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.

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 Nenni Building in Matewan, West Virginia was operated by the Nenni Family for over 100 years until the buildings were purchased by Coalfield Development in 2013. Originally three separate buildings, the project consists of the historic restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of the buildings. The renovations were approached in two phases

To preserve and restore the historically significant structures, the project consisted of adapting them to a new use of commercial space on the ground level and upper story lodging facilities to serve the Southern West Virginia coalfield region’s burgeoning tourism industry, specifically the Hatfield McCoy Recreational Trail System. With shell space on the ground level, and lodging areas on the second level, the interior renovations of the project were carefully considered. The interior objective was to prolong the historic components of the building by maximizing its authenticity, however, still creating a fresh, new space for future occupants. The exterior of the aged building is composed of brick, which will be cleaned and repointed. The original decorative cornices on the buildings have been removed over time, and these will be reconstructed as part of the project. It is paramount that the project maintains the integrity of the buildings; therefore, replaced elements will be as consistent as possible with that of the original units.

Situated on Mate Street in Matewan, WV, the site is located within the Matewan Historic District, deemed a National Historic Landmark through the United States Department of the Interior National Park Service. The site allows both locals and visitors to reflect upon not only the history of the building, but the history of the entire town of Matewan.

The renovations to Hite Saunders Elementary School consisted of a new roof, sprinkler system, HVAC system, lighting, flooring, and new exterior doors. A high efficiency HVAC system uses 30-40% less energy than conventional systems and improves indoor air quality for occupants by providing fresh air. Windows and glass are designed to minimize heat loss / heat gain, and the roof insulation’s R-value is doubled, saving maintenance and operational costs and helping to reduce noise in classrooms during rain events.

Inefficient and noisy existing through-wall heating and cooling units were replaced with four pipe fan coil units suspended in the ceilings. All wall penetrations were patched to match the existing masonry, creating a seamless finish. Existing restroom renovations were included as bid alternates, as were new flooring materials throughout the school. The Architect worked with the Owner to structure the bids into separate bid items to allow the Owner to take advantage of funding for HVAC, window, and door replacement.

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 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 Herd Zone Team Store creates a year-round retail point-of-sale location ideally situated within Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards (football) Stadium.

Constructed from the ground up, the 2,400 sf store is situated beneath and carefully threaded between the stadium’s main structure. Its position maximizes visibility and ease of access when games are not being played, but during home games an additional, stadium side entrance is opened to permit better customer access and flow. The store also includes a window for walk-up ticket sales that helps increase retail traffic on game days. While the existing structure’s columns, beams, and bracing could not be used due to differential loading conditions, ETA utilized them to visually frame the store’s entries without directly connecting to any of the stadium’s structure. Store sales exceeded expectations during its first year’s operation, being especially robust on game days.

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.