Built in the 1950’s, the original Museum’s size doubled when gallery and studio additions designed by Walter Gropius with The Architect’s Collaborative were added in 1968. In 2008, a private endowment provided funding specifically for an addition to display the Museum’s collection of works on paper and to provide an expansion of the vault.

Completed in 2011, the new gallery addition wraps around the base of a Gropius-designed clerestory light monitor form.  To take advantage of the view of the courtyard and Gropius Studios beyond, a skewed window breaks from the rigid form and focuses the view. Because of strict light exposure restrictions for works on paper, an anteroom is formed around the window to help block direct daylight into the gallery space.

“You were so easy to work with and totally responsive. I never felt I had to make a decision without having the benefit of your expertise when I needed it. None of that even touches on the splendid design…”
–Margaret Mary Layne, Director, Huntington Museum of Art

Over the past 10 years, our firm has designed four new EMS stations for Cabell County, West Virginia.  Ranging from 6,350 sf to 8,435 sf, the stations are designed to accommodate emergency vehicles and equipment, as well as day area living spaces and sleeping quarters for technicians.  The bedroom configurations are flexible to adjust to varying gender ratios. Each of the stations were designed to be sensitive to the surrounding areas, taking into account complimentary aesthetics and designed for EMS and community ease.

The City of Huntington, West Virginia has constructed the first phase of a commuter and recreational bike and pedestrian trail system in the city. Using public right of ways and the flood control levees, the project added over 8.5 miles of off-road, multi-use trails in the city. Highlights of the project include seven trailheads with informational kiosks and a new bike and pedestrian bridge.

Our firm assembled a custom design team including Alta Planning + Design, an internationally-known pedestrian and bicycle trail design firm, Eastham & Associates, for civil engineering, permitting and surveying, Randolph Engineering for structural design, and Bulldog Creative for signage graphics.  The project required coordination and approvals from multiple stakeholders including the US Army Corps of Engineers, the City’s Floodwall Division, CSX, and the WV Department of Highways.

The P.A.T.H. will ultimately create a network of on and off-road trails to connect all areas of the city and provide access to this healthy, safe and enjoyable mode of transportation and recreation.  Phase 1 construction was completed in 201 and included 3 segments: Guyandotte, Levee and Harveytown.

Completed in 2014, this new 5,000 sf Branch Library replaces a small facility within an adjacent elementary school.  While level, the site is low-lying with portions below the nearby Ohio River’s 100 year flood plain.  The building is sited on a slight terrace above the flood plain and is oriented toward south-west views of the adjacent golf course and mature trees.  A folded roof overhang shades the glass wall and terrace below.  High performance glass further reduces glare, heat gain and protects printed material from damaging sun rays.

Sustainable design features include capturing all stormwater runoff and directing it to landscaped retention areas, or “rain gardens”, where stormwater is naturally absorbed and cleaned.  Low or no VOC producing interior finishes and furnishings were specified and recycled-content materials, low-flow plumbing fixtures, high-efficiency mechanical equipment, daylighting and efficient lighting fixtures are also incorporated. A community meeting/multi-purpose room is located with its own entrance so that other Library areas can be secured, facilitating evening uses when the Library may be closed.

“I appreciate Edward Tucker Architects because he and his staff listen to their clients and take into consideration the needs and wants of the client. He follows up every conference with a written document of what was discussed and decided so that we have no misunderstandings of what is taking place. The space designed has been most satisfactory, not only attractive but very user friendly.”
–Judy Rule, Director, Cabell County Public Libraries

Our firm was commissioned to design a branch library in Salt Rock, WV.  Even with a limited budget, we encouraged our Client to allow the design to extend beyond meeting the library’s basic functional goals and to use the building as an educational tool to demonstrate environmentally sensitive design principles. The primary design move is an inwardly folded roof plane that collects 100% of the rainwater and channels it to two large above-ground cisterns. The stored water is used in warm months for landscape irrigation.  Clad in stone and placed at the main entry, one cistern becomes the backdrop for the building sign, drawing attention to its function as water is seen flowing from the roof into the cistern during rainy weather.

Since its opening in 2009, circulation at the Salt Rock Library has increased by 68% when compared to its previous location, evidence that the community has warmly embraced its newest resource, meeting place and example of environmentally sound design principles.

The initial project in 2003 consisted of the renovation of the social hall and kitchen of this church, while transforming an adjacent 30’ x 200’ lot into a memorial garden and playground. The need for an accessible entrance to the sanctuary was subtly accomplished by weaving a ramp into the garden’s design and enlivens the space visually and functionally by connecting to the social hall as well. Through improved lighting and completely new interiors, the social hall is now a warm, welcoming and brighter space. The playground serves the church’s daycare in a secure environment within its urban context.

Years later in 2013, the congregation brought us back to design renovations to the interior of the sanctuary, as well as restore and re-lamp the existing light fixtures.  All existing fixtures were replaced with energy-efficient LED lamps, which significantly reduced energy and maintenance costs, while improving the quality of light in the space.  We also coordinated energy rebates through American Electric Power, helping to offset some of the cost of the fixture upgrades.

Established in 1892, Douglass High School educated the black youth of the Huntington community until schools were integrated in 1961. In 1985, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Falling into disrepair over subsequent years, The Douglass Center project began in 1998 to save this community landmark through new uses. A complete restoration and adaptive reuse overhauled all aspects of the building in 1998. The exterior received new energy efficient windows, new roof and masonry restoration. The interior was renovated and now houses offices, medical outpatient facilities for Ebenezer Medical Outreach and classrooms.

We have completed many projects over the years for The Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District.  As they began developing a 2-acre park in the Harveytown neighborhood in Huntington, we were asked to design a pavilion, restroom building and picnic shelter. Special emphasis was given to representing the historical legacy of this former farming community through architecture, while creating a gathering space for the neighborhood. The 4,000 sf outdoor pavilion and 1,000 sf covered picnic shelter are fully handicapped accessible, as is the 900 sf restroom building.  Mark Blumenstein, a West Virginia sculptor, designed and fabricated a “wild bird” weather vane for the restroom building cupola, adding whimsy and memory of the community’s rural heritage.  The project was completed in 2006.

The congregation constructed a new sanctuary and social hall in two phases.  The sanctuary seats approximately 140 worshippers. The Church’s architecture is inspired from early churches of the Byzantine era, with its traditional cruciform plan and full dome. The intricate detailing of the worship space is accentuated by colorful iconographic paintings typical of the Orthodox Church. The social hall addition includes a large gathering space with a kitchen, classrooms and restrooms.