Principal Architect
Dan Brittain
As Principal Architect, Dan has a passion for simplicity and a straight forward approach to design. He focuses on working smarter not harder. His experience is in a wide array of building types and enjoys the challenge each and every project brings. Dan has a belief in education and affordable housing for everyone which allows him to work closely with entities and jurisdictions to provide these services. As a firm proponent of the Golden Rule, Dan believes it is a fundamental aspect of life and tries to practices it everyday. Be Kind to Others and They will Be Kind in Return…
A graduate of The University of Tennessee School of Architecture in 1998, Dan received his Architectural license in 2002 and is currently licensed in several states. He is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Dan enjoys working with aspiring youth and is a member of the local AIA K-12 Outreach Committee.
Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, family, pets, and is proud to have three wonderful children. He is fascinated by vintage photography, collects old archaic camera equipment, and likes spending time in his darkroom. Dan also fantasizes about tinkering around with his massive collection of classic cars that he hopes to have someday.
Associate Architect
Michelle Mokry
As Associate Architect, Michelle thrives on engaging clients and helping to actualize their ideas. She excels with attention to detail and very much enjoys using her creative flair to put the finishing touches on every project she encounters whether it is to manage or design. She has experienced a wide variety of project types, giving her the ability to switch gears quickly and be flexible with timeframes and works scopes. Michelle is also a firm believer in the ability to communicate effectively with all individuals is essential, no matter what industry one works in. She strives to impart these skills daily. She feels these traits are basic tenants to doing well, and thus the philosophy, If you are going to do something, do it well!
A graduate of The University of Tennessee School of Architecture in 2004, Michelle is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and an Associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). She also obtained her LEED AP Status in 2007 in the Existing Building O+M category and always looks for a way to bring sustainability into every project, no matter the scale. Michelle also enjoys working with the Knox Brix and Blocks events with the AIA as a community out-reach program for kids of all ages. (Translation: It’s really a reason for her to be around Legos!)
Michelle recently built a custom home and is enjoying putting the finishing touches on her property with her husband. The experience of building a personal home has given her invaluable insight into her profession to the challenges many building owners often go through as an owner. She also loves making wine, gardening, cooking, participating in events within the creative community and spending time with her animal menagerie. She and her husband like to work on projects around their property as well as travel.
Associate Architect
Ryan Smith
As an Associate Architect, Ryan thrives when puzzling out space and making designs with a broad-brush stroke. He likes thinking big and then slowly working inward to the small details through sketching in plan, section and perspective. Ryan believes that everything needs moderation – even moderation. In many instances, extremes may crumble foundations and lead to an impermanent solution. Ryan applies this idea to architecture through balancing design, practicality, function, while being diligent with the client’s needs.
Ryan graduated from The University of Tennessee School of Architecture program in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Ryan enjoys helping out wherever he can.
Ryan spends his free time geeking out over computers and gadgets, climbing boulders and fake boulders, playing pickleball, playing music, cooking, hanging out with his awesome cat Twix and going on photography adventures. Ryan plans to build an arsenal of foam dart guns in the storage room unbeknownst to Dan.
Architect
Jonah Pruitt
As Architect, Jonah strives to use design to bring people together and improve the collective experience of our built environment. With experience in high end residential, hospitality, design research, and adaptive reuse, Jonah brings a focus and care to every project regardless of size or complexity. Building anything requires a team and Jonah thrives in collaborative and exciting environments where everyone can contribute, and the best design outcomes can be met while having some fun along the way.
Jonah received his B. S. Arch from the University of Cincinnati and an M. Arch from the University of Virginia, focusing on design research, post-industrial landscapes, and architectural pedagogy. Having worked in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Nashville, Jonah brings experience from all over the country to TAC. He is a licensed architect in the State of Tennessee.
In his free time, Jonah is a visual artist, photographer, and woodworker. An avid road cyclist, he’s always seeking out new routes to explore on two wheels. If you ask nicely, he’ll invite you over for dinner and let you check out his collection of vintage architecture books.
Design is a tool for all of us to expand our humanity and show our care for one another. Keeping this in front of mind can be difficult over the course of a project, but Jonah will always push that little bit extra to ensure that what we create serves everyone and is beautiful.
Project Manager
Josh Barnard
As a Project Manager, Josh works directly with the client and the design team to bring their ideas to life. With more than 9 years’ experience in the Architecture/ Engineering world he has gained a unique perspective of a project from the ground up, working in various disciplines including architecture, survey, and civil throughout his career.
A graduate of Walters State Community College, Josh received his Associates Degree in Industrial Technology with a focus in Drafting and Design in 2008. Not the best time to try and find a job. After almost becoming a lifetime banker, he finally took a position in Knoxville in 2012 to start kickstart his career into the right direction.
Josh has a dog named Marley. They enjoy spending time outdoors, whether that be by land or water. He is currently turning his Toyota 4Runner into the ultimate overlanding rig to take his explorations across the country.
Junior Interior Architect
Emily Slappy
As Interior Designer, Emily is tasked with selecting materials, designing, and coordinating the interiors of TAC’s projects. Recently graduating from the University of Tennessee’s Interior Architecture program, Emily represents a wealth of fresh ideas and sleek, modern designs. Affectionately labeled as the classiest team member, Emily has a natural proclivity for arranging cohesive and bright interiors.
Emily’s always had an affinity for design—you might even say she was born with it. Her family was constantly on the move growing up, fracturing her childhood connection to a single home. This constant exposure to new homes taught her from a young age that each interior space is unique and personal. She now applies this principle to every project she works on. Often disillusioned by prefabricated interior designs, Emily believes creating a concept directly influenced by the client’s unique goals and personality ultimately leads to a successful, beautiful space.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys listening to vinyl records with her cat Tigger and exploring new cities to absorb design inspiration.
Associate Architect
Allen Quinlan
Allen is currently finishing his Bachelor of Architecture at
the University of Tennessee. During Allen’s time in architecture school, you can
find him at just about every sporting event, whether storming the field after UT
beat Alabama or at a cross country meet on a brisk Saturday morning. During the
week, you’ll often find him in his studio pumping out iterations or drawings. Aspiring
towards graduation and licensure, Allen is entering the professional world of
architecture for the first time. While digital drawing and modeling is his
strong suit, he dabbles in the ever long tradition of sketching to iterate his
thoughts and ideas. His young, technology driven mind offers a unique perspective
to the TAC team.
Allen likes to spend his free time at the dog park, downtown
at a brewery with his buddies, on the golf course, or watching YouTube like the
iPad kid he really is. He also likes to spend occasional time away from the
great state of Tennessee to visit his family back in West Virginia (not
Virginia, Rick. They’re different). Country roads take me home.
Business Development Manager
Michael Houle
As Business Development Manager, Michael handles our proposals, specification writing, and marketing. After obtaining his master’s in English Literature from the University of Tennessee, teaching English at the university level, and working as a legal assistant, Michael has at last landed at TAC. His diverse experience and level of adaptability offer a unique perspective to the office.
Michael’s research in Graduate School focused primarily on empathy, connection, and the human experience. He tries to personally connect with every person he meets, believing these connections to be the key components of a fulfilling life. As one of TAC’s primary networking contacts, Michael brings this love of communication into the professional sphere, striving to grow our firm one connection at a time.
When he’s not hard at work on a proposal, you can find this self-proclaimed wine snob, art collector, and literature junkie at his favorite bar with a book in-hand (he’s currently in a Hemingway phase). Michael’s other hobbies include biking around Downtown Knoxville, taking his cat Venus on wilderness adventures, obsessing over French New Wave Cinema (he promises it’s not as pretentious as it sounds), and playing video games. Be on the lookout for his friendly face at the next networking event you attend!
BIM Specialist
Rick Rogers
Ex-surfer, avid fisher, and self-proclaimed “old guy,” Rick brings over 30 years of experience in the Architecture industry to the TAC team. His range of experience gives him a unique outlook on design that focuses on connecting minutiae to illuminate the bigger picture of a project.
While he may not talk about himself very much, Rick’s “been drawin’ something since 1986,” and his drafts speak for themselves.
BIM Specialist
Michael Tierney
As a resident Revit “Guru”, Michael usually works with the design team to bring the clients ideas to life, but still cares deeply about people and how each project will impact the clients and end users. He is a Navy veteran and served in the engineering department on a submarine. He has more than 8 years of civilian experience in the Architecture/Engineering industry.
Michael is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a Bachelor of Science (BS), Business Management with collateral in Entrepreneurship. He also had started the Master of Architecture (M.Arch.), Sustainability Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville but chose to stop short when VA funding did not come through as promised. Michael believes every situation, especially the bad ones, can be redeemed by God, and has remained tenacious in his career in architecture and pursuit of his long-term goal of becoming an architect.
Michael is a real family man with four kids. He enjoys attending church with his family and praying for people. He also enjoys drawing, painting, writing, cooking, and martial arts.
Office Cat
Kingsport
meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow
Translation: Rescued from a jobsite in Kingsport, TN, Kingsport the Office Cat spends his days trying to eat Nerf darts and drinking water from the sink. Kingsport is a critical component of the TAC team, serving as emotional support during busy weeks.
