Metropolis magazine names Knott design visionary

January issue of the New York-based design magazine names Noisette CEO as
one of the world’s 14 leading design visionaries

North Charleston, SC (January 11, 2006) – The January issue of Metropolis magazine names Noisette Company CEO John L. Knott, Jr., as one of that publication’s leading design visionaries in the world for the field of urban planning. In the article written by Metropolis senior editor Kristi Cameron, the Noisette Community Master Plan for North Charleston was cited as “proposing a shift in the way we craft urban spaces: a city partnering with a community that is both just and sustainable – a holistic district where mixed-income housing, socially motivated businesses, lively common spaces, and corrective infrastructure emerge from the footprint of an industrially and economically blighted suburb”.

The magazine cited Noisette as a leader in the fields of sustainability, social justice, urbanism and reuse. Other visionaries named by the magazine include internationally recognized author and architectural critic Ada Louise Huxtable, and The State of California. The Noisette story includes an-depth analysis of the project, and plans for revitalization of a 340-acre tract on the former Charleston Navy Base, now called The Navy Yard at Noisette.

“Truly, the Metropolis article is an honor, but the real credit should go to the Noisette team and community,” injects Knott. “This is a long-term effort to create a model community, which will serve as the basis for urban revitalization throughout North America.”

Michael Sorkin of the City College of New York was quoted in the Metropolis story, on his evaluation of Knott’s vision: “I’m impressed with his dedication and patience in attempting to codify a series of important issues for sustainable and socially integrated cities,” says Sorkin. “He identifies social welfare with a sensitive attitude towards the environment – they go hand-in-hand to him.”

The Metropolis story is the latest in a series of regional and national recognition for the Noisette Project. Last summer, the American Society of Landscape Architects honored Noisette with its 2005 Award of Excellence in urban planning and landscape design. In February 2005, the Governor’s Office of South Carolina awarded Knott with its Environmental Awareness Award, the first time that a private sector businessman had been chosen for that honor.

In Charleston, the Committee to Save the City awarded Knott that organization’s prestigious Three Sisters Award that same month. Earlier, Interiors & Sources magazine and LC Clark Publishing named Knott one of its Environmental Champions for 2004. In 2002, Professional Builder magazine recognized Knott’s as one of the nation’s Thought Leaders on sustainable, environmentally-conscious development, for his efforts at Noisette and the Dewees Island project near Charleston.