Architectural styles in Island Home Park include Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Dutch Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival and Ranch homes (images 1-5). Examples of two prominent building massings are seen in Bungalow (image 6) and American Four Square (image 7) plans. Design guidelines for Island Home Park focus on preserving the unique architectural features of those styles and plans.

The proposed Island Home Park Design Guidelines are based on the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for rehabilitating historic buildings, and have been written with strong participation from a committee made up of residents of the neighborhood.

Roofs (image 8):

• When repairing or replacing roofs, preserve roof details such as chimneys, finials, attic vents, and molding that are unique to the architecture of the building.
• New roof construction should match typical pitch, overhang, material, and detail found in the historical architectural styles of the neighborhood.
• Any solar applications or skylights should not be visible from the street.
• Reroofing can be done with either historic materials or contemporary materials.
• The color of roofing materials should be dark green, gray, black or dark reddish brown to simulate the original roof colors.

Windows (images 9a and 9b):

• Repair and reuse original windows if possible. Consider using color clad storm windows for energy savings.
• Replacement windows should be the same size as the original, with the same pane division, width and profile. Pane divisions must be created by separate panes with true separation or by applied muntins that give the appearance of true divided lights; pane grids between glass are not acceptable. Vinyl or vinyl clad windows are not acceptable but aluminum clad wood windows that mimic the frame, size and muntin pattern of the original can be used.
• Windows can be added on secondary elevations if they are compatible with the design of original windows.
• Tinted or reflective glass is not acceptable on primary elevations.

Porches:

• Historic porches should be retained and repaired.
• New construction can use porches or stoops that are typical of the style of the new house.
• Porches visible from a street may only be enclosed if they remain transparent and if the enclosure is easily removable.

Entrances:

• Entrance features must be preserved, including sidelights and transoms, fan lights and other design details.
• Newly constructed entrances must be typical of those found on historic houses.
• Storm doors should be full view glass, with color clad frames.

Exterior Wall Coverings:

• Never sandblast, water blast, or use any abrasive paint removal technique for exterior wall surfaces, whether masonry or wood.
• Masonry that has never been painted may not be painted.
• Any repointing of masonry should use a mortar that matches the historic mortar in composition and color.
• Preserve masonry features that define the historic character of a building, including walls, railing, foundations, chimneys, and other design elements.
• Do not use a "scrub" technique to repoint brick.
• Synthetic siding is not allowed as a replacement for wood siding on existing buildings. Hardiplank or other manufactured solid siding can be appropriate as replacement siding for earlier original synthetic siding, or on new construction.
• Replacement siding must duplicate the appearance of the original.
• If synthetic siding must be removed to repair the building, it can be replaced only if not more than 49% is removed for the repair.
• New construction must use corner and trim designs and door and window trim typical of the style of the building being constructed.
• Repair or replace wood features based on historical documentation.

New Construction:

• New street patterns should be rectilinear and street widths should be narrow (like Willis or Watson).
• New buildings constructed in historic areas should be compatible with the existing historic buildings and sensitive to the patterns of the environment where they will be placed. Doors and windows, roof shapes and porches or porticos must use the form of historic buildings.
• Use front and side setbacks that match the existing neighborhood fabric.
• Front entries on new buildings should face the street.
• New additions should be the same width and height as neighboring houses.
• Use bays, extended front porch and roof shapes to avoid boxy new construction.
• Foundation height must be equal to the average height of existing adjacent historic buildings.
• Maximum lot coverage for a new house and accessory buildings shall be no more than 30% of the lot area.
• On streets where mailboxes are attached to existing houses, mailboxes on new construction shall also be located on the houses.
• New additions should be on the side or rear of existing buildings, limited in size and scale when compared to the existing building.

Auxiliary or Outbuildings and Accessory Features:

• Outbuildings like garages should be designed to suggest the original function of those outbuildings, and shall be located to the rear of the existing building.
• If garage doors face the street, they must reflect the style of the primary building on the lot.
• Materials used on new accessory buildings or garages should respect the original materials found on the historic houses on the lot.
• Swimming pools should be in-ground pools.
• Satellite dishes and television antennas should not be visible from adjacent streets.

Review Process for Designated Buildings:

• If an exterior change requires a building permit, that change must be reviewed by the Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission. They will use the design guidelines to determine if a Certificate of Appropriateness is to be issued. Changes that do not require a building permit, such as changing paint colors, are not reviewed.
• The Island Home Park Neighborhood will be asked to select a representative to act as a liaison with the Historic Zoning Commission, in order to provide information about the neighborhood and to offer neighborhood opinions on matters before the Historic Zoning Commission.