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.

The design team was challenged to renovate an existing, vacant building into an accessible service hub, bringing together behavioral, social and medical resources from the community to deliver care to individuals in every stage of addiction treatment and recovery.

The outpatient medical facility serves as a single regional referral point to assess patients following discharge from local emergency rooms and inpatient detox units and by referral from quick response and other emergency medical response teams.

The project’s program included a waiting area, children’s playroom, on-site pharmacy, clinical area, group therapy rooms, offices and staff meeting areas.

The clinical space included a small lab, blood draw area, nurse station, and exam rooms.

The design services for the project included assisting the client with the selection and purchase of furnishings and signage, creating a cohesive design palette and supporting the functional needs for each space.

Our firm worked with Marshall University and Sodexo Food Service to give a fresh face to the cafeteria and create new dining experiences for the students and faculty. There were multiple retail brands in the space including a deli, stone hearth pizza station, American cuisine grill, and Mongolian grill. The dining space was laid out to create an urban feel to allow the users to choose different “neighborhoods” to dine or study. The project was completed in 2011 with a $1,100,000 budget.

Our firm worked in conjunction with Marshall University, Sodexo Food Services, and Starbuck’s Coffee to create an interior community environment for the students and faculty. This was a multiple stage retail and food service project to allow each renovated area to not impact the function of the others while under construction. The end product seamlessly ties together the retail themes to create an inviting space to dine, converse, or study. The Starbucks was completed in 2009 with a $350,000 budget. The cafeteria and dining space was completed in 2010 with an $800,000 budget.

WV State University acquired the Dr. Hazo W. Carter Jr. Integrated Research and Extension Building (formerly the F. Ray Power Building), which had been vacant for some time, and rehabilitated the structure as their new Agricultural Research Station.

The IREB was previously a part of the WV Division of Rehabilitative Services Complex, which was vacant for many years prior to becoming part of the West Virginia State University campus. The 33,300 sf building was renovated into an Agricultural Research Station, including wet labs, offices, and multipurpose instructional spaces.

The project was completed over four phases. The first phase consisted of providing temporary electrical power, lighting, and general clean-up of existing interior spaces consisting primarily of offices and related support spaces. Phase two consisted of selective demolition of existing interior spaces. The work was a preparatory phase to facilitate building evaluation and eventual renovations. Hazardous materials abatement was also completed by the Owner at this point.

Phases three and four consisted of roof replacement, storefront window replacement, interior walls, doors, interior finishes, chemical fume hoods, walk-in refrigerator, commercial and laboratory grade casework. The Systems scope of new work included Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, and IT/Data infrastructure.

Marshall University chose to relocate its growing School of Pharmacy to its health science campus in Huntington, in addition to developing graduate housing. The creation of what is essentially a living learning community for medical students is a valuable recruiting and retention tool for the university.

The 50,000 square foot school of pharmacy program includes a variety of learning environments, including active learning classrooms, simulation learning labs, administrative offices, and research space. The classrooms were designed with moveable furniture, demountable walls and built-in technology for maximum flexibility. The research labs, previously siloed, are now co-located into one large space to encourage research partnerships. Quiet study pockets are located at various instances in the building. Some smaller learning spaces were designed to multi function as study rooms after school hours – maximizing efficiency while providing for all needs in the building. On all floors, the learning spaces and administrative spaces are organized along a primary causeway with writable surfaces and seating to maximize collaboration and engagement between faculty, students and staff.

In collaboration with Perkins + Will and Signet Real estate.

Marshall Health Network Arena is a vibrant performance venue and a cornerstone of the downtown business district in Huntington, West Virginia. The circa 1980 structure was in need of attention to deferred maintenance, as well as a refreshed image that would position the arena as an attractive and inviting venue for artists, event organizers, and the public. Edward Tucker Architects approached the renovations as a multi-phase transformation, addressing both the building’s physical needs and the overall experience of the arena.

The initial phase focused on revitalizing the building’s exterior through the painting of its metal panels. ETA brought in renowned artist Don Pendleton to collaborate on the color selections and design, incorporating bold graphics inspired by the region’s identity and giving the arena a distinctive new presence within downtown Huntington. The second phase brought that renewed energy inside with a complete refresh of the convention center. Modern finishes, bright colors, and updated materials transformed the spaces into a more welcoming and contemporary environment capable of accommodating a wide range of events. The third phase reimagined the arena’s entry plaza as an extension of the venue itself. The redesigned outdoor space incorporates an event area, tensile fabric shade structure, flexible seating, a fire pit, interactive water feature, landscaping, and new lighting. At night, particularly during events, the illuminated lobby draws activity towards the plaza, transforming it into a lively extension of the interior and creating a bustling focal point for Huntington’s downtown.

Phase four continued the transformation with significant interior renovations and upgrades to the arena’s restrooms, concession stands, signage and wayfinding, and artist’s dressing rooms. The improvements substantially increased restroom capacity for the public, while providing a more cohesive, contemporary aesthetic throughout the facility. Upgraded spaces for touring artists and performers also improved the behind-the-scenes experience, creating a more comfortable and professional environment that helps position Marshall Health Network Arena as a venue artists and touring productions will want to return to time and time again. The fifth phase focused on the long-term performance and safety of the facility. ETA assisted with the renovation of the existing roof, improving its durability and protecting the building for years to come. The arena’s rigging capabilities were also upgraded and expanded, increasing its flexibility to accommodate a broader range of events and productions while improving safety and comfort for performers, event crews, and guests.

Together, these phased improvements have transformed Marshall Health Network Arena into a more vibrant, functional, and welcoming destination. This long-term investment has helped strengthen the arena’s role as both a competitive regional entertainment venue, as well as a vital anchor for downtown Huntington.

Edward Tucker Architects partnered with Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church to deliver a multi-level interior renovation focused on clarity, functionality, and community connection. The project repositions key gathering and worship spaces to better support both congregational use and broader outreach.

The main lounge was reimagined as a flexible, welcoming environment that encourages interaction before and after services while accommodating a range of community activities. The adjoining chapel was refreshed to create a cohesive and intimate worship setting.

At the basement level, targeted space planning strategies improved circulation, efficiency, and overall usability. Accessibility was a central driver of the design, resulting in the integration of an interior ramp and motorized lift to provide equitable access throughout.

Our team also guided furniture selection and procurement, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic aligned with the church’s vision. The completed project delivers a warm, inclusive environment that enhances daily use and strengthens the church’s presence within the community.

Marshall Health renovated an existing office building to expand their services to the Teays Valley community in 2017.

The design team was challenged to convert an existing 51,000 sf office building into an outpatient medical facility. The program included a central lab and x-ray suite, along with general adult medicine, pediatrics, a women’s center, medical and surgical specialties, cardiology, neurology, endoscopy, and a sleep lab. Shared waiting areas and registration were provided on each floor, and a cafe was provided on the ground level. The new use for the existing building also necessitated an addition with two elevators, and a patient drop-off canopy.

The design team coordinated all aspects of the project, from space planning and construction documents to furniture and finish selections. The project was delivered for approximately $105 per square foot.

Click below for additional information about the President’s Residence.

The Marshall University President’s House