First National Bank of Tennessee in Algood will get a new look with the help of students in Tennessee Tech’s School of Human Ecology.
Design Studies Instructor Madison Lynn said the bank had been thinking about a remodel and reached out to the university to have students get experience by helping with the design of the remodel. Lynn said this project was a unique opportunity for students.
“We have a lot of projects that we get to do in the classroom,” Lynn said. “However, to partner with a real example outside of the classroom is very special, and the students were aware of that, and they were excited just as we were excited.”
Lynn said students formed AutoCAD floor plans, 3D models of new flooring, paint, wallpaper suggestions, and helped rethink office spaces and kitchen expansions. Lynn said the group of students started working on the designs in January and have enjoyed the whole experience.
“In our first meeting, they couldn’t believe that they were the ones actually getting to do this,” Lynn said. “It’s a lot of fun not just to leave the classroom and meet with real people, but to be able to be creative and to see the end result. I think the thing they enjoyed the most was after presenting, getting to see how happy the customers were with how the whole process was and how much they enjoyed it.”
Lynn said the Human Ecology program at Tennessee Tech has grown over the years. Lynn said Tennessee Tech is a great choice for aspiring housing design students.
“Our design studies degree is very special,” Lynn said. “When I went through the program, it was a human ecology that you got to concentrate on housing and design, now the faculty who have been there for several years have created its own degree so design studies is great to consider taking at Tennessee Tech if you are interested in architecture, interior design, fashion, and merchandising. They have really grown the program, and there are a lot of resources, and clearly this is a result of resources continuing to grow.”
Lynn said she is not sure when the bank will begin the remodel, but she and the students look forward to the bank once the remodel is complete.
Lynn said she hopes the university and its students can continue to work with local businesses to help with designs for remodels in the future.
