David McKee Consults on Cooper Chapel Addition Project

Bella Vista, AR –The iconic Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, a masterpiece of architecture designed by the renowned E. Fay Jones, is undergoing a significant expansion, and the project has come full circle for architect David W. McKee. McKee, who apprenticed under Jones during the original construction of the chapel in the late 1980s, is now serving as a consulting architect for the additions.

The expansion includes a new 1,805-square-foot office and visitor center, featuring a wheelchair-accessible restroom and a dedicated bridal area. This addition aims to enhance the chapel’s functionality while preserving the integrity of Jones’ original vision.

David W. McKee’s deep understanding of what he calls the "Fay Way"—a design philosophy rooted in organic architecture and harmony with nature—has been instrumental in guiding the project. As a longtime advisor to the Cooper Chapel board, McKee brings not only his architectural expertise but also a profound respect for the chapel’s legacy.

"It’s an honor to contribute to this project and to ensure that the additions reflect Fay’s vision," said McKee. "Having been part of the original construction, this opportunity feels like a full-circle moment for me."

McKee’s recent work also includes the restoration of The Brothers Residence in Fayetteville designed by Jones. Now coined, The Gray by Fay Jones, the residence is available as a vacation rental and Fay Jones experience. The property received an award for Historic Preservation through Restoration through Preserve Arkansas. David was also recently awarded a Fay Jones Legacy Medal by the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas. David's expertise and intimate knowledge in preserving and extending Jones’ architectural legacy makes him uniquely suited to consult on the Cooper Chapel project.

Construction on the expansion began in January and is expected to be completed by fall. The project underscores a commitment to accessibility and visitor experience while maintaining the spirit of Jones’ original design.

For more information, please contact:
Ashley McKee McKee Properties LLC mckee.properties.ar@gmail.com

McKee Properties Honored with Preserve Arkansas Award for Thoughtful Restoration of Historic E. Fay Jones Residence

Fayetteville, AR – The 1956 Richard and Alma Brothers Residence, an early commission by renowned Arkansas architect E. Fay Jones, has been recently recognized with the Historic Preservation through Restoration Award by Preserve Arkansas. This prestigious honor celebrates projects dedicated to returning structures to their documented earlier appearance while preserving their integrity.

Originally in a state of severe disrepair—with a sagging roof, extensive water damage, and holes that had allowed wildlife to take residence—the Brothers Residence was at risk of being lost. The McKee family, led by architect and contractor David McKee, undertook a meticulous restoration with the goal of honoring Jones’s original vision while making minimal updates to support modern living.

“Preserving a home designed by E. Fay Jones is more than just a renovation—it’s a commitment to architectural history,” said David McKee. “Our goal was to respect Jones’s signature craftsmanship while ensuring the home remains functional and livable for generations to come.”

A Faithful Restoration of an Architectural Treasure

The McKees worked from Jones’s original designs, including plans for a 1968 addition, to restore the home’s distinctive features. Among the key restoration efforts:

• Structural Repairs: The roof, sagging into the rear patio, was structurally reset and replaced for the first time in 66 years, maintaining Jones’s signature jackknife edge and toothlike detailing under the fascia.

• Chimney and Balcony Restoration: The stone chimney was completely rebuilt with rafters and cross beams, while a custom steel balustrade replaced the rotted wood railings on the balcony.

• System Upgrades: Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems were all upgraded or replaced to meet modern efficiency standards.

• Interior Preservation: The team maintained Jones’s signature elements, including floor-to-ceiling windows, corner-butted panes, and natural materials such as wood and stone. Local carpenters repurposed original cabinetry to enhance storage while staying true to the home’s mid-century aesthetic.

• Sensitive Modernization: Updates included replacing damaged cork flooring with linoleum in a blonde wood pattern, remodeling water-damaged bathrooms, and converting a former music room into a dining space featuring a hexagonal table designed by Jones himself.

A Legacy of Preservation

David McKee, who worked alongside Jones for 16 years until his retirement in 1997, is the only living associate of the famed architect. His dedication to preserving Jones’s legacy was recently recognized with the Fay Jones Legacy Medal in Architecture from the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. McKee’s work on the Brothers Residence is a testament to his lifelong passion for architectural preservation and his commitment to honoring his mentor’s designs.

A Well-Deserved Recognition

Preserve Arkansas’s award for Historic Preservation through Restoration recognizes projects that demonstrate exceptional dedication to returning a structure to its historic appearance while preserving its integrity. McKee Properties’ efforts exemplify this mission, ensuring that the Brothers Residence continues to stand as a shining example of mid-century modern architecture in Arkansas.

“The Brothers Residence is a treasure that was well worth saving,” said Tyler McKee. “We are honored to receive this recognition and grateful for the opportunity to bring this historic home back to life.”

About McKee Properties LLC

McKee Properties LLC is a family-owned business led by David and Alice McKee, alongside their son Tyler McKee and daughter-in-law Ashley McKee. They operate the residence as a vacation rental under the name “The Gray by Fay Jones”  with the goal of sharing a Fay Jones experience with the public.

About Preserve Arkansas

Preserve Arkansas is the statewide nonprofit advocate for historic preservation, working to protect the state’s unique architectural and cultural resources through education, advocacy, and partnerships.

David W. McKee (Class of '82) Receives Fay Jones School Alumni Award

On January 17th, 2025 the Fay Jones School of Architecture & Design hosted their annual Alumni Design Awards and Winter Fest. David McKee, class of 1982, was recognized with wife Alice McKee with a Merit Award in Historic Preservation for his contributions to the restoration of the Richard and Alma Brothers Residence.

The Brother Residence was designed by E. Fay Jones in 1956. In 2022, McKee Properties purchased the property and began a full restoration of the property. As part of the restoration the gable roof was replaced for the first time in its 66-year history. Upon removing the original shingles, it was discovered that the decking needed to be replaced too. The roof was sagging into the rear patio and had to be structurally reset before it collapsed on itself. The The stone chimney was completely rebuilt with rafters and cross beams. While everything was being ripped out, the McKees ensured to maintain the roof’s jackknife edge and toothlike detailing under the fascia- a signature Jones element that’s repeated in the cabinets, countertops, and built in seating he designed.

A steel balustrade was designed to replace the original balcony’s wood railings that suffered wood rot. All electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems were either upgraded or replaced. Major site work was also undertaken to improve the surrounding landscape and protect the home from the elements.

McKee aimed to keep fundamental elements of Jones’ interiors—floor-to-ceiling windows and corner- butted panes, and natural materials like wood and stone, for example—while making minimal updates that would enhance the existing spaces for modern living today. The team updated the wood-paneled bathrooms, removing a "creepy" Jacuzzi and bidet to open up floor space and create room for a walk-in shower. For storage, local carpenters Russ Mavis and Johnny Ridgeway repurposed the corner cabinets salvaged when the McKees closed up the kitchen wall to regain the third bedroom.

The McKees also traded the damaged cork flooring throughout most of the home for linoleum in a blonde wood pattern. They skimmed and painted over the water-damaged foil ceiling but kept the wood trim that accentuates the surface. They converted the former music room into a dining space with a hexagonal table designed by Jones, and removed a built-in seat at the kitchen counter, replacing it with bar stools.

The restoration of this mid-century modern masterpiece in Fayetteville is a testament to McKee Properties LLC's dedication to preserving architectural history. The Brothers Residence, now thoughtfully restored, harmonizes with its natural surroundings, and preserves Jones’ design characteristics based on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian principles. The McKee family strongly believes that the residence is a treasure that was well worth saving.