Mountain Health 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 and needed a refreshed image to promote itself as an attractive venue to artists and the public. The renovations to the building were approached in phases, with the first phase being painting the exterior metal panels. ETA brought in renowned artist Don Pendleton to collaborate on the color selections and design, and to provide graphics reflecting elements of the region’s identity.
The second phase was a complete refresh of the convention center, with modern, bright colors and finishes. The third phase included reimagining the entry plaza to incorporate an exterior event space, tensile fabric shade structure, seating area with fire pit, interactive water feature, landscaping and lighting. At night, during events, the lobby is illuminated, and the plaza becomes an extension of the interior space, creating a bustling, beautiful focal
point for Huntington’s downtown.