulf coast.
For the next 20 years, Shawna had the exciting opportunity for rapid professional growth that included many diverse types of buildings, developments, and facilities. Many of which are now part of the social, educational, and cultural fabric of the vibrant communities along Mississippi’s gulf coast. Living in charming southern Mississippi for so many years, however, did not replace her love for the mountainous beauty of East Tennessee.
Proud to have worked on so many memorial projects and glad to have been part of an award-winning team, Shawna brought her experience and knowledge back to Knoxville where she recently joined Lewis Group Architects. Shawna brings with her extensive experience in K-12 school design, higher education facilities, healthcare, housing, commercial and mixed-use development, as well as several high-profile museums.
Shawna is happy to bring her knowledge and skills to the Knoxville area and excited to be a part of Lewis Group Architects, helping to create a meaningful difference in the architecture of East Tennessee.
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Shannon Debenport
Shannon Debenport returns to us after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, where he and his family of four traveled the country in an RV!
Shannon got his Bachelors of Architecture from Louisiana Tech University, and after a few years of working in his native city of New Orleans, relocated to East Tennessee. Shortly after completing his Architecture license, Shannon joined the Lewis Group Architects family in 2014. He was a valuable Project Architect on many projects big and small.
We are excited to have Shannon back in his role as Project Architect and just as excited to have him back as LGA’s personal Cajun chef.
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Founded in 1982 by Jerry W. Lewis, AIA on the principles of honesty, integrity, and exemplary service for our clients, LGA is a professional corporation that has become the Firm of Choice – the firm that clients have chosen again and again for comprehensive and distinctive design, rendering, assessment, and masterplanning services.
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What Can Lewis Group Architects Do for You?