We’re proud to be an award-winning design firm.

Tinker Ma has been recognized by leading organizations such as the American Institute of Architects, the American Planning Association, and the Congress for New Urbanism. Passionate about providing service that embodies the defining principles of good design, we are committed to our clients and the quality of our work.

What the Juries Are Saying

“The jurors recognized this project’s simultaneous restraint and reaching for material expression to properly accommodate visitors from different paths and varying topography. The original design intent and diagram parti was very clear, yet the jury appreciates the details that balance nobility and durability which ensure a long life for the public structures. The jury did not miss the nod to historic Tennessee vernacular structures that are prominent in rural parts of the state. The project beautifully demonstrates the AIA Merit for a well-designed and crafted public building.”

— About Cummins Falls State Park Visitor Center
AIA Merit Award Winner
“The jury applauded the clever interpretation of contextualism and reference to historicism without the design team giving in to mimicry. The result is a handsome building that reflects the vibrancy of its place and enhances not only the pedestrian experience but to a greater extent - the revitalized Southside. The simple brick frames and floor-to-ceiling glass evoke a “time gone by” with a modern flair that is undeniable. The transition from public to more private (speakeasy) spaces in the rear, each with its own expression creates a rich and lasting impression."

— About The Kinley Chattanooga
AIA Merit Award Winner
"The reclamation of the brownfield site into a community asset was not lost on the jury as an exemplary story of lasting impactful sustainability. The plan with interwoven interior and exterior spaces not only extends the viability and use of the site/building but also creates spaces ranging from intimate to large. The select and limited interior neutral material palette, washed in ample natural light, made the jury long for images of the facility full of patrons. The clerestory windows flooding the space with light during the day transform the building into a beacon of what is possible in the evening."

— About Parkside Hall
AIA Merit Award Winner
"The jury lamented that they were unable to review the submissions seated at the bar, beer in hand at the Frazier. The “super cool,” innovative, and evocative renovation manages to straddle a fine line of working within an era with added contemporary flourishes. The result is not superficial - yet it is humble. All aspects from the plan to the inventive table/bar combination produce a fantastic gathering spot – the perfect stage for a post-pandemic Chattanooga."

— About Frazier Five and Dime
AIA Award of Excellence Winner
"In 2013, [Crash Pad and Flying Squirrel] partnered with the City of Chattanooga to help solve stormwater concerns on Johnson Street, a beaten down and forgotten street in front of their businesses. With progressive collaboration between the public and private sectors, the Crash Pad and Flying Squirrel are examples of how urban developments are improving Chattanooga's stormwater and flood management. The innovative design included the use of engineered soils and pavers to increase infiltration of rainwater. The road was built on a three-foot-deep gravel bed intended to hold the first inch of rainwater then brick pavers were placed on top to allow the water to percolate down into the ground, filtering the whole time."

— About Flying Squirrel as part of the Johnson Street Redevelopment
Winner of The Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for Building Green