An Architectural Treat

FfOR Board member and architect, Jack Tucker was on hand Sunday, Sept. 23 at the Memphis Heritage/AIA Home Tour, to share stories about his mentor, architect Fay Jones, and to discuss the house's sense of space and detailing. The house, designed by Jones, is located at 5715 Sycamore Grove in East Memphis, and is curently the home of Barry and Anna Gildea.

Jones, an architect, educator and artist, received the AIA’s highest honor, the Gold Medal, in 1990 from the Prince of Wales and President of the United States. The following year Jones was ranked as one of the ten most influential living architects in a national survey conducted by the AIA.

An Arkansas native, Jones spent most of his career in the Ozark Mountains where he refined his own architectural style deeply influenced by regional forms and materials. Among his inspiring designs are Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista, Arkansas.

In 1962 work began on the featured Memphis home, which was designed for clients Jody and Sam Hunter. Completed in 1965, the 4,300 square foot home was the first residence built by Jones outside of Arkansas and the largest commission of his career at that time.


Current owners, Anna and Barry Gildea, and architect Jack Tucker, FAIA, who worked out of Fay Jones studio, were on hand from noon to 4 p.m. to share stories and speak on the architecture and interiors.
For more information on Jones's work, click here.