ANNUAL HOMES & DESIGN ISSUE
Chattanooga’s rivers, lakes, mountains, and forests are a breathtaking backdrop for new homes. When building locally, these features – along with the clay-based topsoil and underlying soils – can present unique challenges and opportunities that influence how a project takes shape. Here, local builders and landscapers talk about their professional approach to working with Chattanooga’s landscape and features.
Heidi Hefferlin“A house in nature should be like an inconspicuous camera. It should capture the surrounding beauty for the inhabitants while integrating seamlessly into the existing surroundings. Before designing a home, we spend time examining the land and developing a kinship with its moods. How the sun, mountains, and weather play games with the light and views is central to how I design where and how a house should sit on a site. The homes we design should honor and enhance the legacy of the landscapes around them. To achieve this seamless harmony, we source local timber and stone, creating a final design that is less of an interruption of the beauty of our region, but an organic expression, or extension, of the landscape.”
Larry Waldrep“Just look around. Chattanooga is known as the Scenic City for a reason. Chattanooga offers a picturesque backdrop between the surrounding mountains, a vibrant downtown, and the Tennessee River. I really like when we get to incorporate dramatic natural views into the aesthetics of a home. I enjoy getting to walk a property with clients to be able to maximize incorporating the natural beauty around us. Our projects can take advantage of these scenic views and easy access to countless outdoor activities, from hiking and rock climbing to community engagement to water sports.”
Ashley Stinson“As a designer, one of the most important parts of my process is creating a home that works with the land rather than against it. I pay close attention to topography, natural light, placement, and how to thoughtfully capture views and outdoor living opportunities. Because I primarily work on mountaintop properties, the landscape plays a major role in shaping each design. The goal is always to create a home that feels timeless, intentional, and rooted in the beauty of East Tennessee.”
Michael Bridges“Building in the Chattanooga area comes with many challenges compared to other parts of the country. Steep slopes, heavy rains and winds, below-freezing temperatures in winter, and brutal heat in the summers all require special attention during design and construction. Extra thought, and many times extra cost, comes in the form of large or complicated foundations, sophisticated waterproofing details, and sealing and insulation strategies. But, if you can get those right, the payoff can be the sweeping views of the rivers, lakes, valleys, and ridges that we call home. We like to identify what natural elements make a property special first and then design around those as the priority. That way the home has an ever-present connection to the landscape.”
Kent DeReus“For us, building in Chattanooga is less about adapting to the landscape and more about being inspired by it. The mountains, river valleys, mature trees, and rolling terrain aren’t challenges to overcome – they’re what make each homesite meaningful and unique. At A. Perry Homes, we believe a home should feel rooted in its surroundings, so we begin by understanding how the land naturally wants to live: where the light falls, which views deserve to be framed, and how indoor and outdoor spaces can flow together effortlessly. Rather than forcing a design onto the land, we let the character of the site guide the home’s layout, materials, and connection to nature. Chattanooga invites people to slow down and be present, and we believe the homes built here should honor that feeling – celebrating both the beauty of the landscape and the life that unfolds within it.”
Art Johnson“Building in Chattanooga is unique because the region’s mountains, rivers, lakes, and varied soil conditions directly influence how every project is designed and constructed. The area’s rolling topography often requires careful site planning, grading, drainage solutions, and foundation design to work with the land rather than against it. Proximity to waterways and the Tennessee River watershed also makes stormwater management a critical consideration. Rather than forcing a standard design onto a site, we evaluate each property’s natural features to maximize views, preserve usable outdoor space, and ensure long-term performance. Our approach is to embrace Chattanooga’s landscape, allowing the terrain, views, and environmental conditions to help shape a home that feels connected to its surroundings while remaining functional and durable.”
