AIA West Virginia presents 2023 Excellence in Architecture Awards

“I’m continually impressed by how the architecture firms in West Virginia are elevating design in our state,” said Marie McCauley, president of AIA West Virginia. “This annual awards program honors outstanding achievements in all areas of design, construction, and craftsmanship. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to gather as peers and celebrate with our clients and partners. Each of these projects exemplifies how buildings and spaces can have profound impact in their communities and on the lives of the public.”

Silling Architects of Charleston received an Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture for the Kanawha County Public Library and an Honor Award for Excellence in Craftsmanship for the Kanawha County Public Library Legacy Wall. Originally designed and constructed as a federal courthouse and post office in 1911, the modern-day Kanawha County Public Library Main Branch found itself unable to keep up with the evolution of its services in the confines of its building.

By renovating and expanding its century-old space, the design team of Silling and HBM Architects has revived this iconic landmark in downtown Charleston and brought an exciting, fresh new space to serve as the community’s cultural living room and express the library’s stature as a palace for the people. This dynamic transformation features extensive renovations to the existing building, 20,000 square feet of new additions, historic preservation of the exteriors, improved urban greenspace, strategic lighting design, and several public art projects.

BuildingLAB of Fairmont won an Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture for a 2,100- square-foot single-family residence in Bruceton Mills.

The Bruceton residence, situated on a stunning 27-acre landscape, takes full advantage of the natural surroundings. Large windows throughout the home provide a connection to the natural stone outcroppings, ponds, and seasonal changes while its open floor plan creates a sense of connection to its place. The home’s exterior features a striking combination of concrete, metal, and glass which blend to create a modern, industrial aesthetic that complements the surrounding landscape.

Jason Miller, AIA won a Merit Award for Achievement in Architecture for the Martinkat Residence in Mount Clare, WV.

The 7,200 square foot, one-level, single-family residence sits at the highpoint of a vast hillside that provides panoramic views of scenic Appalachian Mountains. Tall glass walls of the house fold back to reveal expansive openings to the outside patio and pool areas. When combined with suspended gas heaters, radiant geothermal heating for the floors, automatic rolling shade devices, and expansive roof overhangs, the residents and their guests can enjoy the property year-round.

Desmone of Morgantown won a Merit Award for Achievement in Architecture for the Locarna Way Residence.

This three-story single-family home in Pittsburgh, PA is new construction and deftly fits three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a garage and a rooftop deck within 2,175 square feet. To make the home feel larger in comparison to the actual size, it features large windows with an open floor plan on the main living floor and main façade; it also has strategically placed windows above beds and working spaces that allow natural light to filter in, while limiting the direct views into the home in a downtown setting.

The Thrasher Group won a Merit Award for Achievement in Architecture for the Doddridge County Early Childhood Learning Academy in West Union, WV.

The new 43,000 square feet Doddridge County Early Childhood Learning Academy serves a very important function as the county’s only early childhood educational facility dedicated exclusively to Pre-K and Kindergarten age children. The bright and playful interior features color-coded corridors, classrooms, and gymnasium while the exterior of the building’s interesting angles and roof lines features different colors and textures that evoke a jumble of building blocks. These thoughtful design choices make the school a place for learning and fun!

Paradigm Architecture of Morgantown was awarded a Citation for Interior Architecture for the Terrace at Tibbs Run.

The West Virginia Botanic Garden’s natural features and developed landscape has made it a destination for the local community and entire region, and with this growth in popularity came the vision for a space to accommodate meetings and weddings. Carefully situated on the wooded hillside, the Terrace at Tibbs Run event venue offers wonderful views of the historic reservoir and basin from the outdoor terraces. The completed facility provides an attractive event space that is both respectful of the mission of the West Virginia Botanic Garden and the beauty of its location.