Bruce McCarty, the primary architect for many of the university’s iconic buildings and longtime friend to the College of Architecture and Design, passed away on Saturday, January 5. He was 92.
Bruce was a driving force in East Tennessee’s modern architecture for more than fifty years. His work created much of Knoxville’s skyline and helped to shape a large part of UT’s campus.
He founded the firm that is now McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects & Interior Designers Inc. in 1965 in Knoxville. He retired in 2010.
Among the UT buildings that Bruce and his colleagues designed are the Humanities Complex, Clarence Brown Theatre, John C. Hodges Library, the Veterinary Medical Center, Andy Holt Tower, Communications Complex, and the pedestrian bridge across Cumberland Avenue.
Bruce and his son, Doug, designed the Art and Architecture Building after winning a statewide competition in 1977. The firm has led several other projects including the College of Law building and renovations, expansions of Neyland Stadium, and the Howard Baker Center.
Bruce and his wife, Elizabeth, were married for sixty-eight years.
Bruce attended Princeton University and then enlisted in the military. He earned his architecture degree from the University of Michigan. Bruce played a role in helping to establish UT’s School of Architecture in 1965. The McCarty family has supported the College of Architecture and Design for many years.
Bruce has served on the college’s board of advisors and also taught a fifth-year thesis class. The building’s primary auditorium is named for the family.
Doug is a graduate of UT’s architecture program and serves as president of McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects. Bruce’s granddaughter, Lauren, received her architecture degree from UT last year.
Bruce received the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2001 for his contributions to the university.
To read his obituary, visit the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Read more about his life at Wikipedia.