Since rechartering in 2000 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the brotherhood of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity has met in rooms of the UTC University Center.
While sufficient for meetings, the accommodations still put them at a disadvantage to frats with houses.
The fraternity intended to be part of the university’s planned Greek Row on Collins Street. When that project failed to materialize, Roy Williams, a Pike alum, dedicated his own time and money to pursuing a chapter house. He began looking for property in early 2008 on which the fraternity could build a home of its own.
Pi Kappa Alpha opened the doors of its new home at 1117 E. 11th St. in December. Nine of the chapter’s 47 brothers are living in the $500,000 home.
The 4,400-square-foot, two-story lodge was drawn up to meet the many uses of the chapter. Here are 10 features that illustrate its frat-house-friendly design.
1. Easy-maintenance exterior. Stacked stone is topped by olive Hardie board siding, which builder Bill Worley said is durable and low-maintenance, and the siding has a 40-year guarantee.
2. Outdoor entertainment space. An inviting wooden porch wraps three sides of the fraternity house. It is 20 feet deep by 50 feet long, with lighting recessed into the stained-pine ceiling. Architect Justin Dumsday of Artech said the porch “extends their living room.”
“The old Pike house in Fort Wood had a porch that was the gathering point for the brothers, so having this porch was important to us,” said Mr. Williams.
On the east side of the house, a separate patio has been poured for an entertainment area.
“The patio was really helpful for rush,” said Robert Macyauski, chapter president. “It helps get people out of the house when you have a large crowd.”
3. Spacious floor plan. Entering through the front door, guests walk into an open great room/kitchen area that is 36 feet wide and 40 feet deep with a 10-foot ceiling.
“The shape of the building is based on a rectangle, so spans go east to west. There are no load-bearing walls inside, which frees up space,” said Mr. Dumsday.
“We like that it’s so big and open,” said Mr. Macyauski. “A lot of the guys just come over during the day after classes, so it’s increased our brotherhood.”
The kitchen countertop, which does double duty as an eating area with bar-style seating, divides the kitchen from living area. Beside the counter, a set of French doors opens to the patio.
In addition to recessed and fluorescent lighting in the kitchen, the living area receives natural lighting through six 6-foot windows, which all have wooden blinds.
Beyond the kitchen is a hallway from which opens the laundry room, pantry, utility room and a second staircase to the second-floor bedrooms.
4. Durable decor. Two clusters of comfy, overstuffed sofas and chairs upholstered in a durable, tan microsuede are positioned around the great room’s two televisions.
The walls are painted mocha and a contrasting burnt orange, neither of which readily shows scuffs or dirt. Area rugs in earth tones add splashes of color to the great room.
5. Hardwood flooring. The installation of 3-inch, hardwood oak flooring throughout the house adds elegance to the decor. A massive oak switchback staircase leading from the great room to the second floor matches the flooring.
6. Security features. Mr. Worley said the fraternity house has a fire alarm system, full sprinkler system and is wired for a burglar alarm system.
The chapter president said that only the brothers living in the house and the chapter’s executive officers have door keys.
Beveled-glass sidelights flanking each door allow members to see who’s there before opening.
7. Energy-efficient. Mr. Worley said all windows in the house are low-E Andersen windows. A tankless water heater doesn’t turn on until there is a demand for hot water, but the guys can run all three bathrooms’ showers simultaneously and not run out of hot water.
8. Meets ADA standards. Mr. Williams said that since the fraternity house is open to the public, it must meet standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
The floor plan of the house includes a handicapped-accessible bedroom and bath on the main level, handicapped parking and ramp to the west doorway.
The house has three baths as well as two powder rooms, which were included for dates visiting the house. One of these powder rooms is also handicapped-accessible.
9. Chapter room/study room. The chapter room, where weekly meetings are held, can comfortably seat 50 brothers. It also doubles as a study area, where no TVs are allowed.
10. Alumni assistance. Not only was this chapter house the vision of one alumnus, the Alumni Association helped secure its furniture and appliances.
“The Alumni Association purchased a bed, chest of drawers and wardrobe for each of the bedrooms,” said Mr. Williams.
Alumni oversee the fraternity’s house corporation, through which the chapter will make its mortgage payments. The payments are collected through a portion of members’ dues paid monthly into the chapter’s house corporation.
