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.