Brittany Hodge, project architect with EOA Architects, is actively involved in the AIA Middle Tennessee chapter producing the second season of a podcast called Re:Form Tennessee with topics that help push the architecture profession forward.  As an AIATN conference committee member this year, Brittany is ensuring that the day programming is fresh and engaging. As a Nashville resident, she encourages people to explore the neighborhoods beyond Downtown to get a true taste of Nashville.

What is the point of pride for you as a Nashville resident and what are you most excited for people visiting during the conference to experience when they are here?

I am most excited for people to go beyond the downtown loop—although there is plenty of fun to be had and interesting things to see inside of it!

Our neighborhoods are incredibly lively and distinct, and you really can’t get a full sense of the city without stepping into these different pockets.

East Nashville has a laid-back, eclectic vibe that feels creative and unfiltered. North Nashville carries deep cultural and historical significance, especially for our incredible Black community. Nolensville Pike is one of the most vibrant stretches of our city and has been shaped by immigrant communities and full of global flavor in every sense. Wedgewood-Houston is becoming a space for bold art, design, and experimentation. And Germantown is a great example of thoughtful urban living—it’s walkable and charming. I hope visitors get a chance to take a tour into one of these neighborhoods and seek out local food spots and architectural gems hidden in the layers outside the typical tourist path. It’s where life really lives.

As a local, what is your perspective on the growth that Nashville has experienced in the last decade?

Watching Nashville’s growth over the last decade has been somewhat emotional, honestly. As someone who’s deeply rooted here, I feel both pride and heartache. Pride in how much creativity, investment, and attention the city has drawn. There’s a momentum and energy that’s undeniable. While I have an incredible amount of pride for our city, I also feel heartache—heartache for what’s changed or has been lost along the way: affordability (certainly), the scale and feel of some of our neighborhoods, and the way that some communities are being left behind. Nashville is clearly not an exception to the pains that present when going through such a surge of growth, but I do believe we are the exception that challenges growth in a way that’s more thoughtful. Now, more than ever, we have some of the most incredible people, businesses, and non-profits that are paving that way, and I have every hope that it’s a way that listens, includes, and builds with care and connection.

What are your favorite local spots?

Germantown is a great area if you’re looking for something walkable with a lively, urban feel. Little Hats Market is my favorite for a bite. Monday Night Brewing is always a good time, and the design of the space makes it especially worth visiting. Mother’s Ruin is a solid happy hour hang, with great drinks and an easygoing atmosphere.

East Nashville has its own charm—more laid-back and eclectic. Redheaded Stranger is my top pick for casual food, Rosemary & Beauty Queen is a great spot to grab a drink and settle in for the night, and Tall Tales Rooftop is perfect for a drink with a view.