The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) selected Edward Tucker Architects to lead a transformative renovation and expansion of the existing Fredric W. Smith Science Building.  The firm assembled a premier design team for the project, including Hasenstab Architects as architectural and research laboratory design consultants, GAI Consultants as site/civil engineers and landscape architects, Schaefer as structural engineers, and Scheeser Buckley Mayfield as mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers.

The project will expand research opportunities for students, attract top-tier faculty and researchers, and position WVSOM as a leading center for advanced research and education. The scope includes an expanded facility with a new three-story addition with research laboratories, an anatomy lab, a vivarium, and supporting spaces, along with an open laboratory concept that promotes transparency, collaboration, and visibility into ongoing research activities. Interior and exterior materials are inspired by WVSOM’s brand identity and the natural landscape of West Virginia, reinforcing a strong sense of place.

Funded by a $29 million appropriation from the West Virginia Legislature and a $6 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the project will expand WVSOM’s research and technical workforce, create new job opportunities, and foster collaboration with private industry. Construction is slated to begin in 2026.

As part of Huntington City Hall’s comprehensive multi-phase renovation, the 1,300-square-foot City Council Chambers underwent a transformative redesign. The project not only revitalized the aesthetic appeal of this historic space but also enhanced accessibility, transparency, and community pride.

The updated layout optimizes public seating, providing a more inclusive and comfortable gathering space. Updated lighting, finishes, and the newly constructed council dais seamlessly integrates state-of-the-art technology while respecting the building’s historic character.

During the renovation, the discovery and rehabilitation of the original terrazzo flooring added an extraordinary layer of historical significance. Its unique pattern and intricate design have been preserved, honoring the charm of the past while supporting modern functionality.

Durable, flexible furniture and improved accessibility clearances throughout ensure that the space remains welcoming and functional for all visitors. This renovation stands as a testament to the City’s dedication to preserving its heritage while fostering a modern, community-centered future.

As part of the county’s Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan update, a new school was determined to be a priority, including balancing enrollment across the county by accommodating approximately 100 additional students. Cabell County Schools selected the site for the new Davis Creek Elementary on the former Barboursville Brickyard property, a complex location due to its previous use as a brick manufacturing facility. The geotechnical investigation of the property identified extensive brick material below grade, which required remediation under the new building. Extensive environmental assessment and reporting under the Voluntary Remediation Program was required to confirm the construction of a school on the property was authorized to proceed by the WV DEP. The design team worked diligently with the client’s geotechnical and environmental engineers to develop a plan that included the removal of the brick and import of engineered fill.

The new school was designed to accommodate 300 students, ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade. The plan features a multi-purpose room to function as a dining room, physical education classroom, assembly space, and event space, featuring a full-size basketball court and a performance stage. There is a folding glass wall between the media center and a dual-use music and art classroom that allows for flexibility to accommodate larger gatherings such as book fairs, academic events, and gatherings. The school is home to the county’s only sever to profound disability classroom, and the design team worked closely with the county’s staff to design a space to fit the needs of the students and teachers within that space. The new building sits on a beautiful, private site that provides a connection to nature and will serve the community for years to come.

The comprehensive and multi-phase endeavor focused on providing an inviting, efficient and inclusive environment for all who enter its doors. The installation of accessibility features including lifts, elevators, handrails, and widened clearances, making City Hall inclusive and welcoming to all visitors, regardless of mobility challenges. One of the most noticeable changes was the replacement of the outdated windows with energy-efficient, double-glazed windows throughout. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the historic City Hall, but also improves thermal insulation, reducing energy consumption and enhancing occupant comfort. Meticulous attention was paid to interior finishes, successfully preserving the building’s historic charm while incorporating contemporary design elements. Ornate ceilings and intricate moldings have been restored, complemented by fresh paint and tastefully chosen wall coverings. The final touch was the installation of new furniture, thoughtfully chosen to complement the architecture while providing ergonomic support for the staff, enhancing productivity and functionality in various departments throughout the building, and ensuring comfortable seating for visitors.  The upgraded and revitalized building serves as a source of pride for the community, accommodating citizens of all abilities and providing a modern, efficient, and pleasant environment for all who walk through its doors.

The Cabell County Community Services Organization and the City of Huntington West Virginia chose a location in the heart of West Huntington’s Old Central City district for a new senior center.  The building sits on an abandoned railroad right of way which intersects 14^th Street West, a vibrant antique district.  ETA partnered with Lifespan Design Studio as senior center design specialists for the project.  The design team developed a 3,500 square foot layout which optimizes ease of access and use by seniors, including rethinking the typical layout of a senior center by creating an interior central lobby which acts as a hub for activities within the building, including a medical triage and treatment space, fitness room, and a large, gathering space which can be divided into two spaces for exercise classes, dining, games, and activities.  An outdoor patio relates to the public gazebo structure to the east, enhancing interaction with community events.  The butterfly roof extends over the patio with slender, angled steel supports to shade from the western sun.  The interior and exterior are elevated with elegant, natural materials and furnishings designed by ETA’s interior design team.  The building serves as an extension of the vibrant streetscape, and will serve as a resource for the community for years to come.

The Huntington Children’s Museum is lead by a grass roots organization looking to improve the entertainment options for families in the Tri-State. While providing additional entertainment, the organization hoped that the new museum will entice families to remain in Huntington or attract new residents. The project began with the purchase of a 5,700 square foot former restaurant space in West Huntington. The building was then rehabilitated to meet current building codes, including providing new mechanical and electrical systems. The space was remodeled to host a variety of exhibits for the kids, featuring a range of topics and sensory items.

ETA worked closely with the Contractor and Owner through the construction process. The team worked to create an adaptable construction phase to accommodate the fluctuating budget as new funding opportunities were explored.

In 2021, the Bluefield State University acquired the Bluefield Regional Medical Center and has been converting the former hospital into academic and student housing facilities for the campus. The second floor is being renovated in phases as the Medical Education Center, to provide space for the College of Allied Health Professions. Phase 1 will open in the Spring of 2025 and involved the renovation of 12,000 square feet of the East Wing of the second floor for the Associate and Bachelor of Science of Nursing programs. Phase 2 will include renovating the West Wing for the Radiologic Technology and Sonography programs and the South Wing for the Administrative Suite and Respiratory Therapy program. The conversion of the floor has focused around creating student-centered spaces for collaboration, including study space (many of the institution’s students are commuters and need space on campus to spend time during the day) as well as computer labs for assessment, simulation labs, and flexible, multifunctional learning spaces. ETA’s interior team designed furniture and finishes for this project, ensuring the design vision was fully realized down to the last detail.

The site for the building is in Hamor Village, a local shopping plaza. The clean, white, exterior cladding of brick and metal panels serves as a bright background for rainbow-patterned, vertical steel louvers that wrap around the building. The louvers are positioned to reduce heat gain through the large windows that allow for views and daylight from the interior. A small green space was included for the dentistry staff’s pets, adding to the fun, unexpected design.

The client requested exciting patterns and vibrant colors to create a fun, comfortable and welcoming space for patients and staff. The 8,157 square foot, two story building has eight hygiene bays and eight operatory bays, each featuring a large window. The hygiene area is open, with colorful, suspended resinous panels defining semi-private treatment areas. Operatory bays are enclosed with solid walls, with storage and handwashing nooks facing the hallway. The floor plan is configured with a central, linear sterilization area accessed from both the hygiene and operatory bays. One, enclosed hygiene and operatory bay was designed to meet the needs of all patients. The dentist’s office is placed on a corner within the operatory suite, with interior glass to allow for observation. Other staff offices are located in the center of the plan, facilitating access and flow.

The second floor of the building is entirely dedicated to staff space, including a changing area with laundry facilities and shower, and a large, open break room with kitchen, dining and living zones.

The building is served by a geothermal, water source heat pump system. The hydronic system and heat pumps are tied to 9, 400-foot-deep geothermal wells. Heat is removed from the building and transferred into the wellfield in the summer and absorbed from the wellfield and put back into the building during the winter. The system is easy to maintain over time with no boilers, chillers, or cooling towers to maintain and replace.

The Compass Wellness Center in Huntington was created to support the mental and physical well-being of the city’s first responders. Funded through a generous grant from the Bloomberg Foundation, the project was initiated by the City of Huntington to provide a dedicated resource for police, fire, and emergency personnel who have spent years on the front lines of the region’s opioid epidemic.

Edward Tucker Architects designed the center as a restorative, welcoming environment where first responders can decompress, recover, and build resilience. The facility includes dedicated staff offices, a fitness area, yoga studio, wellness lounge, meditation room, meeting room, sauna, and therapy rooms. Thoughtful planning and a calming material palette create a safe haven that prioritizes privacy, mental health, and holistic wellness, supporting those who serve the community every day.

See video below to learn more about the incredible work of the Compass Wellness Center:

The Cabell County Board of Education determined that the Highlawn community would keep its treasured elementary school, and provided a new site within the neighborhood.  The complex nature of utilizing an urban site for a new elementary school presented a network of logistical issues for the project team to navigate, including the demolition of an existing school structure, the closure of a city alley, rerouting of existing utility lines, and the renovation of the existing gymnasium structure. The design concept separated the bus loop, parent drop-off loop, and staff parking and service access, to avoid traffic congestion. The building footprint is a ‘U’ shape that allows for passive security by creating an interior courtyard that contains the playground area. The dining room features a sloping roof form articulated by wooden beams and decking. The Media Center also features a two-story space connecting the first floor library to the second floor STEAM lab.