Vision for the new Knoxville Science Museum takes shape east of downtown

Tyler Whetstone | Knoxville

Show Caption Hide Caption Jim Clayton unveils three visions for his Knoxville Science Museum Jim Clayton unveiled three visions for his Knoxville Science Museum.

Nearly a year and a half after East Tennessee businessman and philanthropist Jim Clayton announced plans for the Knoxville Science Museum, his vision came to life Thursday night.

From sleek glass to traditional brick, the multimillionaire unveiled three potential designs for his $100 million project that will complement developments just east of downtown — the Knoxville Civic Auditorium, Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, Urban Wilderness and eventually the Urban Wilderness Gateway Park at the end of the James White Parkway.

“I just want everyone to know this gives certainty to the project, that it is moving along. It’s going to take some time to complete the design and to build it,” Clayton said.

A team from BarberMcMurry Architects discussed three separate designs and showed the first renderings of the planned museum.

All three designs detail a museum that has 150,000 square feet and includes dining areas (inside and out), meeting space, a maker space, an event space and utilize the three city garages surrounding the property.

Clayton asked designers to use green technology and he required a view of downtown Knoxville and/or the Smoky Mountains from the building. Each of the proposals include vegetated roofs.

The renderings are not final, and no exhibits have been designed yet. Here's a look at what they could include:

Design 1

The most modern-looking, sleek option shows the museum covered in glass with a tall observation tower connected to the project.

It would include a circular-ramped exhibit space with an enclosed courtyard.

It would include expansion capabilities.

The design has it sitting on the west side of the property, closest to downtown.

Design 2

The most traditional design shows a tall structured museum with large, copper or Tennessee marble panels that looks more like a typical museum.

It would possibly include a walking bridge over Howard Baker Jr. Avenue.

It would possibly include a greenhouse facility on site.

Design 3

Much like the first model, this design is a modern-looking facility with plenty of glass and white brick.

It would include five large exterior panels that stand for the five elements of nature.

It would include a pedestrian bridge to a parking garage.

Would include a tree house with multiple levels with views at the top of the mountain replicas.

How we got here

The city and Clayton entered into a formal development agreement for the museum in August after the Clayton Family Foundation had a brief flirtation with other sites in Knoxville.

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More: Clayton's $100M Knoxville Science Museum now under development agreement with city

The agreement allows the foundation to move forward with the museum, which will be constructed on the site of the city's police headquarters on Howard Baker Jr. Avenue, just out of the center city footprint.

The two sides announced the agreement after the City Council approved two contracts for the new police headquarters. The new safety complex will be housed in the former Tennova St. Mary's hospital site and will include space for the police department, new headquarters for the fire department, and new space for city court and city pension board.

As it is, the two projects will work on similar timelines and the museum will be built in a way to not disturb the KPD headquarters until it is eventually razed.

The timing is nearly perfect, said David Brace, deputy to Mayor Madeline Rogero.

"We’re a two-year move-in project so, we’re talking two years from January or February," he said.

Quick timeline

After the presentation, Clayton told reporters he thought the museum would open in two years, by December 2021, which is an aggressive timeline. He said crews should begin moving dirt next spring or summer.

Brace said he didn’t mind the fast track approach.

“I love aggressive timelines. What I’ve found is when there aren’t aggressive timelines (the projects) get pushed back even more."

Clayton is the founder of Clayton Homes, which grew into the largest builder of manufactured housing and modular homes in the nation.

Plans grow for new $150 million science museum Jim Clayton, founder of Clayton Homes, is funding a $150 million science center in Knoxville.